EGM team tries Ireland’s longest zipline

Ireland’s longest zipline has arrived in Belfast, and the team from Emerald Green Media wasted no time in trying it out.

The courage of the team at Emerald Green Media was put to the test in May as we were challenged to take on Ireland’s longest zipline soon after its arrival in Belfast.

The new River Rapid Zipline at Colin Glen Forest Park in West Belfast opened to the public in April 2022. Since then, daredevils from all over the city have donned safety harnesses and oh so stylish helmets to fly above the Belfast hills.

Among them was the Emerald Green Media team, who soared through the trees on the ever ominous Friday 13.

Ireland’s longest zipline – see Belfast from a new perspective

The new River Rapid Zipline features a 2,300 ft (700 m) long zipline that takes off from a height of 100 ft (30 m).

Before reaching a landing tower that stands at 22 ft (6.7 m), those brave enough to take on the zipline can expect to reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph).

From experience, we can attest that this is certainly not a challenge for the fainthearted!

EGM team tries Ireland’s longest zipline – flying through the skies

For a change of scenery, the team headed out on Friday, 13 May, to Colin Glen Forest Park to try the River Rapid Zipline for themselves.

To get our blood pumping and build us up for the big challenge, we first tried out the park’s Black Bull Run. The Black Bull Run is Ireland’s first and only Alpine Coaster, which gives anyone aged three and over the chance to hurtle through the forest at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 kph).

Not quite as daunting as launching yourself from a 100 ft (30 m) platform with just a safety harness to stop you from falling, the Black Bull Run was the perfect warm-up for the challenge that lay ahead.

Taking on the challenge – a fun-filled Friday morning

After we all had two rides on the Black Bull Run, we felt ready to take on the zipline… the small one, that is. The team at Colin Glen were very professional and reassuring, making sure all of our safety equipment was properly secured before we began.

We headed up the countless stairs to the mini 820 ft (250 m) Forest Flyover and soared 50 ft (15 m) above the Black Bull Run that we had just been on.

After two goes each on the mini zipline, we had built up our courage to try the one and only longest zipline in Ireland. So, we headed around, climbed the stairs, and put all of our trust in the safety equipment as we let go!

Flying above the green hills and trees of Colin Glen Forest Park was an exhilarating experience and a great way to spend a Friday, even if it was Friday 13.

If you want to take on the challenge for yourself, you can book the ‘Zipline Package’ with Colin Glen. The package includes both ziplines and is suitable for anyone over 4.3 ft (1.3 m) in height and between 30 kg and 120 kg in weight.

Find out more about this thrilling experience and book for yourself here.