Canyoning In the Lake District
What is canyoning?
Descending (going down) a mountain stream
Canyoning is descending (going down) a mountain stream. This typically involves a combination of either some or all of the following: sliding, jumping, abseiling, zip-lining and being lowered on a rope down waterfalls. What’s not to like?
Is it different to ghyll scrambling? People get hung up with what the difference is between canyoning and ghyll scrambling is. The only difference is that with one you go up and the other you come down a mountain stream. Both of these Lake District activities are great fun and both should be considered an equal option.
Check out our Lake District Canyoning Experiences
Coppermines Canyon
- Coniston
- 2 - 3 Hours (from meeting to leaving)
- From £50 (per person)
What’s Involved?
A very adventurous and aquatic outing involving jumps, slides and roped lowers down waterfalls.
Who is it for?
Suitable for adults and adventurous children of 12 years and above. Adults shouldn’t be put off by the age limit. It’s 12+ due to being able to bypass jumps.
Crypt Canyon
- Secret Location
- 2.5 - 3.5 Hours (from meeting to leaving)
- From £80 (per person)
What’s Involved?
A great canyoning descent. Theres no deep pools but plenty of abseiling down waterfalls and a heart stopping zip-line.
Who is it for?
This is for adults only (18+)
Devils Canyon
- Secret Location
- 5 - 6 Hours (from meeting to leaving)
- From £130 (per person)
What’s Involved?
A mega canyoning descent involving big abseils & terrifying zip-lines off huge waterfalls as well as slides, and an optional jump. Its action galore!
Who is it for?
This is for adults only (18+)
Looking for prices, booking or more info?
what's Involved in Lake District Canyoning?
If you want an adrenaline fuelled adventure whilst visiting the Lake District then book canyoning with us!
Canyoning is descending a mountain stream. This is often using ropes during the descent as well as jumping and sliding. It’s an epic way to see the natural canyons of the Lake District. The water is clear, the pools are deep and you get to explore parts of the canyons others can’t reach. That almost rhymed!
After booking online you will be provided with an info sheet for the location you have chosen. This will have everything you need to know. You will need to provide your height, weight and usual clothing size before the day along with any medical issues. If you don’t provide your sizes don’t expect a wetsuit that fits!
who does Canyoning suit?
We have a locations suitable for all ages from 12 years and above. Coppermines Canyon is suitable for adventurous children from 12+. Crypt Canyon and Devils Canyon are adults only.
You must have a reasonable level of fitness to take part. There are size and weight limits on each of our Lake District canyoning activities and these are here to ensure you properly fit the safety equipment.
Canyoning is amazing for those that enjoy being in water and getting submerged in it. It’s an exciting way to see the Lake District and all it’s wonderful scenery.
What we provide:
When you attend one of our Canyoning activities, you will typically be provided the following:
A two piece wetsuit specifically designed for the activity you are taking part in. They are the warmest and thickest wetsuits on the market. No-one has better wetsuits than us.
Wetsuit socks to ensure your feet are warm and comfortable throughout your session.
A helmet & harness and all the equipment needed to safely run the activity including a dry storage tub for personal medication.
A qualified guide with over a decade of experience running these sessions.
Quality photos and videos of your session. Every photo on this website was taken by us during a session.
A buoyancy aid is occasionally given to offer extra warmth. The wetsuits are buoyant enough to negate the need for a buoyancy aid to be used for floatation.
What to bring with you:
If you’ve booked one of our Canyoning locations then we recommend bringing the following:
- Trainers to wear during the activity
- Swimming Costume/trunks
- Rash vest / gym type top
- Towel
- Changing robe
- Personal medication
Depending on the location you may also need snacks and a drink.
Looking for prices, booking or more info?
Safety info:
We have lower age limits but no upper age limits. If you are concerned about your health or fitness please consult with your doctor before booking.
Our wetsuits fit up to a XXL man/size 18 woman. We usually find anyone exceeding 18 stone will not fit the safety equipment. Your waist must not exceed 46 inches or the harness will not fit correctly.
Water levels in the canyons fluctuate depending on recent rainfall. We have built up a lot of experience in various water conditions. When water levels are too high and dangerous to enter we can offer an alternative activity or location.
How Long will a Canyoning session last?
This depends on your chosen location. Expect to be out 2-3 hours, 2.5 – 3.5 hours or 5-6 hours.
We can’t give a more accurate timing as everyone’s fitness levels and groups sizes are different. If you are in a group of 2 we expect you will be quicker than a large group. Equally an athletic group will be faster than a group of mixed abilities.
what time of year?
We run all locations between the end of March and end of October usually. Coppermines Canyon we can often run throughout the Winter months.
We provide extra kit in the winter months and the sessions are adults only. Stickle Ghyll is another location we run in the winter- an excellent option in the colder months. Check out our abseiling too!
pro's & cons:
Pro’s
- Adventurous option
- Great if you love water
- Get to experience some pools others can’t reach without ropes!
- Excellent choice for an active break away
Cons:
- Not great for the very unfit
- No good if you don’t like water or being submerged in it
- Terrible if you are terrified of walking on slippy rocks
Lake District Canyoning Photo Gallery
Our Latest FAQ
All of the activities we offer are physical and involve a degree of fitness (some more than others). We recommend you look at each individual activity page to see if it is suitable for you. All of our activities involve wearing a harness, so your waist cannot exceed 46 inches or the safety equipment will not fit.
This is impossible to answer without knowing you or your group personally. If you read each activity page it will hopefully help, we can also give general guidance.
A deposit is required to secure your chosen date, time and activity if you are booking more than 14 days in advance. Your deposit is non refundable or transferable. Full payment is required within 14 days.
No, Sorry. None of our activities are suitable for a dog to join in with.
There are no refunds/rescheduling if you miss the meet time and the session may start without you. You may be joining others, we may have a group after you etc so can’t always delay the start time. Allow plenty of time to travel around the Lake District. The traffic from Windermere especially from mid morning can be very slow with jams. Mobile reception is limited but we will have your mobile number and you will have ours on the PDF Info sheet you receive when you book.
You will lose the deposit payment if you cancel with more than 14 days notice. If you cancel within 14 days you will lose the full balance.
You will receive a full refund- or you can opt to rebook. There is no pressure to do this option. If we cancel because of dangerous water conditions at a location (ghyll/canyoning) then we will try to offer an alternative if possible, which you are under no obligation to do.
We run our activities in all weather conditions if it’s safe to do so. If it’s raining and/or cold the activity will go ahead. Wrap up warm with waterproof clothing if you’re abseiling. For ghyll scrambling/canyoning we have high quality, thick canyoning specific wetsuits especially imported from Spain. We wear the same wetsuits as you – so you know you are getting excellent quality. If the rain has been heavy and persistent we may have to cancel/ swap locations if the water levels are dangerous (see question above)