CLIMB Works

CLIMB Works

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

A fully guided mountaintop zipline tour that packs eleven adventure elements into about two hours, on a property surrounded on three sides by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This isn't a single zip down a hillside. It's a progression of side-by-side ziplines, suspension skybridges, a controlled rappel, and a UTV ride to the summit — with enough mountain scenery along the way to fill a memory card. Reservations required, and advance booking is strongly recommended.

Staying nearby? Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, minutes from the trailhead.

The mountaintop tour

The signature offering is a single guided experience running about two hours, through eleven distinct elements. Your feet won't touch the ground for most of it.

The UTV ride up

The tour starts at the base with a six-passenger UTV ride up the mountain — 500 feet of elevation over a rugged mile and a half of forest trail. It sets the tone for everything above.

Side-by-side ziplines

The signature element. Dual lines send guests soaring through the mountains alongside each other — under, over, and through the canopy — with views of the Smokies in every direction. Racing a friend or a family member changes the experience entirely.

Skybridges

Multiple suspension bridges cross high above the forest floor between zipline platforms, with panoramic views of the national park. Equal parts thrilling and scenic.

The controlled rappel

The finishing element, and the exclamation point for first-timers and experienced adventurers alike.

The guides

CLIMB Works calls their guides the secret sauce, and the guest reviews back it up. Whether you arrive nervous or pumped up, they meet you where you are — encouraging, educational, funny, and genuinely invested in the tour going well. First-timers consistently credit the guides as the reason it exceeded expectations.

The tour includes no hand-braking, small groups, and educational elements about the Smoky Mountain ecosystem along the way.

The setting

The property sits on Branam Hollow Road just outside downtown Gatlinburg, surrounded on three sides by the national park. The elevation, the old-growth canopy, and the unobstructed park views make the scenery as much a part of the experience as the ziplines. In fall, the color visible from the platforms is extraordinary.

Before you book

• Duration — plan on roughly two hours for the full tour
• What to wear — comfortable clothing for the weather and closed-toe shoes, which are required. Secure any cameras or devices before the tour starts
• Rain or shine — tours operate in light rain, which is part of what makes the Smoky Mountain ecosystem what it is. Severe weather like thunderstorms or high winds may mean a reschedule or refund
• No experience necessary — the tour is built for first-timers and experienced adventurers alike, and the guides handle everything
• Small groups — a deliberate choice that keeps the pace comfortable and the experience personal
• Photography — professional photo packages are available, and secured personal cameras and GoPros are welcome

Hours and location

Tours run Monday through Saturday, morning through afternoon. Closed Sundays. Hours and availability vary by season — confirm current tour times and book at climbworks.com.

Tips for a better tour

• Book as early as you can. Peak season fills fast, and fall foliage weekends fill first — those are also when the views from the platforms are at their best
• Arrive on time. Tours depart on schedule, and late arrivals may forfeit the reservation
• Fall is the season for it. Color across the ridges with the national park as the backdrop, seen from a platform in the canopy, is hard to match
• Dress in layers. It runs cooler at elevation than in town, especially spring and fall mornings
• Don't overthink the nerves. First-timer nerves are expected, and the guides are unusually good at handling them. The most enthusiastic reviews come from people who were nervous going in

Nearby

CLIMB Works sits just outside downtown Gatlinburg, convenient to everything on the Parkway. See our things to do guide for more.

• Anakeesta — another mountaintop adventure with zip lines, a treetop skywalk, and the Astra Lumina walk after dark
• Ober Gatlinburg — Tennessee's only ski area and a year-round adventure park; a natural companion for an outdoor day
• Gatlinburg SkyPark — North America's longest pedestrian cable bridge
• Crockett's Breakfast Camp — fuel up before heading up the mountain
• Alum Cave Trail — one of the best hikes in the Smokies, twenty minutes from downtown
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the entrance is minutes from downtown, and CLIMB Works is bordered by the park on three sides

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation?

Yes — CLIMB Works operates by reservation only. Book in advance at climbworks.com. Walk-up availability isn't guaranteed.

How long is the tour?

Roughly two hours from start to finish.

Do I need prior experience?

No. The tour is fully guided and built for all experience levels. First-timers are welcome, and the guides are specifically trained to make it approachable regardless of how you're feeling about it.

Are there weight or age requirements?

Yes. Current requirements are on the CLIMB Works site — review them before booking to confirm everyone in your group is eligible.

What if it rains?

Tours run in light rain. In severe weather like thunderstorms or high winds, tours may be rescheduled or refunded.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing for the weather and closed-toe shoes. Layers are worth it — it's cooler at elevation than in town.

Is photography allowed?

Yes. Professional photo packages are available, and secured personal cameras and GoPros are welcome on the tour.

Is it open year-round?

Tours run Monday through Saturday year-round, with seasonal variation in times. Confirm current availability at climbworks.com.

Is it good for kids?

For children who meet the weight and age requirements, yes — it's a genuinely memorable first zipline experience. Check the current requirements before booking, since they're the deciding factor.