Alternative Adrenaline-Pumping Adventures

When someone says ‘Lake District’, the first thing you think of is hill walking, cosy cafes, beautiful views, and field after field of Herdwick sheep, right? Well, for many of us, perhaps yourself included, the Lakes offers a playground of sorts for some rather more extreme activities! If you’re feeling like you want to step outside your comfort zone and try something that will get your adrenaline racing, then take a look at this list of alternative adventures to try here in Cumbria! We’ve also listed some more family friendly options too if you and your little tribe are all heading out together…

Nb. Please only undertake these activities with a qualified instructor, we don’t want to unnecessarily over burden our wonderful Mountain Rescue, or Lake Warden Services!

1. Winter Ice Climbing

   The Lakes provides an enthralling natural playground for the winter explorer. Although conditions are unpredictable and often short lived, some of the most beautiful days here are right in the middle of Winter, when the snow and ice bring out the features of the land, and the bustling villages on the valley floors glow with the promise of a post-adventure brew. A day spent ice-climbing will certainly earn you that reward as it is very physically and mentally challenging. The South-East Gully on Great End, or Moss Ghyll on Scafell are perhaps the most loved spots to tackle an ascent, and your instructor will help you pick out the right route, help to keep you safe, and teach you lots of new skills along the way. It’s absolutely essential to have the right gear; including good boots and crampons, ice axes, a helmet, and plenty of warm layers, as well as all the equipment you would normally take on a day out in the fells. The early bird catches the worm, so we’d recommend staying at Scafell View Apartments, or Windsor Cottages so you can be up with the lark and get stuck into some climbing without a long drive before you start the day.

2. Scuba Diving

We usually associate Scuba Diving with exotic countries and warmer climates, but there’s a growing bunch of hardy divers who love exploring the waters closer to home. Wastwater, Coniston, and Crummock Water are all popular places to get under the surface, and there are some well established dive centres in Whitehaven, Carlisle, and Capernwray (just to the South of Milnthorpe), who can help train you up and take you on a day out. Look out for the gnome garden 45m deep in Wastwater (stay at Windsor Cottages), and eels and char in Coniston (stay at The Coniston Inn). If you’re keen to keep your head firmly above the surface, but would still like to immerse yourself in one of Cumbria’s lakes, then wild swimming could be for you! There are many guides and instructors who can take you out for a safe and memorable swimming experience! 

3. Paragliding

If watching drone footage just isn’t cutting it for you, and you want to get some fantastic aerial views of the lakes for yourself, then why not try paragliding? You can do taster days, tandem flights, or full on 5-day courses with some of the best flyers and instructors in the country, right here on our doorstep! With most centres running from April through to November, you can get some eyes in the sky and learn a thrilling new skill that will really get your brain working and your blood pumping! Borrowdale is the place to base yourself for paragliding, and The Leathes Head Country House Hotel is sublime, as is the well positioned Borrowdale Gates Hotel. If paragliding sounds like a step too far outside of your comfort zone, then you can book onto a hot air balloon flight and see this stunning county from above at a bit more of a leisurely pace!

4. Via Ferrata

The Honister Valley is full of history, stories, tragedy, trade, and breathtaking beauty, and you can get up close and personal with the towering rock faces of this stunning valley on the Honister Slate Mine Via Ferrata course! With a choice between the ‘Classic’ route, and the ‘Extreme’ route, you can challenge yourself to an unforgettable adventure, and learn about the fascinating history of the mine along the way. There’s also a great shop and cafe at the base, where other sorts of activities and tours are also offered. Nearby accommodation includes Littlebeck, Glaramara, and Brasscam! 

5. Huskies, Horses & Alpacas!

Animals can be part of your alternative adventure too… For a truly quirky experience, you can pair up with an alpaca for a walk through the fells, get pulled along by a huskies on the beaches of the West coast, or climb up to the hilltops on horseback. A quick google of any of these activities will point you in the right direction, but you can expect to be blown away by the breezy buzz of racing through the woodlands as you guide your huskies along bridleways and ancient paths, as you feel the spray of the Irish Sea on your cheeks as your horse gallops through the waves of the Duddon Estuary, or as your instagram account gets a whole lotta love for your cute alpaca adventure pics!

6. White Water Kayaking

This is another great Winter activity. When the conditions are right then white water paddling can be a truly exhilarating experience. It's obviously crucial to have an experienced instructor with you to ensure safety, and you’ll want to be wearing plenty of warm layers, but seeing Cumbria from a river will give you a whole new perspective on the wildlife, weather systems, and water networks of the County. For a great alternative adventure, then get in touch with a friendly activity provider, such as Adam at Joint Adventures, to organise a fantastic day out! If the dare-devil in you needs a day off, then you could try a gentle kayak or canoe on one of the lakes; explore the islands, see the wildlife, take a picnic, and make some great memories. The Yewdale Inn in Coniston is a great starting point for a great paddling adventure!

7. Skiing

If the alps are eluding you this winter then why not try your chances up on Helvellyn? The Lake District Ski Club is run by volunteers, and the club has its own cosy hut and button lift with around 9 runs, the longest being around a mile from top to bottom! Founded in 1936, the club hut is around an hour’s walk from Glenridding mines and membership is very good value. If conditions aren’t looking very promising, then Kendal dry ski slope allows you to ski or board all year round at great rates, and you can hire equipment from them on site too!

8. Climbing

The Lake District is the birthplace of rock climbing, and whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rock-jock, then there is always something new to try on many of the famed lakeland crags. A local guide can make sure you get the most out of the experience by providing the equipment, local knowledge, and tips and tricks to get you up the climbs safely. Outdoor climbing can be quite different to the indoor experience, the views are obviously better outside, there is so much more to think about on real rock, and the challenges can be more daunting, but you can still get some incredible climbing in on a rainy day in Cumbria at the climbing walls at Kendal, Ambleside, Keswick, Ulverston, Penrith, or Carlisle! For the full traditional climbing weekend experience, then you need to stay at the infamous ‘Old DG’ in Great Langdale - a place steeped in climbing history, based at the foot of some of the most renowned rock faces in the UK.

9. Ghyll Scrambling

For a fantastic adventure to share with friends that will certainly give you a warm glow of achievement, and often some hilarious memories, book an afternoon out ghyll scrambling in the crisp fresh water rivers of Cumbria. Due to the high levels of rainfall we receive across the county, you will never be far away from a great patch of river up which to walk, climb, swim, jump, and explore! Again, this is definitely an activity to sign up to with an instructor as you’ll all need helmets, life jackets, wetsuits, and a good knowledge of the river’s cliffs, pools, gorges, and bed structure to ensure safe passage upstream. Well worth the money, and sure to get your heart racing, ghyll scrambling is a great alternative adventure!

Credit: www.pathtoadventure.co.uk

10. Giant SUP Boarding

This activity is perhaps not so adrenaline pumping as some of the others listed here, but it is certainly a fun and unforgettable way to see the Lakes. You and your group can all clamber aboard a giant stand up paddle board (or SUP board) on Lake Windermere and cruise your way around the islands, beaches, and open stretches, all with the inevitable threat of being pushed in never far from the front of your mind! Windermere Canoe and Kayak near Bowness have all the kit you need, and will give you a few words of wisdom before you set off, meaning that you can hone your SUP skills in between all the capsizing, exploring, and laughing-until-you-fall-in that will no doubt make up most of your adventure!