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Honister Ghyll Scrambling

Ghyll Scrambling near Keswick, Northern Lake District

Although Stonycroft Ghyll, near Keswick, was the original Victorian scrambling Ghyll in the Lake District, Honister Ghyll has been used by scrambling groups for at least 25 years - and is brilliant in its own right. It is one of our most popular activities for families with younger children (5-10 years).

Activity Summary

5 Years+

3 Hours

From £40pp

What is it?


'Ghyll' is just a Cumbrian word for mountain stream...

Impossible to describe and impossible to forget, Ghyll Scrambling (aka gorge walking) is THE most popular half or full day activity here in the Lake District, and at Honister involves scrambling up a Lake District ghyll under the watchful eye of your highly experienced guide.

Although it changes every trip due to the water levels, every ascent will include mini rock climbs, squeezes through rock and tree holes, a jumps into plunge pools, the 'tunnel of Doom' (optional!) and various other challenges as we ascend the route. Towards the end, we will hope to tackle a beautiful 3 level waterfall, and the deep pools waiting above it...

Whilst you're ghyll scrambling, your instructor will be with you every step along the way ensuring your safety and maximising your enjoyment of a truly unique Lake District experience! Honister Ghyll is one of the best family activity venues full stop, and is especially suited to groups with younger members (5 - 10 years old is perfect for Honister). Gorge walking is a perfect wet weather adventure, and lets face it - it does rain ALOT in the Lake District!

Is it safe?

We provide all our clients with high quality kit, a well fitting wetsuit, neoprene socks, as well as spray jackets, buoyancy aids if required and helmets. This means you can enjoy this amazing activity safe in the knowledge that you are wearing the best gear possible, and ensures that we keep you warm in the waterfalls of the mountain river! Despite the ever present rocks, the closeness of supervision and the experience of our instructors means that anything more than a bruise is highly unlikely.

Hire a GoPro! Although we have always provided free photos of our activities 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. Please book this extra service early, it really is a great way to remember your group and one of the Lake Districts finest ghyll scrambling activities.

Typical Itinerary


9.30am

Meet at the bottom of the Honister Pass, 20min drive from Keswick.


9.45am

Kit up with wetsuits, waterproofs and helmets before a short walk to the start of the mountain stream.


10.00am

Enter the ghyll and scramble, climb and jump our way up the ghyll.


12.00am

Complete the ghyll scramble, dry out and warm up!


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Looking for Something Similar?

The Lake District is THE home of ghyll scrambling, and we can offer our groups half day and full day ghyll scrambling sessions, from the mighty jumps in Esk Gorge (full day), the technical Fisher Place Ghyll (Full Day) , to a shorter 1/2 day trip in Stoneycroft Ghyll or Church Beck in the South Lakes. They are all great fun trips out for friends, families, stags, hen parties and anyone who has a swimming costume and doesn't mind getting wet! Get in touch, and see why Lake District Ghyll Scrambling is our most popular activity!