PHOTO: Toro Verde Adventure Park inOrocovis, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Michelle Rae Uy)
Spectacular views, thrilling jaunts, and an outdoor setting: these, among some others, are the perks of zip lining. This aerial activity offers an experience in the extreme only with a milder dose of danger, which makes it perfect for those seeking the adrenaline rush sans the great risk. It's little wonder that many people are addicted to it.
Whether you haven't jumped at the chance or you want to give it another go, there are many lines all over the world to consider. There are the longest ones, the over-the-water ones, the serpentine, and even the urban lines. These impressive zip lines from Asia to the Caribbean are more than enough reasons to add zip lining to your New Year's resolution this 2017.
Parque de Aventura Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon, Mexico)
Officially the longest line in the world right now, Parque Barrancas' Ziprider runs at 8350 feet long. That's about 2 to 3 minutes of flight time at up to 135 kph over the breathtaking copper-green landscape of Copper Canyon in northwestern Mexico. Make a day out of your visit as the park also offers abseiling, rock climbing and a ride on the third longest cable car on Earth, on top of its seven-line, two-hanging bridge circuit.
Toro Verde Adventure Park (Orocovis, Puerto Rico)
No zip line list is complete without Puerto Rico's Toro Verde Ecological Adventure Park. It does, after all, boast some of the best ones not just in the Caribbean but also the world. First up is The Monster, former longest zip line champion at 8,300 feet. Then there's The Beast. It isn't the longest at 4,745 feet; but it's certainly one of the highest, running at over 900 feet above ground. The park also has other zip lines and activities like rappelling and rock climbing on offer.
Highground Adventures (Kathmandu, Nepal)
When you're looking to take a break from Nepal's vibrant cultural and spiritual experiences, head over to Sarangkot. There, Highground Adventures' ZipFlyer sends you soaring down a 2000-foot vertical drop at up to 120 kph for two full minutes. That makes this 5,900-meter long zip line the world's steepest and tallest, as well as one of the longest. Even better, it comes with a panorama of the Himalayan Mountains.
Zip World (Snowdonia, United Kingdom)
Zip World's Velocity may not be the longest in the world at 5,249 feet, but it is the longest in Europe. More importantly, it claims to be the fastest in the world, reaching speeds of over 160 kph. This awesome ride sends riders flying, superman-style, over a quarry lake and Snowdonia's formidable landscape with views of the Isle of Man. While it's definitely not for the faint hearted, they put guests on a milder line first to build their confidence.
TreeTops (Sydney, Australia)
It may not be the most exhilarating zip line-type of activity, but TreeTops' Crazy Rider Xtreme is just as fun. This rollercoaster zip line, the world's longest, takes guests on a wild ride for 3,280 feet through the woods, one with 360-degree loops, zigzags, twists and turns, and even a couple of drops. The entire ride takes about five minutes. Better yet, combine it with the shorter Pioneer for an additional 1,082 feet.
Sablayan Zipline Adventure (Sablayan, Philippines)
Zip line for about four minutes from one island to another in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. The Sablayan zip line's claim to fame is the world's longest island-to-island line with a length of about 5,577 feet, but that isn't the best thing about it. Imagine gazing down upon palm trees, crystal clear waters, coral reefs and fishing boats as you glide your way from Parola Park to South Pandan Island. You can even take the same line to get back to the jump off point.
Eye of the Jaguar (Maras, Peru)
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is certainly a bucket list-type of place, a destination that everyone should visit at least one. Seeing it from a bird's eye perspective, however, is a different thing entirely. At 60 mph, Eye of the Jaguar's zip line takes guests flying over this amazing landscape for a surreal experience. It's also one of the five longest zip lines in the world, which means that you'll be spending some time up there, taking in the sights.
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