Cumbria is England’s land of extremes - in the far Northwest, bordering Scotland it has the highest peaks in the country with Scafell Pike rising just under 1,000 metres above the largest lakes in England. These are found in the Lake District National Park, a wild paradise of rugged terrain and spectacular scenery. But it’s not the only area of natural beauty in the region, the West of the county lies inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The best way to experience these hyperbolic locations is by taking part in an equally exhilarating activity, and that’s why we’ve put together this guide to canyoning in Cumbria.

When you go canyoning, you’re interacting with the landscape in the most primal possible way. The rain that falls on the mountains of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales finds its way to the sea by the path of least resistance, and your job is to follow it. You’ll slide down falls, jump into pools and swim with the current in deep gorges and rocky gorges in the shadow of the peaks. Even the name of this experience is strongly linked to the landscape: you might find yourself traversing a ghyll - a narrow valley - or splashing through a beck - the stream which flows through such a ravine. These words are particular to this part of the country, and so you’ll sometimes see this activity is referred to as ghyll scrambling, whereas elsewhere in the country the term gorge scrambling is used.

Where are the best places to go Canyoning in Cumbria?

In the rugged landscape of this county, there are countless streams, gullies and ravines that are ripe for this activity and we can’t mention all of them here. In fact, some tour providers wouldn’t want us to mention them as they keep their favourite locations a secret until you’re on the excursion! Below you’ll find some of the best and most popular routes which are organised by companies in Cockermouth, Buttermere, Keswick and Penrith in the North, Shap and Ambleside in the centre and Kendal, Grizebeck and Coniston in the South.

• North Lake District: Near the town of Keswick you’ll find one of the first canyons to be identified by thrill seekers. Stoneycroft Ghyll outside Stair boasts waterfalls, natural slides and jumps on a thrilling route which doesn’t include any technical or dangerous sections to put off beginners and families. A more challenging option is the descent of Swarthbeck Ghyll to the lake of Ullswater. You have to abseil down some of the trickier sections, but it’s worth it for the woodland setting and glimpses into the Ullswater valley.

• Central Lake District: The town of Ambleside boasts some of the best opportunities to do this activity in the surrounding valleys. Stickle Ghyll and Longsleddale Canyon are suitable for first timers, as you can choose to bypass more difficult parts. The former ends in a natural swimming pool, and the latter a thrilling zipline. You can probably guess from the names of Devil’s Canyon and Hell’s Gorge that these aren’t for the faint hearted. Even for adults in good shape and with some knowledge of canyoning, the Devil’s Canyon takes a full day to complete, but rewards those who dare to enter it with the biggest drops and zip lines around.

• South Lake District: This sport has a reputation of being intense, which puts a lot of people off trying it. But in the South of the Lake District there are two routes, in Church Beck and Tilberthwaite Ghyll, both near the town of Coniston, that even 5 year olds can enjoy. In Eskdale, there’s Nether Beck which is a bit tougher, but includes a cave and views of Scafell Pike, and the Esk Gorge, which boasts emerald green waters and 8 metre jumps. There are also some good spots on the Southern edge of the National Park near Backbarrow.

• Yorkshire Dales: there are many good spots for descents in the Dales, but most of them, for example Ingleton Falls, aren’t inside the county. But as luck might have it, one of the best places is! Cautley Spout is the highest altitude waterfall in England and tumbles down a rocky escarpment in forking channels and mid-air drops. This one is reserved for experienced canyoners because you’ll have to abseil the majority of the way down.

How long does one of this adventures last?

- There are several stages to a canyoning adventure. First is meeting the group, which might happen and the provider’s premises or near the canyon. Then comes the equipment, before reaching the starting point of the route, which in some cases can mean walking uphill for up to an hour from the carpark. Only then do you get to experience the best of what Cumbria has to offer, and you’ll want to make the most of it. The shortest excursions, in Church Beck or Stoneycroft Ghyll for example, last around 2 hours in total, but a more common duration is half a day.

- But just as some peaks in the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales take a full day to climb, some canyons take just as long to descend. The Devil’s Canyon and Cautley Spout are among these more intrepid expeditions, taking around 6 to 8 hours to complete. And there’s something else to consider with these challenges: once you’re in the gorge, you can’t get out until you get to the bottom! Apart from bringing your best, you’ll also need to bring something to eat to keep you going! Can we suggest a local cumberland sausage?

- We should mention that the exact duration of any ghyll scrambling or gorge walking expedition will vary according to the groups size and ability, and the season because the conditions of the canyons change with rainfall.

Requirements to do this activity

As we’ve mentioned above, you shouldn’t attempt some canyon descents unless you know how to handle water, rock and rope, and are in good shape. But that doesn’t mean that this sport is only for alphas or seasoned adventurers, there are plenty of canyons in this region that you can enjoy even if it’s your first time. You should be able to swim reasonably well and have a good head for heights, but apart from that all you need is the right attitude and you’ll be fine.

When it comes to families or groups that include young children, this county continues to deliver. Some routes lead you through beautiful gorges without presenting huge challenges or threats, and even 5 year olds can get through them. The tour providers here know the canyons well and they can judge which children and age groups will be capable of completing each route, so just get in touch to talk about the perfect canyon for you sand your group.

What do you need to take the dya of the descent?

If you choose to do this experience, you’re going to get very wet, right from the beginning of the adventure. But don’t worry about being cold for the duration of the trip, because the tour providers have got you covered. They supply wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids. Some of them even have specialist footwear which you can use, but if not, you need to bring a pair of lace up boots or trainers - and another pair of shoes to put on afterwards!

Some tour providers ask that you bring a pair of loose, lightweight shorts to wear over the wetsuit in order to protect it from the jagged rocks of canyons. Other than that, we’ll just remind you to leave your phones, watches and jewellery somewhere safe, alongside a towel, and you’re ready to go!

You won’t find another activity quite like this sport, and this county's landscape has no equal, so this is a truly unique adventure - and it’s just a couple of clicks away!