Romans and area residents who want to feel the thrill of dangling from a wire high up in the treetops and racing down that wire at 30 miles an hour now have a place to do just that — and its right in our own backyard.

Daredevil Ziplines, located on the Belle Terra property between Cave Spring and Rome, offers zipline rides as well as an aerial obstacle course where visitors can challenge themselves with a 600-foot “Dare Ya” zipline, taking them downhill through the trees at 50 miles per our, crossing a lake, or can attempt to negotiate wooden bridges and rope swings while up in the trees.

But it’s all done with safety as the number one priority and under the supervision of Daredevil’s creator Jim Jones and his staff.

Long seen as an eco-tourist’s adventure staple, ziplining is gaining traction among travelers, fitness buffs and families, and is becoming one of the hottest adventure trends.

Many people are familiar with the ziplining tours of the rainforest tropical destinations. But the activity works well in many other settings as well. The rocky outcrops and pine forests of Northwest Georgia make an ideal location to go skimming through the trees, and the ground races past below you.

Rome residents may recognize Belle Terra as a location for weddings and other special events, but the 300-acre property — complete with a lake, wooded areas and lots of large trees,is ideal for a ziplining course.

“I had the idea to do this a year ago,” said Jim Jones, who along with wife Latrelle owns the Belle Terra Property. “I thought it would be a great activity for families. It’s physical and wholesome.”

So after getting ideas from other ziplining companies, and figuring out what would work best with the topography of his property, Jones created the framework for what is now the start of a challenging yet fun ziplining and adventure course.

At the moment there are two major zipline rides. The largest, the “Dare Ya,” hurls thrill seekers 600 feet out over a lake at 50 miles per hour. Suddenly, a unique bungee braking system catapults the rider back across the lake before bringing them back gently to a sandy beach.

The “Double Dare” is an intermediate zipline which allows two people to race off the launch and down the wires at around 50 miles per hour and leads into the aerial challenges.

The Aerial Challenge includes a European-style course. Visitors can negotiate a suspended log walk, ladders, a swinging bride, a swinging platform and rope walks. Jones says a climbing wall is in the works. A zip tour course joins the obstacles. Visitors can join or bypass the obstacle course as preferred.

A general contractor, Jones makes sure that safety is a top priority at Daredevil Ziplines. He adheres to strict Association of Challenge Course Technology safety standards for the construction of the course and its use.

“We’ve had a great response since we’ve opened the course to the public,” Latrelle said. “Mostly from the Atlanta area just because we haven’t really started advertising in this area yet. But we’re hoping to reach out to church groups, school groups, and of course local families and anyone interested in a little high-flying adventure.”

Latrelle said there is a training and safety session by the staff before challenge course participants set out on their adventure. Riders wear a harness attached to a cable by way of a removable trolley, as well as a helmet.

Jim was recently chosen to build one of his special ziplines for the finale of an action-adventure/reality series being filmed in Northwest Georgia. When the production company gives the ok, Jim will replicate that zipline at the Daredevil site.

Rates begin at $10 for just the Double Dare ride and $20 for the Dare Ya ride and go up to $65 for the zipline/obstacle course package. Reservations are recommended and discounts are available for groups of six or more.

For more information about Daredevil Ziplines, location, course info and a photo gallery, visit online at daredevilziplines.com.