More Than A Few Lake District Outdoor Adventures
With well over 1900 miles of rights of way, you can walk, cycle and ride around the Lake District to your heart’s content. But don’t forget there are 16 lakes and tarns and even 150 miles of coastline, with some fantastic beaches just waiting to be discovered.
There is a wealth of activity to enjoy, everything from gentle walks to high-octane adventure sports…whatever you fancy you can really enjoy yourself in the UK’s adventure capital…
The Lake District is the birthplace of mountaineering and there is a tradition of unrestricted access to the fells together with an extensive network of public rights of way.
Recreational walking can be traced from the famous Romantic Poet Wordsworth’s ‘Guide to the Lakes’ to the guides of more recent writers such as Wainwright.
There are so many activity ideas you will never be at a loss as to what to do. Other ideas include; cycling, high ropes and zip-wire, 4×4 driving, wild swimming, hot air ballooning, mountain biking, cruising and sailing on one of the regions lakes or off the inspirational coast, shooting, fishing trips, kayaking, canoeing… or simply savouring the peace and tranquility.
The tranquility of the fells, valleys and lakes gives a sense of space and freedom. There is an opportunity for spiritual refreshment: a release from the pressures of modern-day life. We are home to England’s deepest lake, Wastwater; longest lake, Windermere, and highest mountain, Scafell Pike. In-fact there are only five peaks over 900m in England and they are all here in Cumbria.
So why not get outside and discover the beautiful Lake District for yourself:
Learn to Sail:
Ever fancied having a go at sailing but aren’t sure if you are ready to take the plunge then why not enjoy a half-day or full-day skippered charter on Windermere – the perfect way to learn the basics from a qualified skipper or if that doesn’t float your boat you could just sit back and enjoy the experience on a big yacht. A half-day’s sailing for up to four people takes around 3.5 hours – you can choose to sit back and let your skipper do all the work, or take control yourself. A full days sailing for up to four people lasts around 6 hours and gives you the opportunity to learn some of the basic skills of sailing a yacht. obsailing
Canoe/Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Windermere will never be a true wilderness experience, but there are lots of hidden corners that can readily be sort out by the flat water paddler and it really is a great place to start this pursuit. With hire points at YHA, Ambleside, Ferry Nab, Bowness and NT Fell Foot Park Windermere Canoe and Kayak are perfectly placed for you to explore this beautiful body of water by canoe, kayak or SUP Windermere Canoe Kayak
Horse Riding
The Lake District is meant to be seen from horse back. There are hundreds of miles of bridleways and ancient packhorse routes just waiting to be explored. Whatever your ability there is a ride to suit you can enjoy a hack out, a pony trek, fell rides with Bigland Hall or guided day trail rides or even gallops on the area’s coastline from the back of a heavy horse with Cumbrian Heavy Horses
Mountain Biking Skills Courses
The Lakes are made for getting off road on a mountain bike – what could be better than heading out for the day on the area’s amazing natural trails? Why not take your riding skills to new levels with some professional tuition with one of our local providers where you can learn about body position for riding on descents and technical climbs, how and when to control your speed, handle corners, pick lines, control direction and vision, and blaze through difficult terrain. Courses are offered by a number of providers including Cycle Active
Enjoy A Predator Experience
Enjoy a walk in the stunning Cumbrian countryside with a hawk as they follow you flying tree to tree. Get up close and personal and fly these amazing birds into your gloved hand. Or experience the majesty of being out on the open fells with a magnificent Golden Eagle wheeling high above you. Or have the ultimate predator experience and walk with wolves in the Lakeland landscape – be part of the pack and walk foot by paw on an exhilarating journey with Maska and Kajika and join their wolf hybrid pack Predator Experience
Guided Walks
The Lake District is without doubt one of the UK’s favourite walking destinations made famous by erstwhile walking guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright. As you can imagine there are a huge range of walks to experience from gentle ambles alongside rivers, streams and lakes to rugged challenging fell top routes taking in England’s highest peaks including Scafell Pike. It could be that you’re looking for a challenging one-day hill walk or a gentle stroll, whatever takes your fancy why not enjoy a guided walk led by one of the guides from Ambleside Adventure
Guided Swims
Do you enjoy a sense of freedom, love exploring and even doing something just a little different? Then head to the Lake District and discover some of the best wild swimming locations in the UK, with river lake and waterfall swims galore just waiting for you… But if you want the ultimate experience and a bit of inside knowledge why not join a guided swim adventure swim or a short wild swim with the team from Swim the Lakes and enjoy swims like Poets Punt or Down the River Without a Paddle Swim The Lakes
4×4 Hire
Get behind the wheel of a specially prepared 4×4 and discover the Lake District from a new angle. First time or advanced expeditions for individuals, families or groups to take the wheel, or you can bring your own 4×4. Learn new driving skills as you are expertly guided on challenging rough and rocky off road terrain on a gripping journey with a spectacular lake and mountain backdrop. If you fancy doing your own thing you could always enjoy a self-drive safari and embark on an adventurous journey of discovery exploring a mix of historic off road Lakeland tracks and winding back roads at your own pace with the guidance of top of the range GPS system Kankku
High Ropes Courses
Fancy swinging through the trees or zipping along and taking in the views well there are lots of options to choose.
You can swing like a monkey through the trees with GoApe in Grizedale or Whinlatter Forests. Enjoy swinging through the canopy, flying 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and gawping at the forest canopy 18 metres up an awesome Douglas Fir. Or you could try your hand at monkeying around in England’s only true mountain Forest at Whinlatter as you ride zip slides through skies and over water against the backdrop of some of the most amazing scenery around. Go Ape Cumbria
Or you can visit Tree Top Trek, based at Brockhole, overlooking Windermere, and pit yourself against 35 ‘treemendous’ treetop challenges, all designed to make you swing, climb, balance and fly through ancient woodland canopy… Tree Top Trek
Via Ferrata Classic, Xtreme and Climb the Mine
Following the original Miners route to the top of the Fleetwith Pike, Via Ferrata Classic is a perfect introduction for those wanting a little bit more from their adventures – a chance to move out of their comfort zone into a much more stimulating experience!
Xtreme is much more mountain at twice the height of the Shard this is the ultimate… with edge exposure, vertical climbs, cliff edge ladders plus a 100 metre long Burma Bridge seriously long cargo net scramble thrown into the mix.
Climb the mine is perfect indoor adrenaline fuelled fun deep inside the very heart of a Lake District mountain. Following the route of the original underground mine workings, with vertical climbs and rope-bridge crossings, this weather-proof experience sees adventurers venture deep underground to explore a secret world of hidden passages and magnificent caverns Honister
Segway
Fancy getting off the beaten track and having a bit of fun along the way? Then there are a couple of Segway experiences just waiting to be discovered.
You can hit the wilderness with GoApe Forest Segway and get off the beaten explore the forest on the latest in green technology, a self-balancing electric Segway Go Ape Cumbria
Or for a totally different experience why not visit Lakeland Segway in Cartmel and enjoy a guided tour through the grounds of the picturesque Holker Estate and Cartmel Racecourse taking in the beauty of this ancient country estate
Lakeland Segway
Hot Air Ballooning
A hot air balloon flight over the Lake District, Cumbria is a truly unforgettable experience. You will enjoy totally breath-taking views from a totally unique perspective. As you drift gently across the stunning landscapes at anything up to 5,000 feet you will wonder at the sights so far below Virgin Balloon Flights Lakes
Fishing
Cumbria is renowned for its lakes and sparkling rivers – the perfect place for a day’s fishing in both spectacular and intimate surroundings. Those seeking quieter places can also find far less frequented areas such as the Western Lake District coast, the Western Dales and the simply stunning Eden Valley. There really is something for everyone to enjoy Lake District Fishing
For those after some insider knowledge expert fly fishing tuition is available at Esthwaite Water a first class, well managed trout fishery with excellent facilities for boat or bank fishing. It is regularly stocked with quality trout throughout the season perfect for beginner and seasoned expert alike. As well as fantastic trout fishing, you can enjoy Esthwaite’s legendary winter pike fishing as well as general coarse fishing Hawkshead Trout Fishery
Gyrocopter Flights
Enjoy a flying experience with a difference in a twin seat gyroplane. Take in some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside with flights over parts of the Yorkshire Dales, Hadrian’s Wall and the Lake District. You can if you choose experience the sheer thrill of taking control of the aircraft for as much or as little of the flight as you like – or you can simply sit back and relax and snap away with your camera to your hearts content, the choice is yours!
There are three flight options lasting 30 minutes, 60 minute and 90 minutes. There is also the option to build a bespoke experience subject to weather conditions Lake District Gyroplanes
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Clay pigeon shooting is a thrilling sport, a perfect introduction to country pursuits and one that people of all ages can enjoy. The Crabtree Clay Shoot, near Lupton, takes place in a sporting set-up, in gullies and among trees against a backdrop of rolling countryside. Shooting takes place on Wednesday and Saturdays. There are a variety of shooting packages available for the complete novice right up to the experienced shot. Guns are available for hire at a small charge or you’re welcome to bring your own gun if you have one and have a licence Crabtree Clay Shoot
Indoor Climbing
Keen to brush up on your climbing skills before hitting the Lake District fells and the birthplace of modern climbing? There are a couple of places you can hone your skills to the max. You can check out the indoor and outdoor pitches at the Lakeland Climbing Centre, Kendal, – one of the most extensive indoor climbing and vertical adventure centres in the UK. The Centre boasts the tallest indoor climbing wall in the country, the finest bouldering walls in the North West of England, The Tool Box, dedicated Training Room, Kendal CrazyClimb and Skyline Indoor Aerial Adventure, Europe’s first indoor Via Ferrata Kendal Climbing Wall
If you fancy a different set of challenges check out The King Kong Climbing Centre, Keswick, climbing with its multitude of climbing angles from slabs to mega overhangs. Or you pit yourself against their indoor caving system; where you will have to crawl, squeeze and weasel your way through from the bottom of climbing wall to the cavern. If Caving isn’t your thing, then why not give their Ice Wall a go… That’s right a real ice wall, housed in a chilled compartment that takes the temperature down to -20°C in an evening then brought up to -6°C during the day to bring the ice into its best climbing condition. This is a great way to try an extreme sport, which not many people get a chance to experience King Kong Climbing Centre Keswick.