Ropes Course Difficulty Levels at The Adventure Park: Color-Coded Trail Guide
By The Adventure Park Team
Trip Advisor
Recommended
One of the great things about The Adventure Park is that you can choose your own adventure. Our courses are self guided and color-coded like ski trails, allowing climbers to choose their level of difficulty. All of our trails can provide a fun challenge, and climbers can try multiple trails at the same level or progress from one level to another (and back again!).
Quick Reference: Course Levels at a Glance
| Level | Color | Recommended Min. Age |
Max Height | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple | 🟣 | Ages 5–6 (select locations) | 15 feet | Youngest climbers accompanied by an adult |
| Yellow | 🟡 | Ages 7+ | 15 feet | First-timers, younger kids, warm ups |
| Green | 🟢 | Ages 7+ | 25 feet | Any climber, a perfect all-round challenge |
| Blue | 🔵 | Ages 10+ | 30 feet | Climbers with some experience |
| Black | ⚫ | Ages 12+ | 40 feet | Strong, agile climbers seeking a tough challenge |
| Double Black | ⚫⚫ | Ages 14+ (select locations) | 50 feet | Experienced climbers ready to push their edge |
All trails begin at the Main Platform (aka Main Plat), where our staff can assist in choosing a trail. Our Main Plat staff can tell you which trails have more ziplines, give you tips for navigating your chosen trail or steer you to the next trail that would be a good match.
Want to know more? Check out the course level descriptions below and see a sample of the adventure park challenges you might find on each level.
Purple (ages 5-6 at select Parks)
Available at our Parks in Virginia Beach, VA and Fairfield County, CT, purple courses are designed for ages 5-6 and their accompanying adults. These are our easiest trails with platform heights up to 15 feet. Children must have an adult (18+) climb with them (max 2 children per adult) and may climb on our Purple Courses only.
Purple Courses by Park
| The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum |
Templeton's Run Wilbur's Way |
| The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium |
Firefly Cricket Caterpillar Crossing Labyrinth |
Yellow (recommended for ages 7+)
Yellow trails are some of our easier courses, designed for anyone ages 7 to adult. Platform heights may be up to 15 feet. We recommend that kids 7-13 be supervised by an adult when climbing on our Yellow courses. “Supervised” means that an adult (18+) must observe, guide, direct and watch over climbers.
Lifelines are a bit lower and designed to be easily reached by younger climbers.
Yellow Courses by Park
| The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum |
Sunflower Sunshine Snap Dragon Dragonfly |
| The Adventure Park at Heritage Museums & Gardens | Sunshine |
| The Adventure Park at Long Island |
Sunflower Sunshine Snap Dragon Goldfinch |
| The Adventure Park at Nashville |
Sunflower Sunshine Snap Dragon |
| The Adventure Park at Storrs |
Sugar Maple Dogwood |
| The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium |
Sunflower Sunshine Snap Dragon |
Green (recommended for ages 7+)
New climbers are encouraged to begin with a Yellow or Green trail on their first visit to the Park. While Green are some of our easier trails, they still provide a good challenge with platform heights up to 25 feet. We recommend that kids 7-9 climb with an adult (max 2 kids per adult) and those 10-13 years old be supervised by an adult.
Elements on the Green course provide a great balance of challenge and fun for kids and adults alike. These are some of our most popular courses!
Green Courses by Park
| The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum |
Forest Run Mountain Trail Fern Gully Grand Rapids |
| The Adventure Park at Heritage Museums & Gardens | Forest Run Mountain Trail |
| The Adventure Park at Long Island |
Forest Run Mountain Trail Fern Gully Grand Rapids Jungle Pass |
| The Adventure Park at Nashville |
Forest Run Mountain Trail Fern Gully Grand Rapids |
| The Adventure Park at Storrs |
Cedar Pass Mountain Laurel Pine Rush |
| The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium |
Forest Run Mountain Trail Fern Gully Grand Rapids Jungle Pass |
Blue (recommended for ages 10+)
Our Blue trails are challenging courses requiring some agility, good balance and strength. Blue courses may be as high as 30 feet above the ground, providing a mental challenge as well. Climbers 10-11 are recommended to climb with an adult (max 2 kids per adult), while those 12-13 are recommended to be supervised by an adult.
Elements on the Blue courses might be similar to the Green courses but spaced farther apart or have more variety in height, increasing the challenge. They may also roll under your feet or provide more swing, testing your agility, balance and strength.
Blue Courses by Park
| The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum |
Waterfall Riptide |
| The Adventure Park at Heritage Museums & Gardens | Waterfall |
| The Adventure Park at Long Island |
Waterfall Riptide Tidal Wave |
| The Adventure Park at Nashville |
Waterfall Riptide |
| The Adventure Park at Storrs |
Witch Hazel Ironwood |
| The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium |
Waterfall Riptide |
Black (recommended for ages 12+)
For the next level of challenge, our Black courses are rated as “difficult” and require agility, good balance, strength and physical stamina. Black courses can be as high as 40 feet, and we recommend that climbers 12-13 climb with an adult.
Elements on the Black trails often require a significant amount of strength, as well as problem solving skills to navigate.
Black Courses by Park
| The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum |
Black Storm |
| The Adventure Park at Heritage Museums & Gardens | Black Storm |
| The Adventure Park at Long Island |
Black Storm Black Hawk |
| The Adventure Park at Nashville |
Black Storm |
| The Adventure Park at Storrs |
Black Oak |
| The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium |
Black Storm Black Hawk |
Double Black (recommended for ages 14+)
For the ultimate in pushing your edge, each of the Parks below as has a Double Black Diamond trail. This is a very difficult course, requiring physical strength and athletic ability. Platforms maybe as high as 50 feet in the air. What are the elements like? Well, you’ll have to see for yourself!
Double Black Courses by Park
| The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum |
Commando |
| The Adventure Park at Nashville |
Commando |
| The Adventure Park at Storrs |
Black Locust |
| The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium |
Commando |
Which Course Level is Right for Me?
- First-time visitor, ages 7+: Start with Yellow or Green. Both are beginner-friendly and a great way to get comfortable with the harness system and the height before moving up.
- Visiting with ages 5–6: Purple courses are available at Virginia Beach, VA and Bridgeport, CT only. An adult must climb with children on Purple trails (max 2 children per adult).
- Active adult with no ropes course experience: Try out a Yellow or Green, then move on to Blue once you’ve got your footing.
- Experienced climber or athlete: Warm up on a Yellow or Green, Try Blue, then push to Black.
- Looking for the ultimate challenge: Double Black Diamond — but work up to it. Even pros need to warm up first!
Ready to try our courses out for yourself? Choose your Park location and book your adventure today!
What level should a first-time guest start on?
We recommend Yellow or Green for most first-time guest, or really anyone – they are the ideal warm up for experienced climbers as well. Yellow courses are closer to the ground and ideal for younger children or anyone who wants a gentle introduction. Green courses provide more of a challenge while still being very accessible for new climbers of all ages. Our Main Platform staff can help you choose the right starting trail when you arrive.
Can kids do the Blue and Black courses?
Blue courses are recommended for minimum ages 10 and up. Climbers ages 10–11 are recommended to climb with an adult, and those 12 and under are recommended to be supervised. Black courses are recommended for minimum ages 12 and up, with climbers 12–13 recommended to climb with an adult. We always recommend starting on a a Yellow or Green course first before moving up.
How high off the ground are the courses?
Platform heights vary by level: Purple and Yellow courses reach up to 15 feet; Green courses up to 25 feet; Blue courses up to 30 feet; Black courses up to 40 feet; and Double Black Diamond courses can reach up to 50 feet above the ground.
Is there a course for ages 5 and 6?
Yes, Purple courses are available at two locations: The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach, VA and The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, CT. Children ages 5–6 must be accompanied by an adult (ages 18+) at a maximum of 2 children per adult, and may only climb on Purple trails.
Do I need to be physically fit to do the courses?
Most active people can comfortably complete Yellow and Green courses. Blue and Black courses require more agility, upper body strength, and stamina, though many guests surprise themselves with what they can accomplish. All courses have Early Exits so you can come down at any point. Start easy, listen to your body, and progress at your own pace.
