Smugglers Notch Zipline

Smugglers Notch Resort in Jeffersonville sits at the foot of a dramatic mountain pass in the Green Mountains, and in summer and early autumn its forest hosts ArborTrek, a guided canopy zipline experience. Visitors are fitted with harnesses and helmets, briefed on safety and led through a series of platforms and ziplines strung between trees, with guides on hand at every step. The tour typically combines flying sections with suspended bridges and short walks, giving a mix of speed, height and views. Unlike an amusement-park ride, a canopy tour places you inside the forest, so you see the trees, birds and light from the middle of the canopy. Some sections stretch long enough for a real sense of flight, and the guides keep the mood light and encouraging. It is an ideal activity for active couples, families with older children and groups of friends who want something memorable. Located about an hour from Burlington, it is a manageable day trip, or it can be combined with a stay at the resort or a visit to Stowe. Check the operating season and age and weight limits before you book.

Safety is the first thing to understand. Canopy tours use harnesses, helmets, lines and trained guides, and reputable operators follow industry standards and inspect equipment regularly. Even so, it is an adventure activity, so listen carefully to the instructions and follow them. Weight and age limits are usual, and some conditions such as back problems, heart conditions, pregnancy or fear of heights may make the activity unsuitable.

Wear closed-toe shoes, fitted clothing and sunscreen, tie back long hair and leave loose items behind. Weather matters: tours generally run in rain but not in lightning or high wind.

The setting adds to the experience. The notch itself is a narrow pass carved by glaciers, famous for rock formations and a history of smuggling during an early nineteenth-century trade embargo, which gave it its name. The resort area includes a village, a water park for summer, trails and family activities, so a zipline can be one part of a longer stay.

In autumn, the forest around the tour is ablaze with color, and the experience of flying through it is unique. Check seasonal operating dates, because canopy tours generally run from late spring through autumn and close in winter.

Plan the day around the drive. From Burlington, the route runs east through the valley to Jeffersonville, a roughly one-hour trip, and you can add stops in villages along the way. Eat a light meal before the tour and bring water. Book in advance, particularly for weekends and peak foliage dates.

If you would like a more relaxed alternative, try a sailing cruise or a guided day tour instead. If you are an adventure seeker, this is among the best zipline options in northern Vermont, offering a mix of forest, mountain and a friendly guide team that keeps nerves in check.

Think about the rest of the day, too. The resort offers dining, trails and family attractions, and the pass itself is a dramatic drive with short walks to rock formations and viewpoints when the road is open for the season. Combine the zipline with a lunch in the village and a scenic return through the valley, and you have a satisfying adventure day from Burlington.