Did you love climbing trees when you were a kid? What if you had the chance to relive the thrills of ascending to the forest canopy and unleashing the wild animal within? In North Yorkshire you can, and you’ll find far more than going up a tree just to come back down, but specially designed high ropes courses that weave a path from tree to tree, letting you discover England’s biggest county with a monkey’s eye view.

The high ropes trails in North Yorkshire combine bridges, balance beams, zip lines, jumps and climbs to convert a walk in the woods to an exhilarating adventure above the forest floor. Bring your friends, family, or workmates, clip onto the safety line and test your nerves as you traverse the woodland suspended above the ground. North Yorkshire has many high ropes locations to choose from, so there’s something for everyone and every budget.

Where are the best high ropes courses in North Yorkshire?

• York: just outside the historic city of York you’ll find family fun park The Web, which hosts 2 fantastic high ropes courses. The Wired route is made up of 22 stages, each a new challenge, while Summit tests your nerve as you climb high above the ground, using the same rope safety techniques as Wired.

• Bedale: the Camp Hill Estate near Kirklington offers luxury glamping for a comfortable outdoor retreat and a full programme of outdoor activities. Don’t miss the high ropes course - this will take you on a tree-top adventure through the tranquil woods of this hidden gem in the North Yorkshire countryside. And, with no age restrictions, it’s fun for all the family - just make sure that everyone in your party is at least 110cm tall.

• Gargrave: on the banks of the river Aire, Gargrave is a pretty village with a lot to offer. Its charming woodlands are the perfect place to let out your inner monkey, climbing and jumping from tree to tree on a high ropes course. For a more mindful experience, Gargrave’s course is designed with corporate team building events in mind. If you want to build trust and relationships in your workplace, give your colleagues a challenge that they won’t forget. The course is accessible to people of a wide range of ability, and there are opportunities to descend to solid ground throughout the route.

• Harrogate: Ripley Castle sits to the North of Harrogate, a 14th century castle in beautiful grounds. Get eye-to-eye with the towers and battlements on the high ropes course! This route through the forest culminates in a 35ft Leap of Faith - are you daring enough to throw yourself into the void? The minimum group size for a booking is four people, so bring your friends or family, so long as the kids are over 8 years old.

• Rufforth: 4 miles West of York is a high ropes course that’s bound to give you an adrenaline rush. With over 20 activities in the course there’s a challenge for all, no matter your ability. After completing the suspended obstacle course, celebrate by zooming down the zip lines at high speed.

• Yorkshire Dales: Stean, in the middle of the wild Yorkshire Dales National Park, is an outdoor activities paradise. The setting is a steep-sided limestone gorge, sculpted by running water below, and is perfect for everything from canoeing to climbing. The high ropes course gives you a unique perspective on the rocky formations, while challenging your balance and nerve. Fasten yourself to your companions - and the safety line - and test your mettle!

• Richmond: The adventure activities centre in Richmond might look familiar to fans of classic game show the Krypton Factor, and that’s because it is home to the obstacle course featured in the show. So you know that you’re in for a challenge here. You can take on the high ropes course, and a climbing and abseiling tower as well. The expert instructors will also be on hand to teach you the basics of rope work, allowing you to transition between high rope activities with more agility.

• Dalby: the name Go Ape has become synonymous with tree-top adventure, and you can experience this simian stimulation in the North Riding Forest Park near Dalby. The rope trail takes between 2 and 3 hours, and includes the most imaginative and hair-raising stunts - including 50m high ziplines. There's also the possibility to Go Ape at sunset, for an outdoor adventure that you’ll never forget.

Requirements to do this activity

We’re all born with a love for climbing trees and high ropes courses in North Yorkshire cater to this childhood desire to reach new heights. Children as young as 7 or 8 will be able to take part in most places, while some locations require a minimum height rather than a minimum age, around 110cm. But that’s not to say that a high ropes course is only for youngsters, on the contrary, there are some stunts that are beyond the size and strength of children and are reserved for the most daring teens and adults. Many outdoor centres are working to make their activities more accessible to people with disabilities or special requirements. Get in touch with experience providers to find out more.

If you’re responsible for the team working, trust and problem solving abilities of a group of coworkers, why not organise a day on the ropes in North Yorkshire to boost performance? The challenges you’ll face on a high ropes course are very different to those found in the office, but they're sure to encourage cooperation among the team members, and might result in some new friendships too.

How long does an experience last?

The shortest options available in North Yorkshire are just 20 minutes. These, along with half hour options, will give you a taste of the experience and are perfect for children, or those with fears of heights.

For a more complete experience, you’ll find plenty of courses that take 1, 2 or three hours to complete. As you’ll spend the entirety of the adventure in a harness and far from bathrooms, water bottles, or the picnic you’ve packed in your bag, we don’t recommend spending much longer in the canopy!

What do you need to bring the day of the activity?

We recommend a hearty breakfast or lunch before taking a high ropes challenge as you might be up in the canopy for several hours. Closed shoes with a good sole are essential to give you grip on wooden platforms, wire and ropes. Other than that, just wear some sporty, comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the season - be prepared for a variety of weather and quick changes in conditions in North Yorkshire - and you’re ready to go.

On site, you’ll be provided with safety equipment - a harness to connect you to the safety line in case you should fall, and a helmet on those courses where it is necessary. You'll have a briefing session with trained instructors before ascending to the treetops, and they will be available to assist you throughout the course.

We’re sure that one of these options is ideal for you, so go ahead and make a booking to live this experience!