Zipline Tour, Kauai Backcountry Adventures

Ziplines are a phenomenon that is rather new in Hawaii. The first ziplines were created on Kauai, and then they spread throughout the state. The Kauai Backcountry Zipline is located in Hanamaulu, and is one of the originals. Hanamaulu us very conveniently located, close to the airport and the cruise ship harbor. Kauai Backcountry Adventures is the same company that we did the inner-tubing tour with. We checked in at the same place, right at the Kauai Backcountry Adventures headquarters building (you can’t miss it, it’s bright yellow).

After we checked in, we were issued harnesses and taken out front where out guide was waiting for us, in a 6-wheeled military troop carrier. We jumped in and began our trip up to the zipline course.

Our guide explained that the ranch we were on has a rich history behind it. At one point it was part of a gigantic sugar plantation. Then, in 1999 when the sugar plantation went out of business the land was purchased by America Online Co-founder Steve Case. Mr. Case vowed to never allow the land to be developed (to keep Kauai from suffering the same overcrowding such a problem where Steve grew up on Oahu) and has since allowed only low impact developments such as: activity companies, video productions and farmers to lease the land back from him to use.

The area is absolutely beautiful, after seeing it for yourself there will be no question left in your mind why such films as: “The Thin Red Line”, “Tropic Thunder”, “Jurassic Park” and “Mighty Joe Young” were filmed here. This lush environment was a pleasure to the eye.

When we got to the top of the road we got out of the troop carrier and made our wat towards the top of the hill. As we walked towards the first zipline and crested the hill we could see the zipline course extending out into the distance, crossing back and forth across the valley beneath us.

One of our guides went down first and the other stayed at the top and helped us clip our harnesses into the zipline. After we zipped down the second guide helped us unclip. We repeated this process for each zipline throughout the trip.

*Simone requested to get bounced.

Some of the lines were long and others were much shorter. One of the shortest ones (line #6) actually turned out to be my favorite. The zipline had a great deal of slack in it. Before you went down it the guide would ask if you wanted to be “Bounced”. If you agreed, then the guide would pull down on the cable sending a wave through it that gave the rider a free fall sensation when they went over it. It was really fun!

After we finished the final zip line of the course, our six wheeled transport was already there waiting for us. We did not load up to go back down the hill right away. Instead, we sat under their pavilion and ate lunch. After we ate a few members of the group went for a swim in a pool in the nearby stream.

Unless you went up to the ranch with Kauai Backcountry Adventures, (or someone else that had the key to Mr. Case’s property) you would never know that there was this kind of beautiful terrain, so close to the islands busy commercial center. If your on Kauai (even for just the day) and are looking into finding something exciting then to do then you should definitely consider checking out the zipline with Kauai Backcountry Adventures.