Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain launched on February 11, 2000, as the world’s fastest and longest-dropping full-circuit steel roller coaster — a title it held for exactly 91 days. Built by Swiss manufacturer Giovanola at a cost of roughly $30 million, this 235-foot (72 m) hypercoaster sends riders plunging 255 feet (78 m) into an underground tunnel at 85 mph (137 km/h) before hurling them through a 585-degree helix where forces exceed 4.5 Gs for several consecutive seconds.
More than 25 years after its debut, Goliath remains one of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s most physically demanding headline coasters. With zero inversions, every thrill is earned through raw height, a steep first drop, and sustained lateral force — a formula that was groundbreaking in 2000 and still holds up today.
Quick Answer
Goliath is a steel hypercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California. It stands 235 feet (72 meters) tall and drops 255 feet (78 meters) at a 61-degree angle, reaching a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h). It has zero inversions, a minimum height requirement of 48 inches (122 cm), and seats 30 riders per train across three Giovanola-built trains.
What Is Goliath?
Goliath is a Mega Coaster-class hypercoaster designed by Werner Stengel (Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH) and built by the now-defunct Swiss firm Giovanola, one of only three coasters the company ever produced. It’s a non-inverting steel coaster, meaning the thrill comes entirely from height, speed, and G-force rather than loops — a design philosophy shared with sibling hypercoasters like Cedar Point’s Millennium Force and Six Flags Great Adventure’s Nitro.
When it opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain in February 2000, Goliath was the tallest, fastest, and longest-dropping full-circuit steel coaster on Earth. Cedar Point’s Millennium Force took the crown three months later, but Goliath has remained a signature attraction at the park ever since, prized for its brutal helix finale rather than any single record.
How Tall Is Goliath? Height, Drop and Speed
Goliath’s lift hill and structure top out at 235 feet (72 meters), making it one of the tallest coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. From that peak, the ride’s signature first drop plunges 255 feet (78 meters) at a steep 61-degree angle — a drop that’s actually taller than the lift hill itself, since the track dips below ground level into a 120-foot enclosed tunnel before leveling back out.
Core dimensions, with metric conversions for quick reference: height 235 ft (72 m); first drop 255 ft (78 m) at 61°; second drop 185 ft (56 m); track length 4,500 ft (1,400 m); top speed 85 mph (137 km/h); height requirement 48 in (122 cm). Goliath’s maximum speed of 85 mph is hit at the bottom of that first drop — amplified by the fact that the peak acceleration happens in total darkness inside the tunnel, before the train bursts back into open California sky. The second drop, immediately following the mid-course brake run, is less famous than the first but still ranks among the tallest drops in the park.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Six Flags Magic Mountain | Location: Valencia, California | Manufacturer: Giovanola (Switzerland) | Designer: Werner Stengel (Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH) | Opened: February 11, 2000 | Cost: ~$30 million | Type: Steel hypercoaster (Mega Coaster model).
Height: 235 ft (72 m) | First Drop: 255 ft (78 m) at 61° | Second Drop: 185 ft (56 m) | Top Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h) | Track Length: 4,500 ft (1,400 m) | Duration: ~3 minutes | Inversions: 0 | Trains: 3 trains × 30 riders | Height Requirement: 48 in (122 cm).
Goliath’s Height Requirement: Who Can Ride
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to board Goliath — the same threshold used for most of Six Flags Magic Mountain’s major steel hypercoasters. Six Flags rates Goliath a Level 4 attraction, its maximum intensity classification, reflecting the sustained 4.5-G helix rather than any single dramatic drop.
That intensity rating matters for who should ride: the combination of high G-forces and sustained lateral loading in the helix makes Goliath particularly hard on riders with neck, back, or cardiovascular conditions, and Six Flags advises against riding for pregnant guests and those recovering from recent surgery or joint injuries. Anyone meeting the 48-inch minimum and in good health can ride; there’s no upper height limit.
Goliath’s Trains: Cars, Seating and Capacity
Goliath runs three Giovanola-built trains, each made up of five cars. Every car has three rows with two seats side-by-side, giving each car six seats and each train a total of 30 riders. That 2-across layout means every rider gets either a window or an aisle seat — there’s no center squeeze, unlike stadium-style seating on many newer coasters.
With three trains cycling through the station, Goliath moves its queue faster than many single-train coasters of comparable size. For seat selection: back-row riders get the strongest ejector airtime on the 255-foot drop and the airtime hills that follow, since the train crests each hill slightly ahead of the riders in back. Front-row riders get an unobstructed view straight down the first plunge and feel the tunnel rush most directly. The helix itself delivers its 4.5-G force about equally regardless of where you sit.
The Ride Experience
Goliath’s layout is a hybrid few riders notice until they think about it afterward: the first half follows a classic out-and-back structure — big lift hill, big first drop, a return leg with the 185-foot second drop — while the second half transitions into a twister format with tightly banked turns and sweeping curves. That gives the ride a distinct two-act rhythm: open and airtime-heavy early, then confined and laterally punishing in the back stretch.
After the first drop and tunnel, the train sweeps through a series of airtime hills and the second drop before reaching a mid-course brake run. The second half builds toward the ride’s most famous feature: a descending helix delivering a full turn-and-a-half of sustained lateral G-force, pressing riders into their seats at over 4.5 Gs for several continuous seconds. With no inversions, Goliath’s classification as a comparatively family-friendly hypercoaster is technically accurate but misleading in practice — the helix is more physically demanding than the brief, snappy upside-down elements on most looping coasters.
Planning Your Visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain
Goliath is located near Goliath Plaza inside Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, about 30 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. The park operates on a seasonal schedule that varies by month and typically expands to daily operation during summer and around major holiday events like Fright Fest, so it’s worth checking the calendar before you go rather than assuming standard hours.
Admission is sold as single-day tickets, multi-day tickets, and season or membership passes that also cover the adjacent Hurricane Harbor water park, with pricing that’s generally lowest when booked online in advance. For current hours, ticket prices, and park maps, check the official Six Flags Magic Mountain site, which also has a dedicated page for Goliath’s ride stats and status.
Goliath height, speed, and train specs FAQs
What is Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain?
Goliath is a steel hypercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, built by Giovanola and opened in February 2000. It has no inversions and is known for its 255-foot first drop and a sustained, high-G descending helix.
How tall is Goliath at Six Flags?
Goliath’s lift hill and structure stand 235 feet (72 meters) tall. Its first drop is actually taller, at 255 feet (78 meters), because the track dips below ground level into a tunnel before leveling out.
What is the height requirement for Goliath at Six Flags?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride Goliath. Six Flags rates it a Level 4 attraction, its highest intensity category, due to the sustained G-forces in the helix.
How many trains does Goliath have at Magic Mountain?
Goliath runs three trains, each with five cars. Every car seats six riders (two across, three rows), for a total capacity of 30 riders per train.
How fast is Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain?
Goliath reaches a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h), hit at the bottom of its 255-foot first drop as the train passes through an underground tunnel.
Where is Six Flags Magic Mountain located?
Six Flags Magic Mountain is in Valencia, California, roughly 30 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. Goliath is located near Goliath Plaza inside the park.
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