What Navitat Canopy Tours offers

Navitat Canopy Tours is a zip-lining operator based in Asheville, North Carolina. The company runs guided tours through the forest canopy on a series of cables, platforms, and suspension bridges. You move from tree to tree on harness-secured zip lines, with trained guides leading small groups through the course.

Navitat operates two separate tour routes in the same forest area: the Original Course and the Treetop Canopy Tour. Both follow similar formats — you're harnessed to a cable and move downslope from platform to platform — but they differ in length, difficulty, and what you see along the way. The Original Course is the longer, more intense option. The Treetop tour is shorter and designed for people who want the zip-line experience without the full-day commitment.

The company has been operating since 2006 and is one of the larger zip-line operators on the East Coast. Tours run year-round, though winter availability depends on weather and daylight hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Navitat offers two separate courses in Asheville: the Original Course (about 3 hours, 11 zip lines) and the Treetop Canopy Tour (about 1.5 hours, 6 zip lines).
  • You must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 60 and 275 pounds to participate on either course.
  • Tours are guided in small groups, typically 6 to 8 people per guide, and you cannot zip-line alone or at your own pace.
  • Prices vary by season and tour type; the Original Course costs more than the Treetop tour, and both have higher rates during peak travel months.
  • You can book directly through Navitat's website or through third-party tour operators; direct booking often offers better rates than booking through hotels or travel sites.

Age, weight, and physical requirements

Navitat enforces strict weight and age limits for safety reasons. Participants must be at least 10 years old. There is no upper age limit, but you must be physically able to walk on uneven ground, climb stairs, and support your own weight on platforms and while being lowered onto zip lines.

Weight limits are 60 to 275 pounds. These numbers are tied to the harness sizes and cable tension calculations Navitat uses; they are not negotiable. If you fall outside this range, you cannot participate. Navitat does not offer modified equipment or alternative accommodations for weight.

If you have a medical condition — heart problems, recent surgery, pregnancy, severe fear of heights — you should contact Navitat before booking. The company will not turn you away based on a condition alone, but some situations make the tour unsafe. Navitat staff can discuss your specific situation and tell you whether the tour is appropriate.

What the Original Course includes

The Original Course is Navitat's flagship tour and takes about 3 hours from start to finish. You zip-line across 11 cables, ranging from 40 feet to 680 feet long. The course also includes two suspension bridges and several platforms where you pause between zip lines.

The tour starts with a safety briefing and harness fitting at the base lodge. A guide then leads your group up a steep forest trail to the first platform — this hike takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is the most physically demanding part of the day. Once you reach the canopy, you move from platform to platform on zip lines, descending gradually through the forest. The longest zip line is near the end of the course.

The Original Course covers about 2.5 miles of ground, though most of that distance is covered by zip line rather than on foot. Guides point out forest features and wildlife as you go, though the speed of the zip lines means you see the landscape rather than stop to study it.

What the Treetop Canopy Tour includes

The Treetop Canopy Tour is a shorter version designed for people with less time or lower tolerance for intensity. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and includes 6 zip lines, one suspension bridge, and several platforms. The zip lines are shorter than those on the Original Course, and the initial hike to the first platform is less steep.

This course covers the same forest area as the Original Course but follows a different path through the canopy. You still get the full zip-line experience — harness, speed, height — but with less total time and fewer cables to traverse. The Treetop tour is popular with families with younger children, people visiting Asheville for only a day, and anyone who wants to zip-line without committing to a full afternoon.

Pricing and how to book

Navitat prices both tours by season. Peak season (roughly June through October and holiday weeks) costs more than shoulder season (spring and fall) and off-season (winter). The Original Course typically ranges from $150 to $200 depending on season. The Treetop tour typically ranges from $100 to $150.

You can book directly through Navitat's website, by phone, or through third-party tour operators like Viator, GetYourGuide, or local Asheville tourism companies. Direct booking through Navitat's website usually offers the lowest price. Third-party sites add a markup and may have different cancellation policies.

Navitat offers a small discount if you book both courses on the same day. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more; contact the company directly for a quote.

What to bring and what to wear

Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip — hiking boots or trail runners are ideal. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, and shoes with slick soles. You will be walking on wet wood platforms and climbing stairs, so traction matters.

Dress in layers. The canopy is cooler and windier than the ground, and you will be moving slowly between zip lines, which means you cool down quickly. Bring a light jacket even on warm days. In winter, wear warm layers; Navitat operates in cold weather, but you will feel the temperature more at height.

Navitat provides the harness, helmet, and gloves. You do not need to bring safety equipment. Bring water and a snack if you want one, though the tour is short enough that most people do not need food during it. Leave valuables in your car or at the lodge; there is no find storage on the course itself.

Cancellation and weather policies

Navitat cancels tours if lightning is within 10 miles or if wind speeds exceed 30 miles per hour. Rain alone does not cancel tours — the platforms and cables are designed for wet conditions — but heavy rain combined with wind may. If your tour is cancelled due to weather, Navitat will reschedule you for another date at no extra cost or refund your money.

If you cancel your booking, refund policies depend on how far in advance you cancel. Cancellations made more than 48 hours before your tour date typically receive a full refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are usually non-refundable. Third-party booking sites may have different policies, so check the terms when you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the Original Course if I have never zip-lined before?

Yes. Navitat guides all participants through a safety briefing and practice on a short training line before the main course. You do not need prior experience. The guides are trained to work with nervous first-timers and will go at a pace that keeps everyone safe and comfortable.

What if I am afraid of heights?

Many people with a fear of heights do the Navitat tour successfully. The harness and cable system is extremely safe, and you are never in free fall — you are always secured and moving at a controlled speed. That said, if your fear is severe, the Treetop tour is shorter and may feel less intense than the Original Course. Talk to Navitat staff about your specific concerns before booking.

Do I need to be in good physical shape?

You need to be able to walk uphill on an uneven trail for 20 to 30 minutes and climb stairs on platforms. You do not need to be athletic or train beforehand. Most people of average fitness can do the Original Course. If you have joint problems, arthritis, or limited mobility, the Treetop tour is a better fit because the initial hike is shorter and less steep.

Can children do the tour?

Children as young as 10 can participate if they weigh at least 60 pounds. Many children enjoy the Treetop tour more than the Original Course because it is shorter and less physically demanding. Children must be supervised by an adult on the tour, though the adult does not have to be on the same zip line — guides keep groups together.

How long does the whole experience take, including check-in?

Plan for about 4 hours total for the Original Course (including check-in, safety briefing, and the tour itself). The Treetop tour takes about 2.5 hours total. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and paperwork.