Ghyll scrambling is climbing your way up a Lake District mountain stream: wading through pools, climbing small waterfalls, and sliding down natural rock chutes as you follow the water through a narrow, steep-sided ravine. It’s one of the most accessible ways to get out into outdoor adventure country, and in this guide we cover what’s involved, how it compares to canyoning, and what to expect at our two venues.
Activities like Rock climbing and abseiling as well as the obvious mountain walking. Unlike some places, you don’t need to always walk for hours to get to the best beauty spots as they can be very accessible for people.
Other than the mountains and Lake District Outdoor activities the Lakes are also known for their rain. That’s exactly what makes ghyll scrambling possible: rain falls on the hills and follows a course down the side of the mountains, through the valleys, and into the lakes you see today.
In the Lake District, we call the steep-sided ravines those streams cut through “ghylls” (also spelled “gill”). The word is Old Norse in origin, and most precisely describes the narrow valley or ravine itself rather than just the stream running through it – though locally it’s often used both ways. Either way, these ghylls are some of the best adventure terrain in the Lake District.
Generally speaking, there are two types of this kind of adventure that you could have.
- Ghyll scrambling or sometimes known as Gorge walking – which involves going up stream. Climbing up waterfalls and jumping into pools of water.
- Canyoning – which is the opposite and involves going downstream often abseiling into the canyon as well as sliding and jumping into pools of water.
It is not uncommon to mix the two up and be doing a little of both in a session. If you’re wondering how this compares to general scrambling on rock and fell, our guide to scrambles in the Lake District explains the difference.
Because of this the great thing about Ghyll scrambling is that it can be mixed up and tailored for any age group or ability. Above all, this is a popular outdoor activity in the Lake District and rightly so, because it is super fun and a real Lake District adventure.
Lake District Adventuring offers two venues. Let’s have a look at the difference and what each has to offer.
STICKLE BARN - GHYLL SCRAMBLING
The location-
Stickle barn Ghyll scramble is located in the South of the Lake District National Park. The stream runs down the side of the Langdale Pikes. The water comes from Stickle Tarn at the top of the ghyll. This tarn (mountain lake) sits in the hanging valley at the base of the popular climbing crag called Pavey Arc.
The start point of the ghyll scrambling lake district is accessed via a massive 1-minute walk from the Sticklebarn Pub Car Park (National Trust Car Park).
What’s involved –
Sticklebarn Ghyll scramble is a great venue to come and visit. Along the way up the ghyll you will come across a variety of challenges including 2 water fall climbs and a small jump. Although it is steep at times, as you’re climbing up the rocks you’ll hardly realise.
However, all of the obstacles and challenges you will face are avoidable and you do not have to do anything you do not want to.
Sticklebarn Ghyll is a great option if it has been raining a lot and the other ghylls are out. Meaning that we can’t use them because of high water. It’s at this point that this often overlooked ghyll can turn into one of the most action-packed venues in the Lake District.
WATCH OUR VIDEO ALL ABOUT LAKE DISTRICT ADVENTURE.
Who would this ghyll scrambling be suitable for?
In a nut shell anyone! If it is your first time doing it and you just want a flavour of what it’s about or you have young family. Lake District Adventuring generally offers this to anyone who has children between the ages of 7–11.
You do not need to be a swimmer or have a great level of fitness to be able to do this ghyll scramble.
CHURCH BECK CANYONING
The location-
Church Beck Canyon is located in the South of the Lake District National Park. It runs from the foot of a local mountain called “The Old Man of Coniston”.
The start point of the canyon is accessed via a 15-20 minute moderately steep walk from the meeting place in the car park on Old Furness Road located at the top of the town of Coniston.
*** It’s worth mentioning that there are no changing facilities on this venue and changing happens using a pull over towel.
What’s involved –
Unlike Sticklebarn this is very much a canyon experience in the Lake District. There is a range of big jumps where you will not touch the bottom, slides and 3 waterfalls to abseil. You’ll need to do to be able to do these to complete this canyon.
In other words this is very much a wet session from the get go and full of adventure from the start.
The nature of this ghyll means that it can have high water very quickly and become a dangerous place to be. Because of that we watch the water levels and the amount it has rained to be sure that it’s safe to go into.
Unlike Sticklebarn you do have to do some of the challenges along the way and the options to get out are limited. That said you don’t have to do them all, however sometimes the other option is not always the easiest option.
Who would this ghyll scrambling be suitable for?
Our Lake District Canyon is fine for any first timers or people with children 12 years old or over.
You do however need to have some water confidence but being a strong swimmer is not essential.
A word about kit and equipment.
All of our Lake District outdoor adventure activities come with modern, up to date and well serviced equipment.
All of our gear is regularly checked to meet the high standards we have set out for ourselves.
Unlike some companies, we will not cut corners on kit or compromise on safety.
For the ghyll scrambling session you will receive the following:
- Full body fitted wetsuit – 3mm thick
- Fitted Cag to go over your wetsuit which helps to keep heat in.
- Harness with lanyard attached.
- Helmet – Which comes with Go Pro mount if you want to bring one.
- Buoyancy aid – fitted and checked.
The one thing we don’t provide is footwear – bring a pair of old trainers or shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Walking boots, sandals and swim shoes aren’t suitable.
Lake District Adventuring is ranked #2 on Trip Advisor for outdoor activities in the Windermere area as well as taking 100s of people out into the ghylls over the last 3 years since we have been operating.
If you’d rather leave the planning to us, our Lake District Mountain Guides can help you book the right session and get kitted out properly.
Ghyll Scrambling FAQs
Ghyll scrambling is climbing your way up a Lake District mountain stream, following the water through a narrow, steep-sided ravine (a “ghyll”). You’ll wade through pools, climb small waterfalls, and slide down natural rock chutes as you go.
Yes, when it’s run by a qualified provider. All of our kit is modern and regularly safety-checked, and we keep a close eye on rainfall and water levels – some ghylls get avoided altogether when they’re running too high. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer, and sessions can be tailored to the group’s age and ability.
Traditionally, ghyll scrambling means heading upstream, climbing waterfalls and scrambling over rocks without ropes, while canyoning goes downstream, often using abseiling to get down waterfalls. In practice the two overlap, and most sessions include a bit of both.
Bring your own trainers or old shoes you don’t mind getting soaked. Walking boots, sandals and swim shoes aren’t suitable, and we don’t provide footwear, so it’s worth sorting out before you arrive.
