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Lake District Gorge Walking

Esk Gorge

Gorge Walking is a more 'extreme' version of our popular ghyll scrambling experience often known as Canyoning or gorge scrambling! Great fun, very wet, and personally my favourite day in the Lake District for adventure groups!

We take our groups to Esk Gorge, in one of the more remote areas of the Lake District. The time it takes to drive there from Keswick or Ambleside and walk into the gorge is certainly worth it, as the full day experience is totally unique, and incredible fun - of all of our activities, this is the one the instructors want to work on 🙂 For those who want to get wet, Gorge walking can only be described as a high adrenaline experience day, one which won't be forgotten in a hurry - if your after big jumps into water, THIS is the trip for you!

What if water levels are high / low?

The Gorge is extremely changeable, and each trip will vary depending on the water levels - which do go up and down quite a lot in the Lake District! No matter what the water levels are, every trip will involve rock scrambling, big waterfalls, and bigger jumps. Whilst you are gorge walking, our extremely experienced instructors will be with you in the water, showing you the best way to take up and down the gorge, and where to aim when your jumping into the pools - then it's up to you to hurl yourself into thin air!

Gorge scrambling is a terrific activity for those who really want to try something different.

Activity Summary

16 Years+

Full Day

From £70pp

What is it?


The Esk Gorge is The Lake District's best Ghyll Scrambling/Gorge Walking experience!

After handing out the safety equipment at the car park, everyone will pack and carry all of their kit into the start - although this is about 50 minutes of walking on relatively flat terrain, the beautiful Lake District mountain location and sense of adventure more than compensate for the leg work!

Once at the gorge, its a 'little' 8 foot jump into the water, and we're off! You will be closely supervised by our extremely experienced instructors to ensure your safety, but you will be rock climbing, scrambling, diving and swimming through a natural gorge with some really physical and challenging moments as you climb up and under the waterfalls. We will cover swimming into and out of waterfalls, how to read the water, and how to conserve your energy when fighting the current, so that you have the strength left for the climbing!

Although no two trips are the same, as the water levels change, with around 12 different jumps to choose from, countless scrambles and a huge selection of beautiful pools, we guarantee you a blast of a day out!

Undoubtedly the highlight for many people are the jumps the highest of which is a 30 foot leap into a beautiful deep pool. As you progress along the gorge scramble, the jumps slowly get higher, but the instructors will coach you on good landing technique, and ensure you safety.

We provide all our clients with high quality wetsuits, gloves, socks and hats as well as spray jackets, helmets and buoyancy aids, so no matter what the weather, you will be as warm as possible in the water.

Although we always provide free photos of your day as standard, we now offer the option of hiring our GoPro equipped helmet for only £15. We will then send you a DVD of the footage for you to enjoy at your leisure - it really is a great way of remembering this unique Lake District experience, watching your friends get an unexpected dunking in one of the deep pools!

Typical Itinerary


10.00am

Meet up in Eskdale, issue kit.


10.15am

Start the walk into the gorge.


10.45am

Quick briefing, and ‘warmup’ jump into a waterfall.


11.00am

Reach the real start, snack, jump in!


3.00pm

Reach the end of the gorge.


3.15pm

Last jumps, get changed.


4.15pm

Return to the cars, head back home.


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We have a selection of full and half day ghyll scrambles, covering all ages from 6+