With Austin to the north and San Antonio to the south, the city of Wimberley offers visitors magnificent views of the region's rolling hills and valleys, and an idyllic atmosphere perfect for a weekend getaway. For a sweeping look at the central Texas countryside, a canopy tour gives you a unique view from the treeline, where you can enjoy the beautiful wildlife and natural green surroundings situated below you. With the aid of a trained guide, you will be securely strapped to an aerial inclined cable on a pulley system, which allows you to see the sights at a comfortable pace as you travel down the line.
Recently opened in 2008, Wimberley Zipline Adventures is revered as one of the top outdoor tours in Texas. It has also quickly grown tourism in Wimberley, a town most known for its bed-and-breakfasts, shops and outdoor activities along the scenic Blanco River. The full experience includes a brief walking tour and zipline adventure, where you will be introduced to the local flora and fauna and learn about Wimberley's history. The two-hour tour costs $65 per person, and includes parking, equipment, training and bottled water. You can make online reservations and pay in advance using PayPal. Wimberley Zipline Adventures is closed Tuesday, but provides tours at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
Wimberley Zipline Adventures
Wimberley Valley Road on the Winn Ranch
Wimberley, TX 78676
512-847-9990
www.wimberleyzipline.com
If you're not new to ziplines, Cypress Valley Canopy Tours has three tours that cater to a variety of expectations. The Canopy Tour is great for families and groups, and offers one-and-a-half hours of ziplining across the Cypress-lined creek ravine. The Canopy Challenge is designed for the experienced enthusiast, and it offers an advanced course with longer and faster ziplines. If you're a bird-watcher, the Sunrise Birding Tour offers a guided two- to three-hour tour at sunrise with a local wildlife expert. You can make early reservations online. The Canopy Tour and Birding Tour cost $65, and the Canopy Challenge costs $85. Cypress Valley is closed Monday, and open from 9 a.m. to dusk Tuesday through Sunday.
Cypress Valley Canopy Tours
1223 S. Paleface Ranch Road
Spicewood, TX 78669
512-264-8880
www.cypressvalleycanopytour.com
Canton is about four hours north of Wimberley, and Wired boasts the highest zipline tours with sturdy steel platforms instead of wooden posts. With a professional constructed course and certified staff, Wired offers the safest zipline course for first-timers, families and children to enjoy. Drop-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended for large groups. It costs $55 per person to ride the 1,000-plus foot zipline, which is also the longest in Texas. Wired is open weekdays and weekends, weather permitting, and you can find news, upcoming events and group specials on the Wired blog.
Wired Zipline Challenge Course
796 N. Trade Days Blvd.
Canton, TX 75103
903-567-2681
www.ziptheusa.com
http://ziptheusa.blogspot.com
Located between Austin and Dallas, NY-TX Zipline Adventures presents a slightly different landscape at the highest elevation in east Texas. You'll pass along the region's rich forests of tall pines and hardwoods and the rocky hillside. For $60, you'll explore six ziplines ($80 for nine ziplines), where you'll travel with ease from treetop to treetop for one-and-a-half hours. Large groups are welcome and will receive a 50 percent discount on tour costs. Visit the website to purchase and reserve your tour. NY-TX Zipline Adventures is open Thursday through Sunday.
7290 CR 4328
New York/La Rue, TX 75770
903-681-3791
www.goziptexas.com
