Zipline the Goliath in The Smoky Mountains

The big draw here is scale. Five ziplines reach speeds of about 60 mph, with one run stretching more than half a mile and the highest point rising over 500 feet, higher than the Statue of Liberty. You get wide views toward Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg while moving fast enough to make the scenery feel wonderfully brief.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the guides room to help people who are nervous. I also like that the experience builds confidence over several runs instead of asking you to face one giant zipline with no warm-up. The main catch is the strict 100 to 250 pound weight range, and everyone is weighed at check-in.

Key points to know before you book

• Five major zipline runs: Expect several rides, not one short sample line.
• Fast and high: Speeds reach about 60 mph, with the highest point above 500 feet.
• Small group size: The experience allows no more than 10 participants.
• First-timer friendly guidance: Guides give calm instructions and help you manage the nerves.
• Two-hour visit: The full activity takes about two hours and returns to the starting point.
• Strict age and weight rules: You must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 100 and 250 pounds.

Five ziplines, one big rush

The Goliath tour is built around five of the fastest and longest ziplines in the country. That description tells you what kind of day this is: not a gentle ride through the trees, but a high-speed outing with serious height and distance.

The numbers matter. A speed of 60 mph is enough to make each launch feel like an event. A line longer than half a mile gives you time to settle into the ride, look around, and understand how far above the ground you are. At more than 500 feet high, the experience also gives you a broad view rather than a close-up look at the forest.

You should expect the first run to carry the most nerves. After that, the sequence of several lines works in your favor. You learn how the equipment feels, how to follow the guide’s directions, and how to enjoy the ride instead of simply waiting for it to end.

This is a good setup for a first zipline experience, provided you can meet the age, weight, and fitness requirements. One person described it as a first zip and found the staff patient and the group size comfortable. That matters more than flashy statistics when you are standing at the launch platform.

What the two-hour visit feels like

The tour begins at Foxfire Adventure Park, at 3757 Thomas Lane in Sevierville. The activity ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The supplied timing is about two hours. That includes the practical parts of the outing as well as the zipline rides, though the exact pace can vary. A group of up to 10 gives the staff a manageable number of people to guide through the course, and it keeps the experience from feeling like a large amusement-park queue.

You should plan for a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity is not described as a hike, but ziplining can involve standing, walking around the course, and following instructions at several points. One account also combined ziplining with hiking and time spent around the property, especially during a December visit.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile, which keeps the arrival process simple. Bring your phone if you need booking details at check-in, but do not assume the tour includes a video record of your rides.

The guides make the difference

The equipment and height may get the attention, but the guides shape the quality of this activity. The strongest praise focuses on their calm manner, clear direction, and care with safety.

That is especially important if you are worried about your first launch. A guide who explains what to do, watches the timing, and helps you stay calm can turn a frightening platform into a manageable challenge. The guidance also becomes useful on later lines, when you are moving faster and need to pay attention to landing instructions.

I would not book this expecting a completely independent thrill ride. You will need to listen, follow directions, and work with the staff. That is a good trade for an activity this high and fast.

The group size helps here. With no more than 10 participants, the guides can pay attention to individual comfort levels. The people who need extra reassurance are less likely to feel rushed, while those ready to move along should not be stuck in a very large crowd.

No guide names are provided, so I cannot tell you who will lead your particular group. What you can reasonably expect is a guide-led experience with an emphasis on safety and encouragement.

The views from Sevierville to Gatlinburg

The course gives you views toward Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. From the highest sections, you are looking out across the area from more than 500 feet above the ground, which gives the ride its sense of scale.

The views are not a separate sightseeing stop. They arrive while you are moving at speed, so you may only get brief chances to look around. On the longer lines, you should have more time to take in the mountains and valley before the landing comes into view.

That combination is the real appeal. You are not simply looking at the Smokies from a platform, and you are not simply riding a fast cable. The scenery and the motion compete for your attention. If you want a quiet mountain panorama, this is the wrong format. If you like your views with a strong pulse, it fits well.

The setting also seems to offer more than the zipline itself. The park is described as being along a riverbed surrounded by mountains. There is a covered bridge where you can tie a wish ribbon, plus an apple wine shop with tastings. These details may give you reasons to spend extra time on the property before or after the main activity, although the tour details do not state that wine tasting is included in the zipline price.

Safety rules that can decide your booking

The age minimum is 10. The weight range is 100 to 250 pounds, and you will be weighed at check-in. This is not a minor footnote. If you are close to either limit, confirm that you qualify before paying.

You also need a moderate physical fitness level. The available information does not provide a detailed accessibility policy, so you should contact the provider directly if mobility, balance, or other physical concerns may affect your participation.

The weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The rules are sensible for a high-speed activity, but they also make this less flexible than a typical sightseeing stop. You cannot simply show up and expect to participate if you fall outside the age or weight requirements.

Is $119.95 a fair price?

At $119.95 per person, this is not a casual add-on for a family day in the Smokies. The price makes more sense when you consider the number and size of the rides: five lines, speeds up to 60 mph, a run longer than half a mile, and views from above 500 feet.

You are also paying for staff support throughout a technical activity. For a first-time participant, patient instruction and a small group can be part of the value. A cheaper option with one brief line may not give you the same amount of ride time or the same feeling of progression.

Still, the value depends on your appetite for height and speed. If you are likely to spend the whole outing tense and unable to enjoy the views, the price will feel high. If you want a major adrenaline activity and can meet the requirements, the several-run format makes the cost easier to justify.

The price does not appear to include a recorded souvenir. One person specifically wished for cameras or a video option. Take that into account if you care about capturing the experience. The supplied information does not mention photo or video packages.

What to do around the park

You may want to allow extra time before leaving the property. The area includes mountain surroundings, a riverbed setting, a covered bridge, and an apple wine shop with tastings.

The covered bridge sounds like a pleasant, low-key contrast to the zipline. You can tie a wish ribbon there, giving your visit a small personal ritual without adding another high-energy activity. The apple wine shop offers a way to slow down after the rides, though anyone drinking should plan responsibly and follow the provider’s arrangements.

Hiking may also be part of a longer visit to the property, but it should not be confused with the stated two-hour zipline activity. The information confirms that people have combined ziplining with hiking and walking around the grounds, not that a specific hike is included in every booking.

That distinction is useful. Book the Goliath tour for the five ziplines. Treat the other park features as possible extras, not guaranteed parts of your package.

Who will enjoy Goliath most?

This tour suits adults, families with children age 10 and older, and first-time zipliners who want strong support from guides. It also works for experienced thrill seekers who care about speed, height, and long runs more than a quiet nature outing.

You should book it if you enjoy a challenge that gets easier with repetition. The first line may test your nerves, but the following runs give you a chance to improve and relax.

You may want to skip it if you dislike heights, cannot meet the weight range, or want a low-effort attraction with flexible weather plans. The requirement for moderate fitness and the chance of weather cancellation make this a more committed activity than a short scenic stop.

The group limit of 10 is a good fit for families or small friend groups. If your party is larger, the group may be split, since the maximum applies to the activity rather than guaranteeing one large private group.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The cut-off uses local time. Since the activity depends on good weather, a provider cancellation for poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

The experience is commonly booked about 14 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date will sell out, but it is a useful sign that you should avoid waiting until the last minute if your schedule is fixed.

Should you book the Goliath zipline?

Book it if you want a substantial Smoky Mountain thrill ride rather than a short introduction to ziplining. The five-line format, high elevation, long runs, small group limit, and supportive guide approach give you a full two-hour activity for the price.

I would especially recommend it to a first-timer who feels nervous but still wants to try. The several runs let you gain confidence, while the guides can help you through the parts that feel most intimidating.

Think twice if you are outside the 100 to 250 pound range, under 10, or uncomfortable with a moderate physical demand. For everyone else, Goliath offers a clear payoff: fast rides, huge views, and enough time in the air to make the visit feel like a real Smoky Mountain adventure.

FAQ

Where does the Goliath zipline tour start?

It starts at Foxfire Adventure Park, 3757 Thomas Lane, Sevierville, Tennessee 37876.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Foxfire Adventure Park.

How long does the zipline experience take?

The experience lasts about two hours.

How many ziplines are included?

The Goliath tour includes five ziplines.

How fast do the ziplines go?

The ziplines reach speeds of up to about 60 mph.

How long is the longest zipline?

One of the ziplines is more than half a mile long.

How high above the ground do you go?

The ziplines reach more than 500 feet high.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 10 years old.

What is the weight requirement?

Participants must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. You will be weighed at check-in.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.