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Outdoor Activities & Adventures
We are not just about lakes. Here in the Lake District we have the A-Z of outdoor adventuring, from Abseiling to Zip Lining and everything in between. It is therefore no wonder that this outstanding National Park is often referred to as the Adventure Capital of the UK. Whether you prefer a gentle paddle on the calm waters of Derwentwater, or an adrenaline fuelled climb on the UK’s only Via Ferrata, there is something for everyone. What is more, you don’t have to be an expert to join in, as there are plenty of opportunities for novices old and young to get involved.
Most of the activities available require some basic tuition, which is why, unless otherwise stated, we recommend that you use one of the many expert companies to guide you on these experiences. Some also have a minimum age and level of fitness requirement so do check before booking to avoid disappointment.
4x4 Off Road Driving
If you want to explore some of the Lake District wilderness but are not keen on a long trek, then 4x4 off-road adventures may be for you. If you have your own 4x4, you are welcome to use it on one of the many legal routes in the area. Alternatively, you can enjoy a session on private land with an activity company.
Abseiling
Step back, take a deep breath, and take the plunge. Abseiling involves dropping down a steep cliff face whilst attached to a rope and harness. It takes a lot of courage, and trust, but it is an exhilarating way to explore the Lakeland countryside, and one that will leave you with memories for a life time.
Archery
Thankfully, the days when we relied on the humble bow and arrow to feed ourselves have long gone, but the sport of archery has remained. In the Lake District, not only can you practice target archery, but you can also get a taste of what it was like in medieval times by engaging in combat archery and field archery, using dummy arrows and animal models.
Bouldering and Scrambling
Bouldering and scrambling are popular activities in the Lake District where ridges, such as Striding Edge near Helvellyn offer a thrilling challenge. Clambering over rocks, using only hands, feet, and the rock formations, bouldering and scrambling are a real test of strength, stamina, and coordination, and require a good level of fitness and ability.
Bushcraft
Ever wonder how you would survive if you suddenly found yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere? A bushcraft course will teach you about the basics of survival, including plant and tree identification, foraging, knife work, rope and knot work, shelter building, fire lighting, and how to get clean water for drinking.
Canoeing
Whether it be a leisurely paddle around a lake, a thrilling white water ride, the Lake District is a great place to go canoeing. You can take lessons with qualified instructors, take part in a canoeing expedition, or simply hire a boat for a few hours and enjoy the scenery from a different perspective.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
You don’t need to be the next Bradley Wiggins or Victoria Pendleton to enjoy the Lake District by bike. Cycling is a sport that just about anybody can enjoy and the Lake District offers routes suitable for bikes with everything from quiet country lanes to steep mountain tracks. Either bring your own bike, hire one, or book onto a guided activity.
Guided Fell Walks
Here in the Lake District, there are over 150 peaks with many fells having multiple routes of varying difficulty up to the summit. If you are a beginner, you might want to check out some of the guided walks listed in this section. Otherwise, have a look through our Fell Walk Routes, which are arranged by difficulty and includes some great step-by-step family-friendly routes.
Fishing
For some it’s an idyllic way to pass an afternoon away from the cares and worries of work and home. For others it’s a competitive sport with an adrenaline rush as the catch is reeled in. Whatever your motivation, you will find plenty of opportunities for fishing in the Lake District.
Ghyll Scrambling
Given all the lakes and how much it rains in the Lake District, its little wonder then that an activity has been developed that is improved by rain. Ghyll Scrambling takes advantage of the Lake District’s wet climate by taking you up and down mountain streams, over boulders and up through waterfalls.
Golfing
Whether you want to experience one of the oldest golf courses or one of the highest golf courses, the Lake District has it all. From right next to the coast to high up amongst the fells, you will find some of the most spectacular courses with panoramic views. What’s more, you don’t have to be a member to experience these fantastic courses, as all of the courses featured here accept visitors.
Gyroplane Flights
Whilst Scafell Pike might offer views across the sea to the Isle of Wight, and Helvellyn is surrounded by an epic landscape of peaks and ridges, nothing can compare to the views available from a gyroplane. Taking to the skies in these unique flying machines gives you an opportunity to experience the Lake District from new heights.
High Ropes Courses
Traversing along a rope, high in the tree tops, is a sure way to test your nerve and sense of balance. High Ropes courses offer both mental and physical challenges as you navigate your way across rope bridges, wooden beams, and nets, all suspended high above the ground.
Horse Riding
Taking routes that vehicles can’t access, horse riding offers another way of exploring the rugged landscapes of the Lake District. Whether it be a gentle pony ride around the private grounds of an activity centre, or a more exhilarating gallop along the Cumbrian coast, you can experience it all.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
A hot air balloon ride will give you a new perspective of the Lake District, one that is utterly peaceful and serene, as you drift further and further away from the noise of the ground. You will be able to view some of the Lake District’s most recognisable landmarks, all from above as you float silently through the sky.
Indoor Climbing
Bring an outdoor adventure indoors, and challenge yourself away from the downpours at one of the Lake District’s indoor climbing walls. It may not be an “outdoor activity”, but for most people, indoor climbing walls provide the first stepping stone towards outdoor climbing.
Kayaking
With its closed cockpit design giving you great protection from the elements, the kayak is a great way to explore faster moving water, though if you prefer you can stick to a gentle paddle on a lake. Here in the Lake District you can take a lesson in kayaking, or if you prefer, you can simply hire one for your own adventure.
Orienteering and Navigation Courses
In the age of GPS and smart phones, it can be easy to become reliant on technology for navigating. However, GPS signals can be unreliable, batteries can run out, and you can suddenly find yourself stranded. Navigation skills are therefore vital and orienteering builds on those skills to create a fun and unique challenge.
Paintballing
If you have come to the Lake District with a group of thrill-seeking friends, then paintballing might give you the adrenaline rush you are looking for. Armed with a paint gun, paint pellets, and safety goggles, you can clamber over obstacles, hide in undergrowth, and seek to eliminate members of the opposing team.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
The Lake District might not be the ideal destination for surfing, but we do have the next best thing: Stand Up Paddle Boarding. A cross between canoeing and surfing, the sport involves standing on a paddle board and propelling yourself forward using a paddle.
Quad Biking
A Quad Bike, also known as an All-Terrain Vehicle, or ATV, is a small, usually single-seater vehicle that is designed to be able to tackle uneven terrain. They are popular amongst farmers, but also for recreational use as they allow users to quickly navigate through land that may be otherwise too difficult to reach.
Paragliding & Skydiving
Giving an entirely different perspective to the lakes and fells of the Lake District, skydiving and paragliding are both thrilling experiences that will provide you with memories that last a lifetime. Whether you choose the more adrenaline fuelled skydiving, or the gentler yet breath-taking paragliding, you will certainly receive a spectacular ride.
Rock Climbing
You have hiked up Skiddaw, scrambled over Striding Edge, tested your skills on an indoor climbing wall, and now you want to move on to the next stage of your mountain adventure. In the Lake District, there are a plethora of opportunities for you to take mountain climbing to the next level.
Sailing
Once the driving force of great naval fleets, and now largely the preserve of recreational enthusiasts, sail boats provide a tranquil method of exploring the Lake District. Although often seen as an activity for the wealthy, sailing is more affordable than you think, especially here in Cumbria.
Segway Tours
Explore the Lake District’s forests and estates without raising a sweat by taking part in a Segway tour. These two wheeled machines may have a niche appeal in the wider world, but here in the Lake District they are an increasingly popular tourist attraction, enabling visitors to move about quickly through picturesque landscapes.
Shooting: Clay Pigeon & Air Rifle
A test of precision and accuracy, shooting, whether it be at clay pigeons with shotguns, or at targets with air rifles, requires a good level of concentration and an eye for detail. For some, it is a controversial sport, whilst for others, it is a popular recreational activity that tests a number of skills. In the Lake District, there are several ranges where you can safely try this sport.
Raft Building
Raft Building is a team event, so is an ideal challenge if you are visiting the Lake District with a large group of friends or family. It is popular with stag and hen groups and provides a fun and challenging way to bring the whole group together. Using a collection of materials you must design and build your raft, then set sail on the waters.
Via Ferrata
Want to experience the thrill of an extreme mountain climb but are not sure about the risks involved? Via Ferrata, or “Iron Road” provides a safe way of ascending up extreme routes. Originating in the Alps, Via Ferrata uses ladders, steel cables, and other items to provide a permanent and secure route up a mountainside that would be inaccessible via walking alone.