Want to see the Great Smoky Mountains from a different angle while having a heart-pumping thrill of a good time while you’re on your Tennessee vacation? Head to Legacy Mountain Ziplines for miles of fast and exciting fun.
Four reasons to zip through the mountains at Legacy: Unique and fun way to see the Smoky Mountains, Family Friendly, Outdoor excitement and a great way to enjoy a day with a group of friends, family, a sports team or a work team.
First the FUN and a little education. What is ziplining?
“At their most basic, ziplines are simply cables connected between two points that slope downward. Passengers are fitted with a body harness that clips into the cable via a pulley.
These pulleys are designed to reduce friction, allowing the rider to accelerate down the line at grin-inducing speeds,” is the definition from Zipkokanee.com when talking the physics of ziplining.
The canopy zipline was invested in the jungles of Costa Rica, according to many accounts, including a story in the Tico Times. This zipline was invented in Sarapiquí in the 1970s by a U.S. biologist named Donald Perry to study the rain forest canopy. Eighteen years later, a Canadian entrepreneur named Darren Hreniuk opened the first canopy tour to the public in Monteverde, and then patented the technology.
Grin-inducing speeds!
Physics dictates that the more you weigh, the faster you go. Gravity guarantees you will be pulled downward along the line, according to Zipkokanee. “Many modern ziplines can attain speeds in excess of 100km/h, however, the speed you travel at will be determined by your body mass – that’s the weight and speed; slope of the line – the steeper the line, the higher the velocity; and length of line – the longer the line, the more time you’ll have to achieve maximum speed (to a point).”
It’s like you’re flying but no feathers required. Check out this YouTube video at Legacy Mountain.
Legacy Mountain has SEVEN ziplines and says, “You will love the feeling of flying through the air at speeds up to 50 mph on 4.5 miles of lines up to 500 feet high.”
Family Friendly
You don’t have to be a certain height to have fun at Legacy Mountain – you just have to be at least 3 years old. You can weigh up to 275 pounds.
There’s fun for the whole family and for groups of friends too. Children under 16 tandem-ride with an experienced guide or “confident and responsible parent.” Those 16 and older may zipline alone. The views are breathtaking whether on the zipline or one of three rope bridges!
Outdoor Excitement
This YouTube video is almost a virtual experience.
Groups
Ziplining is built for groups! There’s a sense of shared accomplishment; you can work through challenges as a team; build individual confidence; improve strength and athleticism; overcome a fear or obstacle with others support; AND it’s just a fun time together.
Up to 12 people are in each group. Two guides are with you on each line. When you are not riding the zipline and on the towers you are attached by a safety line at all times.
Each tour takes about 2 1/2 hours at the tour. It takes about 20 minutes to complete orientation and training. If you take The Canopy tour, that takes about 2 hours to complete while you ride all seven ziplines for a total of 4.5 miles through the trees.
Special rates are available for families and groups over 15 people. Give Legacy Mountain Ziplines a call at 888-869-0289 for additional group information. Legacy Mountain Ziplines encourages guests to book in advance as the tours sell out daily.
Check out this March 28 Facebook review of Legacy Mountain Ziplines:
“I took my family on a afternoon zip line adventure and let me tell you we had the best time ever. The guides and the staff were super friendly and fun. I had been zip lining before but nothing like the Tennessee mountains. The views were breath taking and the zip lines were insanely fun and very safe.”
Speaking of safety …
Safety and Zipline ABCs
Legacy Mountain Ziplines are made from materials from a trusted ACCT
Association for Challenge Course Technology) firm “that has been part of the challenge course industry since the 1970s.” The ziplines undergo routine inspections and Legacy Mountain says it chooses its employees carefully trains them at the highest level.
Zipline tours are not run in the event of high winds or lightning. Legacy Mountain makes attempts to contact those with reservations to reschedule before they have headed to the mountain. If your adventure is canceled due to inclement weather, you can opt to reschedule or get a rain check for another time.
Before visitors get on the course, they go through a safety and explanatory course. A guide will fit each person securely into a seat harness. Visitors will wear a helmet, gloves, a trolley system, which is what moves you throughout the cables, and 2 lanyards that have safety clips on them.
Wear comfortable clothing – like you are going on a hike or to the gym. Skirts are not permitted unless wearing shorts or pants underneath. No dangling jewelry. Anything lose such as scarves should be removed before going to the course. Close-toed shoes are required, and long hair should be tied back. Take everything out of your pockets, including cell phones, so you don’t lose them – there’s no climbing down the mountain to find them. And where would you even start looking?
Temperatures can drop when you’re going on a zipline through the Smoky Mountains, so dress for the weather. Legacy Mountain Ziplines suggests thick socks, a warm jacket that can zip up, a warm winter hat, thermal underwear, and even a face mask can be helpful, especially in winter months.
Here’s another Facebook review from winter – Nov. 4, 2018:
“Third time ziplining for my husband and I (both in our 60s) and THE best experience ever!!! 7 great long, high lines with the best view of these beautiful Smoky Mountains which were in peak color! We are from Panama City FL and 3 weeks ago went thru the devastation in our town from Hurricane Michael. This was a much-needed fun time! Our guides, Cody and Brian, were so helpful and kept us laughing the whole time! We will definitely go again and will request the same guides! Highly recommend this Zipline!! (Hi to Cody and Brian from Creme Brulee!)”
https://www.facebook.com/legacymountainziplines/videos/268098337427292/
Weather
According to the National Park Service, by mid-April the weather is usually milder. Daytime temperatures often reach the 70s and occasionally the 80s. Below freezing temperatures at night are uncommon in the lower elevations but still occur higher up. April averages over four inches of rain, usually in the form of afternoon showers. May is warmer, with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s. May rainfall averages about 4.5 inches.
June through August: Summer in the Smokies means heat, haze, and humidity. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common. Temperatures increase through the period with July and August afternoon highs in the 90s in the lower elevations. Evening lows are usually comfortable with readings in the 60s and 70s. On Mount Le Conte (6,593′ elevation), temperatures above 80 degrees are extremely rare.
Tip hint: it is common industry practice to give a tip to your zipline guide. If they have provided you with the experience that you were hoping for, it is normal for a guide to receive a 10 percent to 15 percent tip per person.
More questions and answers about clothing, timing and safety can be found here.
Reservations Recommended
Reservations are not required but highly recommended as the tours sell out daily. Find Legacy Mountain Ziplines 15 minutes from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge at 2431 Upper Middle Creek Road in Sevierville, 865-774-3330 or 888-869-0289.
Even better, American Patriot Getaways has discount tickets available.
A Cabin for Every Adventure and Budget
After you spend a few hours on a zip line exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, head back to relax in your nearby mountain cabin. Relax in a hot tub, enjoy the sunset from your deck or patio or make dinner in your well-equipped kitchen. See APG Gatlinburg cabins here and Pigeon Forge cabins here.
Want help booking your Smoky Mountain vacation and all the fun, including ziplining, that goes with it? Contact American Patriot Getaways at 888-892-1385, where we have a rental cabin near the national park for every size group and every budget.
Be sure to check out all of our vacation guides for planning your trip. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest area information!
Relax and enjoy all that nature in the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer.
