check out
stickle ghyll
More Details...
- Langdale
- 2 - 3 Hours (from meeting to leaving)
- From £50 (per person)
What’s Involved?
An ascent involving climbing waterfalls both with and without a rope, fun challenges and some plunge pools.
Who is it for?
This is for adults and families with adventurous children of 9+. Adult groups shouldn’t be put off by the age limit. Its 9+ because every obstacle is avoidable.
The venue:
Stickle Ghyll is situated in Langdale in the South of the Lake District National Park. It is a cracking ghyll scrambling ascent of a mountain stream in a stunning mountain setting.
During this 2-3 hour experience you will scale this stream battling with its waterfalls any tackling its numerous challenges as you go.
This is great for those that want to spend a couple of hours climbing stunning cascades and falls in a beautiful setting.
The parking at the location is pay and display. Changing will take place at the cars prior to setting off.
This location is popular for hikers as there are numerous walks starting here. For Lake District ghyll scrambling activities it’s a brilliant setting. You can be sure of some spectators watching from the path as you tackle the challenges we offer at Stickle Ghyll.
what's Involved at Stickle Ghyll?
Once we have met and changed into wetsuits we will then walk the 2 minute walk-in to the entry point. From here a safety brief will be given and we will then tackle many challenges including climbing waterfalls and a small jump till we reach and conquer the final obstacle.
It is a strenuous outing due to the steep terrain. The challenges get much harder and more exciting during higher water levels. But, don’t worry, all challenges are avoidable.
Once finished we head back down the path to the cars, get changed and say our goodbyes.
who does Stickle Ghyll suit?
This is fine for “first-timers” – no previous experience is necessary. The ghyll scramble is for adults and families with adventurous children of 9 years and over. This is because all challenges are avoidable here-on the other locations they are not. This does not mean this activity is not fun or challenging!
Although all obstacles are avoidable it is recommended that participants should be confident in water and/or okay with heights. The ability to swim is not essential.
You must be able to walk unaided over slippery and rocky terrain without being crippled by the fear of falling over to best enjoy this Lake District experience.
The ghyll can be physically demanding as it takes place on steep terrain so please bear this in mind.
All under 18’s must be accompanied by their own parent or legal guardian.
Looking for prices, booking or more info?
Safety info:
This ghyll scramble is the most changeable one that we do. In normal levels (the majority of the year) it is just great wet fun. In rare prolonged periods of dry weather the stream can run low. While in periods of heavy prolonged rain it can be extremely aquatic, very full-on and a challenge for the most hardy. Our Winter adult only sessions here are epic!
It is rare for an adult group to be cancelled due to high water levels as this location can be ran in most levels. But it does happen a few times a year. Higher water levels transforms this location into one of our most exciting outings, which makes it a great option in times of prolonged rain. Groups with smaller children can be cancelled if the levels are too high.
what's PROVIDED:
When you attend the Stickle Ghyll experience day with us, we will provide you the following equipment:
- Canyoning wetsuit (10mm) – a clean and dry 2-piece wetsuit that has been specifically designed for canyoning. It’s 10mm thick, warm, buoyant and has an optional hood.
- Wetsuit Socks (3mm) – Clean and dry and 3mm. Any thicker and you wouldn’t get your shoes over the top.
- Helmet
- Harness
- All ghyll equipment
- Medical kit with a dry storage container for personal medication
- Photo’s and videos– taken by the instructor and shared at the end of the session. All photo’s on this page were taken during a session on our phone camera.
wHAT TO BRING:
There’s a few items we’d recommend bringing with you to make the experience as smooth and as comfortable as possible. This includes:
- Old trainers – see info sheet
- Socks – optional additional layer
- Swimming costume /trunks /underwear -for wearing underneath wetsuit
- Rash vest /base layer /gym t-shirt – (not cotton – its cold when wet) – for walking up and wearing underneath wetsuit
- Personal medication – i.e inhaler, insulin etc
- Towel
HOW LONG WILL IT last?
The activity will last no more than 3 hours from the point we meet to the point we say goodbye.
It usually takes 2-3 hours but the exact time depends on group size, the confidence and ability as well as the fitness of the participants and also the water conditions.
what time of year?
We run this all year with adults – even through the winter. With children we start the season around March and end it around October/early November. Please be aware that the sessions go ahead even if it is cold, windy, raining and even snowing to a point. Please have this in mind if you book for the colder months as there is more chance of poor weather and you need to be up for it.
So to reinforce the point further – please expect for the ghyll scramble to go ahead even in poor weather and if you are not keen on this idea then don’t book. The only time we cancel this activity is if the conditions make the activity unsafe – and this decision is made by the instructor and is usually due to dangerously high water levels.
meeting location:
The meeting point is The Sticklebarn Pub Car Park (National Trust), Great Langdale, LA22 9JU . This is the BIG National Trust car park with the shed in it.
The parking is pay and display unless you are a member of the National Trust. Changing will take place at your cars. You are looking for a silver logo’d van parked up. Please leave enough time for travelling as there is no refunds for people who turn up late. More detailed instructions regarding the meeting location is attached to the Info Sheet on your booking confirmation.
pro's & cons:
Pro’s
- Suitable for “first-timers”
- Suitable in normal conditions for those who don’t wish to get fully submerged
- Great for spectators
- Can be ran in flood conditions (group dependant)
- Good waterfall climbs
- Jump/climbs can be avoided
- Two pubs at the start/end point
- Bus transport links
- Easy to find
- Public toilets
Cons:
- No changing area where we park (we use cars and towels)
- Not suitable for people not good with heights
- Tiring
- Not for all levels of fitness or abilities
Stickle Ghyll 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.
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).