You can now zipline over the Grand Canyon (if you dare!)

Grand Canyon
Unsplash / Francisco morais

Visitors to the Grand Canyon have several options when it comes to witnessing the beauty of this national treasure. The strenuous rim-to-rim hike rewards guests with the canyon’s sprawling beauty. Of course, alternative routes include rafting, taking a mule ride through the canyon or soaring in a helicopter high above it.

grand canyon photo
Getty Images | Sean Gallup

Now, visitors to the Grand Canyon have another option for exploring this gorgeous natural wonder — one that’s sure to push those adrenal glands into overdrive.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeTL7ZcHv4n/?taken-by=ziplineatgcw

A Grand Canyon outpost opened up a zipline that lets visitors soar high above the canyon and take in the splendor of this world wonder from a birds-eye view. (That’s assuming these intrepid sightseers dare to look down!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb2x_XeDMVi/?taken-by=grandcanyonnps

The new zipline is located at Hualapai Ranch as part of Grand Canyon West, where less thrill-seeking activities include hiking trails, archery and horseback riding. Grand Canyon West also operates the Grand Canyon Sidewalk, a glass-bottom walkway that provides fodder for Instagram gold since the rim of the Grand Canyon is just 70 feet away. (Again, if you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down!)

grand canyon photo
Getty Images | Ethan Miller

Grand Canyon West’s latest adventure zips visitors nearly 1,000 feet above the floor of a side canyon. As the company explains on its website, the structure consists of “quad ziplines” that are engineered with four steel cables, running side-by-side and parallel to one another and allowing groups to zip together. That means you can rip through the air with a group of friends or family members, which hopefully makes the experience a little less scary — or at least even more memorable!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeYHp0kHY5S/?taken-by=ziplineatgcw

The first of the lines stretches 1,100 feet in length, while the second features a steeper grade, propelling riders for 2,100 feet on a downhill adventure, showing off views of the nearby Quartermaster Canyon. Speeds reach about 45 to 50 miles per hour, and $89 will get you rides on two separate runs. Please note, though, that tickets can only be purchased on-site.

Grand Canyon West

Want to see what it looks like before you commit? Check out Grand Canyon West’s video of its new zipline:

So, would you dare to try out this zipline or do you prefer taking in the breathtaking views from a stationary look-out point?

If you’re looking for a thrill of a different kind while visiting the Grand Canyon, consider hiking the Transept Trail. This stunning 3-mile stretch along the North Rim is known for the fabled “Wailing Woman,” who supposedly haunts the area, wearing a blue dress with white flowers and crying at night for her husband and son, who were killed in a hiking accident.

transept trail photo
Flickr | paula_mcmillen

If that doesn’t send chills up your spine, we don’t know what will!

[h/t: Travel & Leisure]

RELATED: How will you get to the Grand Canyon? This scientist figured out the ultimate road trip across the U.S., where every stop is a landmark, national park, or historical site:

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About the Author
Brittany Anas
Hi, I'm Brittany Anas (pronounced like the spice, anise ... see, that wasn't too embarrassing to say, now was it?) My professional writing career started when I was in elementary school and my grandma paid me $1 for each story I wrote for her. I'm a former newspaper reporter, with more than a decade of experience Hula-hooping at planning meetings and covering just about every beat from higher-education to crime to science for the Boulder Daily Camera and The Denver Post. Now, I'm a freelance writer, specializing in travel, health, food and adventure.

I've contributed to publications including Men's Journal, Forbes, Women's Health, American Way, TripSavvy, Eat This, Not That!, Apartment Therapy, Denver Life Magazine, 5280, Livability, The Denver Post, Simplemost, USA Today Travel Tips, Make it Better, AAA publications, Reader's Digest, Discover Life and more.

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