When the first zipline course was created in Costa Rica in 1995, ziplining was simply a way to view the jungle from above the trees. Twenty-five years later, the adrenaline-pumping activity has spread across the globe with outfitters attempting to build the longest, tallest and fastest adventures.
Just how far will they go to get you to either (A) scream the entire flight or (B) soar along with a Cheshire Cat–like grin? Because there are really only two options when it comes to ziplining.
Van Thorens Zipline, France
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Eight-hundred-feet tall may not sound too high for a zipline.
But La Tyrolienne ski resort in the French Alps is already 10,600 feet above sea level, making this zipline the tallest in the world.
Skypark, Russia
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Inside Sochi National Park, Skypark worked with Kiwi bungee founder AJ Hackett to create an entire park filled with high-flying adventures.
You better believe that includes ziplining.
Zipline Dubai
The world's tallest urban zipline is, of course, in Dubai, where the world's tallest skyscrapers dominate.
Your jump begins at 557 feet!
Flying Fox, New Zealand
Friends who ride together, scream together when riding Superman-style through Gravity Canyon.
The adventure claims to reach speeds of 100 miles per hour!
Jebel Jais Flight, United Arab Emirates
Jebel Jais Flight
Due to its location atop Ras Al Khaimah, the tallest mountain in the U.A.E., you'll fly 5,511 feet above sea level — and reach speeds up to 93 miles per hour.
Flight of the Gibbon, Thailand
Even getting to the platforms of this Bangkok zipline will require you to keep your lunch down as you zipline for two hours in the Thai rainforest.
All Cloudscraper Zip Line, Colorado
North American's highest zipline will take you 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River with breathtaking views of the Royal Gorge in Canon City, Colorado.
The views from the gondolas taking you to the start of the zipline are worth the experience alone.
Zipline Slovenia
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At Bovec Adventure Park, Slovenia's longest zips range from 1,640 to nearly 2,300 feet in Triglav National Park and over Soca Valley.
Zip World Velocity 2, Wales
You'll definitely need your helmet as you head face-first over Penrhyn Quarry in Wales at speeds over 60 miles per hour.
The Flying Dutchman, St. Maarten
The steepest zipline in the world can be found on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten, which will drop you 1,050 feet over the course of its 2,800-foot run.
Screaming Falcon Big Line, Utah
The world's longest zipline over water soars above Deer Creek Reservoir in Park City.
You'll travel 3,900 feet on this scream-inducer.
Dragon's Breath Zipline, Haiti
Coming in second after Utah for the longest over-water zipline, Royal Caribbean's Dragon Breath Zip Line sails you into Labadee Peninsula along 2,630 feet.
Lake Eland Ziplines, Africa
Travel more than 2.5 miles along 14 different ziplines in Lake Eland Game Reserve — the longest zipline tour in Africa.
The longest stretch takes you more than 2,200 feet across Oribi Gorge.
Mega Zips, Kentucky
If riding a zipline wasn't exhilarating enough, try it underground in the dark at Mega Cavern outside Louisville.
Dahilayan Adventure Park, Philippines
The longest dual zipline in Asia makes it easier for scaredy-cats to ride with brave friends.
At speeds ranging between 60 and 80 miles per hour and a drop from a 4,500-foot tower, you'll definitely want to hold onto someone!
Xplor Aventura Extrema, Mexico
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Riviera Maya's highest ziplines are found at the Xplor park and feature two different seven-line circuits that take you over the Mayan rainforest.
The Sasquatch, Canada
More than 1.2 miles between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, you can ride this beast, which is the longest zipline in Canada (and beats all in the U.S., too).
Alpine Adventures: New Hampshire
You can pick your poison when ziplining in the White Mountains near Bretton Woods: Will it be a short 250-footer, or will you go big with 1,000 feet?
TreeTop Crazy Rider, Australia
Sydney ups the game by turning its zipline (known as a Flying Fox Down Under) into a rollercoaster!
Ziptrek, New Zealand
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Descend 30 stories at speeds of more than 40 miles per hour at this Queenstown zipline.
Flying Fox, India
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Over the river and through the woods to the stately Mehrangarh Fortress you go on this six zipline tour in Jodhpur.
Amazonia Expeditions, Peru
The longest ziplines in the Amazon jungle soar above towering trees that grow more than 100 feet in height, giving you a bird's-eye view.
New York Zipline Adventure Tour at Hunter Mountain
Visit Hunter Mountain in the Cascade Mountains, and you will be 600 feet above ground traveling at nearly 50 miles per hour on the longest zipline in the U.S.
Icy Strait Point, Alaska
The world's largest ZipRider (where you are seated) can be found descending from Hoonah Mountain near Port Frederick.
Six different lines drop 1,330 feet and travel 5,330 feet.
Lake Sebu Seven Falls Zipline, Philippines
Get the best views of seven different waterfalls above South Cotabato's Lake Sebu on this zipline adventure.
Simatai Zip Line, China
Sure, you could go back down the Great Wall of China the way you came up, or you could speed things up and ride the 1,312-foot zipline across the lake.
The Beast, Puerto Rico
There are nearly 28 football fields' lengths of cable in Toro Verde Adventure Park.
Crossing the park in 8,300 feet of ziplines, you'll race at speeds up to 95 miles per hour on this monster.
Hanazono Adventure Park, Japan
The longest zipline in Japan is less than a mile long, but it certainly provides some fantastic views of the snow-covered mountains as it crosses above Neisco Village.
Fly Linq, Nevada
Las Vegas is never one to shy away from adding more excitement, so you can soar above the Strip with nine other people on Caesar Entertainment's Fly Linq.
Aventura Canopy Tour, Costa Rica
The place where it all began: Monteverde. From 16 platforms, you'll swing through the trees like Tarzan, with 13 ziplines, 2 Superman ziplines and, yes, a Tarzan swing.
You can decide if you want to do a Tarzan call or just a fear-induced scream along the way.