The Only Ziplines With Gorge Views

New River Gorge Zipline Tour

Peregrine Falcons are the fastest animal on Earth.  They dive as fast as 180 miles per hour. The New River Gorge is a home to a rehabilitation program for these beautiful birds.What’s our point?  There are many ways to view the Gorge, from rafting, to climbing, hiking and biking, but a really unique way is from the vantage point of a bird. And while we can’t guarantee you’d beat a Peregrine Falcon in a race, with our dual zips, we certainly can guarantee that you’ll have a good time trying to beat a friend or family member. 

The only zipline tour that runs through sections of the National Park with views of the river and the historical town of Thurmond, our New River Gorge Zipline Tour, boasts 9 ziplines and two sky bridges. Zips that go as high as over a hundred feet in the air with distances of up to 800 feet. And with our gravity based braking system,  it’s likely the closest you will get to feeling free as a bird. Soar through the gorge with friends and family and take in the views from this unique vantage point! 

Quick Facts:

• • 9 ziplines + 2 sky bridges
  • Lines range from 150–800+ feet
  • Dual zips on every line (race your friends)
  • Open year-round

• Minimum age: 8 years old

• Weight Requirements: 70 pounds to 250 pounds

Why This Experience

This isn’t just a zipline, it’s a full journey through the Gorge. From scenic overlooks to high-speed runs above the forest, every section offers a different perspective of the mountains, river, and surrounding landscape.

With gravity-based braking, you can focus on the ride with no gloves or hand-braking required.

Trip Highlights

• Cliffside Ziplines: 9 total lines with sweeping Gorge views
• Dual Lines: Race side-by-side with friends
• Sky Bridges: Suspension bridges high above a mountain stream
• Scenic Overlooks: Views at launch points and platforms
• Headrush Moments: Options to zip forward or backward on select lines

What to Expect

After check-in and a short shuttle ride, your guides will get you fitted with harnesses, helmets, and safety equipment before starting the course.

You’ll move from platform to platform, riding a series of ziplines ranging from shorter scenic runs to long, high-speed stretches soaring above the trees. Along the way, you’ll cross sky bridges, take in views of the Gorge, and experience a mix of adrenaline and scenery.

Your guides will show you how to position your body to control your speed using the hands-free gravity braking system.

Trip Tips

• All ziplines are dual lines so you can race your friends to the finish
• Gravity braking system allows you to adjust speed by body position
• Waivers are required for all participants
• Create the Full ACE Experience: On-site lodging and meal options are available to keep you closer to the adventure

What to Wear

• Closed-toe shoes (required)
• Longer shorts or pants recommended
• Long hair should be pulled back

What to Bring

• Water bottle and snacks
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Personal prescription medication
• Small camera that can clip to your harness

What’s Included

• Harnesses, helmets, and all required safety equipment
• Friendly, professional zipline guides
• Shuttle to and from the zipline course

Here’s a rundown of our new river gorge zipline tours!

Zip 1: Parallel Plunge: We kick off our zipline course on a dual-line that launches you and your friends a whopping 490­-feet through the trees on the rim of the New River Gorge. This line offers you your first glimpse of historic Thurmond, an old railroad town with a rich history and legendary characters; it is the only surviving town in the Gorge. Great overlook here of the gorge, mountains, and Thurmond. You may even see a train rolling through Thurmond.

Zip 2: Cruise Control: This 380-­foot zip keeps the adrenaline flowing. Located on the lip of the New River Gorge, this line offers spectacular river and mountain views. From Zip 2’s dismount platform, you can see Jump Rock on the Upper New River, a guest favorite on ACE rafting trips. Another great overlook of the gorge.

Zip 3: Rigor Mortis: A guest and guide favorite! This zip is 680-­feet long and over 100­-feet above the ground. This line is also one of the fastest, reaching speeds of up to 40 miles­-per-­hour! White water rafters on the New River can see you zipping through the trees far above them, so don’t forget to wave. Best view of the gorge while zipping – make sure to look to your right and take in the panoramic view of the trees, mountains, and river!

Zip 4: Mighty Mouse: Small but mighty, this line is over 200-­feet long and 40­-feet high. It offers moderate speeds, giving you a great view into the Rush Run Canyon and the Gorge.

Zip 5: Sunshine: This zip offers some of the most stunning views on the course, taking you flying on a 200­-foot breathtaking ride from White Wall to Natural Arch rock formations. Clinging to the cliffs nearly 60-­feet in the air, you will pass an old Hemlock, affectionately known as Graybeard. This zip was the site of our world record zip-line challenge in 2012!

At the dismount, make sure to get a picture on the platform with the incredible view in the background, it’s one of the best!

Zip 6: The Racer: Zip Backwards if you dare! You can choose to zip forwards or take a leap of faith and zip backward! This was our original, and only, dual zip. Due to its popularity, it was the inspiration for our complete course overhaul, making all of our zips tandem.

Wobble Bridge: A fun swinging bridge about one-­and-­a-­half-feet wide, this 150-­foot long wooden bridge gives adventurers a change of pace with unique views of their surroundings. It does wobble, but it has rope and cable railings on both sides. Don’t worry. You’ll be clipped into the safety cable overhead the entire time.

Zip 7: Boulderdash: This is a crazy 525­-foot “blind” zip. You can’t see the other side from the launch! A great thrill as you zip to who knows where… specially calibrated to maximize your speed this unique dual zip has two settings. One zip is for those weighing 130 pounds or less while the other zip is for those who weigh more than 130 pounds.

Zip 8: Terminal Velocity: After a short hike (a tenth of a mile with a sustained moderate uphill grade) we come to the longest and fastest zip of the day. Everything else has been a warm­up for this monster. At over 800-­feet long and over 120-­feet off the ground, this zip will blow you away as you soar across the beautiful Rush Run Canyon. There is no way to describe the pure thrill of this one. You are going to have to experience it yourself.

Sky Bridge: This graceful suspension bridge is over 250­-feet long (almost a football field), high above the cascading Rush Run Creek (a native trout stream), providing breathtaking views of the surrounding forested mountains. Maybe it’s because it seems like you are floating in the air, but for some reason, everyone seems to whisper as they cross this bridge?

Drop Tower: At the end of the bridge you come to a really cool 55­-foot tall, dual decked tree house that marks the end of your journey. Take your time as you enjoy more great views and get ready for the final zip…

Zip 9: The Plunge: The final zip is one of the most unique and thrilling. You’ll have the option to take on this zip forward or backward! You’ll drop off the edge for that momentary free­-fall feeling before plunging the final 45-­feet to the ground. It is an awesome ending to a great day of zipping. A short hike to the bus ends your incredible adventure of soaring through the trees. ACE’s New River Gorge zipline tours? An experience you will never forget.