5 awesome activities in the Lake District

If you’re looking for an adventure for all of the family to enjoy, then the Lake District is the place to go.

The adventure capital of the UK boasts a fantastic range of things to entertain visitors of all ages and these five awesome activities in the Lake District will have children and adults buzzing with excitement.

Ghyll Scrambling and Canyoning

Ghyll scrambling and canyoning are guaranteed to get the heart racing and the adrenaline pumping. A ghyll is a narrow and often fast flowing stream with steep sides that tends to be found in the mountains. Ghyll scrambling and canyoning involve travelling up or down canyons, ghylls and gorges following the path of a river or stream.

Depending on the specific stream, this may involve swimming, jumping, and rock climbing and sometimes using ropes to assist you. You will hop across boulders, climb up waterfalls and slide down chutes punging into pools. Great fun!

There are many places to enjoy ghyll scrambling and canyoning and both children and adults are welcome. Prices vary depending on which provider you choose and how long you do the activity for but expect prices starting around £25 for half a day, with suitable supervision and safety equipment provided.

Kayaking and Canoeing

The Lake District is the ideal place to enjoy kayaking or canoeing, and the lakes are perfect for younger children, teenagers and adults alike.

Training courses aren’t required to kayak or canoe as both vessels are fairly straightforward to paddle, but courses are available for people who would like to advance their skills and/or take on more challenging locations.

Guided trips are available as well as self-led explorations depending on your preferences. Those who are up for more of a challenge should look to the rivers and coastline of this region.

Kayaks, canoes and safety gear can all be hired by providers across the Lake District on an hourly, half-day or day basis. Prices vary depending on how long you want to kayak or canoe for and which provider you choose but are around £15 to £40 for a couple of hours to a full day.

Rock climbing, Scrambling and Via Ferrata

The Lake District caters to both beginners and experienced climbers who wish to participate in rock climbing and scrambling. There are many providers who offer rock climbing and scrambling experiences for children and adults so everyone can be part of the fun. Courses are also available for people who wish to develop their skills.

It is important to wear comfortable walking boots with good grips, a base layer, waterproof outer layers, as well as a hat and gloves depending on how cold it is. Prices start at around £25 per half day.

For fantastic views from great heights, the Via Ferrata experiences at Honister Slate Mine are not to be missed. Participants scale a mountain while attached to a harness and using rungs and supports during the climb.

The Via Ferrata Classic and Xtreme experiences are suitable for participants aged 10 years and older with a minimum height requirement of 1.3 metres. The Xtreme costs £39.50 per adult and £29.50 per child, while the Classic costs £35 per adult and £25 per child.

Mountain Biking

Exploring the Lake District on two wheels is a brilliant way to see the stunning sights and the area caters to cyclists of all ages and riding experience. Bikes can be hired across the Lake District so there’s no need to bring your own if boot space is tight. Expect prices around £15 per half day.

There are lots of traffic-free trails that are well suited to families and take in the diverse landscapes, from valleys and mountains to forests, lake shores and quiet country lanes.

Whinlatter Forest is home to the Lake District’s longest purpose-built mountain bike trail and offers trails to suit intermediate and experienced cyclists, as well as a children’s play area and beautiful forest walking trails.

It's also possible to book private cycling sessions for the family to enjoy together. These sessions are suitable for children aged 8 up to adults and will help to develop mountain biking skills in a fun and pretty environment. There are even courses suitable for nursery age children so pint-sized peddlers can learn to ride too.

Take to the trees

High wire adventures provide a fantastic way to see the Lake District from a different viewpoint - high above the ground and in amongst the trees! There are several providers that offer these high-wire experiences which involve navigating your way through an adventure course up in the trees including zip slides, rope courses and swings.

Different companies have different minimum age requirements but Treetop Trek is suitable for children aged 5 and older starting at £16, while Go Ape is suitable for children aged 10 and older and starts at £24.

Amazing adventure for all the family

These five fantastic activities will delight younger and older family members alike so you can be sure that everyone will have an amazing time in the Lake District, with fun adventures that cater to their experience levels and that are sure to leave participants eager for more!

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