a landscape that leaves you on a high
Come to the Lake District and you can't help but want to be part of the landscape. Walk, cycle, sail through it. Climb it. Ride, fly, cruise across it. The magnificent diversity of terrain offers many and varied activities, from the gentle to the adrenaline-fuelled. Whether you gain satisfaction from a physical challenge conquered or a stroll with someone you love through beautiful scenery, this landscape of ours will leave you on a high.the lakes are just the beginning
Water is what the area is best known for, but there's more of it than you might think and more to do on or in it than you could imagine. As well as the lakes, meres and waters, there are hill tarns, rivers, waterfalls and a wonderful coastline.
Derwentwater is great for canoeing and Coniston is ideal for windsurfing, with clear wind from the south. Haverigg is a popular location for wakeboarding; a mix of snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding. You can go kayaking on calm lakes or coastal surf. And if you like your water sports with added adventure, try kitesurfing; a new sport where you're strapped to a board and use a kite to propel yourself.
If you are looking for a relaxing day out by the waterside, there are many ways to enjoy the lakes, rivers and coast without even getting your feet wet.
Explore the coastal nature reserves on Walney Island.
Follow the Kirkby Stephen poetry path along the River Eden.
Tuck into fish and chips at Whitehaven Marina.
Hire a wooden rowing boat on Derwentwater and venture to St Herbert's Island.
Enjoy a cruise on Windermere, Coniston, Derwentwater or Ullswater.
Up the adrenalin
Thrillseekers don't have to look far to find their kicks; there's excitement waiting around every corner.
Go Ape!
Climb the trees, slide across high wires, crawl through tunnels, cross rope bridges, walk the planks and zip down to the ground! Go Ape!, in the Grizedale Forest, is an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip slides up to 40 feet up in the trees! Opening in March 2008, the new Go Ape Whinlatter, go on give it a try!!
Aquaseiling
Those in search of a serious rush to the head should try aquaseiling - abseiling down a fast-flowing waterfall. Aquaseiling is a sheer adrenalin activity in awesome surroundings and can form part of a longer scrambling journey.
Via Ferrata
At the Honister Slate Mine, high up in the Borrowdale Valley, the new Via Ferrata lets you experience the mountains in a novel way. Secured to a fixed cable, you follow a Victorian miner's route along the craggy cliff-face of Fleetwith Pike using steel ladders and solid bridges to reach the 2126ft summit, where you can gaze at uninterrupted views.
Ghyll scrambling
Another physically challenging organised activity is ghyll scrambling. Wearing protective clothing, you slide, jump, scramble and slither your way along the course of a stream, tackling all the obstacles you come across. Expect to get wet!
