On the Rocks

Climbing  

We offer a number of options including the ‘real thing’ learning on one of South Lakeland’s scenic outcrops or trying longer multi-pitch mountain routes in the heart of the Lake District. We also have a mobile climbing tower which can be taken to hotels, schools and events. For the cooler months we use Lakeland’s well developed indoor climbing walls.

Top of page ~ on the rocks ~ on the water ~ in the gorge ~ in the trees ~ in the hills ~ under-ground ~Top of Page

On the water

Canoeing

Tandem open canoes are a great way to get out and about on the water and are popular with anyone wanting a canoeing rather than swimming experience! For longer trips, greater stability and speed we can catamaran the boats, and even add a sail. We use mainly Windermere and Coniston lakes but also have a mobile fleet that can go anywhere.   

Kayaking 

Single seat closed cockpit boats popular with those who are not afraid to fall in – although this is generally an optional extra and not a necessity!. Great for youth groups, families, and adults who like a bit of fun. Trips along the lakeshore, games, paddle skills, safety, rescue and star tests. Taster sessions are £35 for adults and £30 for children 

Raft Building and Races

This is a very popular activity with those who enjoy some competitive light hearted fun. Build your own barrel and log craft, then test it's sea-worthiness, will it hold your crew or dunk them?. A short voyage along the lakeshore to develop your crew and then it's a head-to-head race to the finish line, best team wins of course! Popular with all ages, it needs at least 4 to paddle a raft, (more if children).

Wild Canoeing

Journey quietly along the shoreline of the lake and you will see a range of wildlife; in addition to water fowl and the circling buzzards; avoiding the ‘lesser spotted tourist’ greatly increases your chances of seeing squirrels and deer in the woods along the lakeshore. Cooking a simple backwoods meal or brewing up afternoon tea is also an option. Prices from £40pp or £65pp including cooking your own 2 course lunch over an open fire.

Canoe Journey with Bushcraft

Learn the basics of how to light a fire and some simple cooking techniques then paddle off across the lake and create your own ‘wilderness’ experience – are you skilled enough to produce a hot drink on a open fire and serve it with your own freshly made scones and jam?  A swim from the island rocks is also a popular part of this activity. Normal session 4 hours, suitable for fire-aware children or over 9’s.  

White Water Canoeing

In the wetter months there are opportunites for easy white water river descents. Ideal for those who have tried canoeing before or those who like a challenge. Grade 1 & 2 rivers are used with genrally straight forward rapids and shoots. The choice of venue will depend on the river levels. For groups with inexperienced members we use open canoes, more experienced groups sometimes opt for kayaks.   I

Top of page ~ on the rocks ~ on the water ~ in the gorge ~ in the trees ~ in the hills ~ under-ground ~Top of Page

In the Gorge

Gorge Walking  (or Ghyll Scrambling)

Call it what you will it is definitely NOT a walk!  A great way to experience the Lakeland scenery  scrambling up a spectacular mountain beck :  traverse  deep pools, climb small waterfalls, swim and jump in when you feel like it - it is a wet activity!  Water levels obviously affect this activity and the fun is adjusted accordingly.

Mountain Ghyll Scrambling

For those who would prefer a slightly drier option we recommend a scramble up a mountain ghyll;  while it will still involve wet feet - it is not the total immersion experience of gorge walking or canyoning!  Mountain standard footwear/jackets will be needed for walking down the path afterwards.  Also a good introduction for those wanting to become self sufficient in this activity. Session approx 3hrs or all day

Canyoning

Canyoning is an exhilarating way to spend your day. The day begins with a training abseil session in a nearby quarry, which allows us to complete a longer stretch of the Canyon. We then enter the canyon and jump, slide and abseil down spectacular waterfalls, surrounded by dramatic Lake District fells. Half days are possible but don't include the abseils. Minimum age generally 16.

Aquaseiling

Descend some spectacular waterfalls in style,. Abseiling through clear flowing cascades is not for the timid. The full trip is usually an all day affair and is only for adults. Half day sessions are available and suitable for teenagers and adults.  

Stream Scrambling

For younger families we recommend a woodland stream scramble. Working together you can boulder-hop your way to the top, with small cascades and bridges to go under there is plenty of opportunity to get wet- for those who want to!. Session approx. 2 hrs

In the Trees

Top of page ~ on the rocks ~ on the water ~ in the gorge ~ in the trees ~ in the hills ~ under-ground ~Top of Page

Bushcraft and Backwoods Skills

We run these activities at a variety of levels. Popular is the basic introduction: putting up a shelter, starting a fire with flint/steel, cooking up some basic grub (pizza/pancakes level not bush tucker!). For the more adventurous we recommend a whole day of bushcraft skills culminating in producing a meal on an open fire eating with utensils made in the woods. Sleeping out experiences also available.

High and Low Ropes Courses

Thrills to suit all levels of adventure seeker. High ropes elements come in a number of forms (all require life line belays supervised by a qualified instructor);  tree climbs,  high all aboard (get 4 people onto a tiny platform at the top of a pole),  pamper pole/leap of faith(climb the pole then jump off into space - and let your harness and safety system catch you), crate stack (can you get the stack to 20ft before they collapse - requires teamwork and some initiative)

Orienteering

How competitive are you? Great fun for groups or families. Learn the tricks then navigate round the woodland course (look out for deer and squirrels) various levels of challenge to suit all abilities plas a highly competitive score event to really get the adrenalin pumping

Archery

Target archery, who fancies they could be Robin Hood? Needs to be  combined with another woodland activity like: low ropes, high ropes. tree climb tyrolean  or orienteering to make a half day session.

Zip Wire

Have you got what it takes to takeoff on the High Zipwre? Best combined with another woodland activity to make a half day.  Special event? Why not include an indulgent chocolate fondue while you watch your friends fly the wire! 

On the Hill

Top of page ~ on the rocks ~ on the water ~ in the gorge ~ in the trees ~ in the hills ~ under-ground ~Top of Page

Mountain Days

Let the experts take you to interesting places by interesting routes.For beginners who want a flavour of the mountains, or for experienced walkers who want to tackle something a bit more adventurous like.Jacks Rake. For anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and see the best of the Lake District in the company of a knowledgeable expert.  You can also develop your navigation skills or learn to use that GPS!

Mountain Scrambles

This has got to be the best way to get off the beaten track and defiantly the most interesting way to ascend a mountain.  Choose either an introduction to scrambling and pick up some great tips to help you gain the confidence to become independent in the mountains, or choose a guided trip up a classic scramble in the safe hands of an experienced Mountain Instructor. (Not suitable for young children)

Special Interest Valley Walks

lakes isn't all mountains, there are valleys, woodland glades and secret tarns, all crammed with interesting plants, animals and archeology . Whether it's Coniston Copper Mines and industrial archeology or Beatrix Potter and the wooded slopes above Windermere, there is something of interest for everyone

Winter Walks

There is very little as special as looking across fells in snow, it is a scene as old as time, yet pristine and untouched. Need to learn how to make best use of your ice axe and crampons?  Want to get up high when the world is white? Call us to find out what fells are in condition and what will suit you. 

Underground

Top of page ~ on the rocks ~ on the water ~ in the gorge ~ in the trees ~ in the hills ~ under-ground ~Top of Page

Caving

Cascades and caverns in spectacular settings. Just a few miles from the edge of Lake District, spreading into the Dales, lies the largest most spectacular caving region of the UK. For a truly memorable experience we suggest a trip underground.  Enjoy walking down the water worn steam passageways, negotiating series of small cascades to reach passages with spectacular formations including gower pools, stalactites and stalagmites. For the more daring there are waterfalls to descend and narrow passages to explore, all in the safe hands of an expert. .

Potholing

For those with some 'previous'  in caving; we offer a range of  vertical trips of varying difficulty, including spectacular waterfall abseils, short ladder climbs and small twisty passages.  

Lakeland Slate Quarry Experience 

Suitable for families and those who would like an adventurous walk through some short relatively dry passages in the spectacular setting of Cathedral Quarry. For the more adventurous this can be combined with an abseil session.