The Best Gatlinburg Zipline Courses

There are three zipline operations actually located in Gatlinburg — not Pigeon Forge, not Sevierville, but in or directly above Gatlinburg itself. Each offers a genuinely different experience: a multi-line mountain tour with an ATV ride to the top, a side-by-side dueling course at a mountain-top attraction, and the highest elevation launch of any zipline in the region. Here's what to know about each one.

CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains

CLIMB Works at 155 Branam Hollow Road is the most comprehensive zipline operation in Gatlinburg — a dedicated outdoor adventure company with two distinct tour options on the same mountain. The Mountaintop Zipline Tour is a two-hour experience that includes six zipline runs, four sky bridges, a rappel onto the final platform, and an ATV ride to the top of the mountain. Rated easy-moderate and open to ages seven and up, it's the tour for visitors who want the full vertical experience — elevation gain, mountain views, and enough variety to make the two hours feel eventful. The Treetop Zipline Tour is a slightly longer (two to two-and-a-half hours), easier tour through the forest canopy for the same age group, rated easy — the better choice for first-time zipliners or families with children who want to ease into the activity without the ATV component. Plan to arrive at the historic barn check-in at least 40 minutes before your booked time.

Anakeesta's Dueling Zipline Adventure

Anakeesta is a mountain-top attraction above Gatlinburg accessible by the Crystal Express gondola (a four-minute gondola ride) or the Ridge Rambler (a 20-minute guided vehicle). Its Dueling Zipline Adventure runs two side-by-side parallel ziplines from the same elevated launch platform, which means two riders can zip simultaneously and race each other across the gap — the format that makes this one genuinely different from a standard single-line course. The zipline is integrated into the broader Anakeesta experience rather than operating as a standalone destination. Most visitors combine it with the mountain's other offerings: the treetop skywalk, Astra Lumina at night, dining at the summit, and the views over Gatlinburg and the national park. The zipline can be booked as an add-on to Anakeesta admission; confirm current ticketing at anakeesta.com.

The Cloud Catcher at Ober Gatlinburg

The Cloud Catcher Zipline at Ober Gatlinburg opened in August 2024 from the top of Mount Harrison — the highest elevation launch point of any zipline in the Smoky Mountains region. The launch sits at the Sky Village scenic deck on Mount Harrison, which is also the highest scenic viewing area in Gatlinburg outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park itself. Getting to the Cloud Catcher is part of the experience: the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway carries riders 2.1 miles from downtown Gatlinburg up the mountain, making it one of the more dramatic approaches to a zipline in the area. The Cloud Catcher operates year-round as part of the Ober Gatlinburg adventure park, which also includes skiing and snowboarding in winter, a mountain coaster, ice skating, and the downhill mountain biking park. Confirm current session availability and pricing at obergatlinburg.com.

Frequently asked questions

Which Gatlinburg zipline is best for first-timers?

CLIMB Works' Treetop Zipline Tour is the most structured introduction — a guided, easy-rated forest canopy experience with trained staff throughout the course, designed explicitly for people new to ziplining. Anakeesta's Dueling Zipline is shorter and accessible for most visitors. The Cloud Catcher at Ober Gatlinburg is a single high-elevation run that's thrilling but brief — a good choice if you want the elevation experience without committing to a multi-hour tour.

Which is the longest or most intense zipline experience?

CLIMB Works' Mountaintop Tour covers the most ground — six lines, four sky bridges, and about two hours on the mountain. For sheer elevation and launch height, the Cloud Catcher at Ober Gatlinburg launches from the highest point, with views across Gatlinburg and the national park. Anakeesta's Dueling Zipline is the most social — side-by-side racing format makes it the choice for groups or couples.