Four teenagers walking side-by-side on a sunny day in the rural landscape

Teens and young explorers

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6 outdoor adventures in the Lake District Park for teens and young explorers

Ready to take adventure to the next level? The Lake District is the ultimate playground for teens and young explorers, packed with adrenaline-fuelled activities and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re paddling across shimmering lakes, soaring through treetop obstacle courses, or tackling rugged mountain trails, there’s an adventure waiting for you.

From high-speed zip wires to wild ghyll scrambling, explore the best ways to get your heart racing in one of the UK’s most stunning national parks. Let’s go!

two young adults on green canoe using red oars to paddle on blue lake, sunny day

1. Get on the water

Take the adventure to the lakes! Drive a motorboat, paddle a kayak, or cruise across stunning waters. Hire canoes, paddleboards, and more on Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater, and Derwentwater. Grab your gear, hit the waves, and make a splash! Let’s go!

Do you and your friends know the swim safe code? Follow some simple guidelines to help keep you and those around you safe.

On the water

Two young men in a waterfall pool with helmets on with big grins

2. Ghyll Scrambling and Canyoning

Traverse along rock faces, hop across boulders, climb up waterfalls, slide down natural rock chutes and plunge into deep pools of water.

Image credit: gyllscrambling.co.uk

Visit the Ghyll Scrambling website

Borrowdale forest, dense green conifer trees

3. Forest Segway with Go Ape

Explore off-road forest trails on an all-terrain segway. Segway sessions are available at Whinlatter forest near Keswick, and Grizedale forest near Windermere. You can also do Tree top challenges and zip wires for a full adventure day out.

Visit Go Ape

two adult males in outdoor gear and helmets traversing Honister slate mine wall attached to ropes

4. Via Ferrata climbing at Honister

Secured by a cable as you climb up the steep miners track on a mountain side, via ferrata is a challenging climbing experience with amazing views over the Lake District’s Honister valley. Classic and Xtreme routes available, for ages 10 and over.

Head to the Honister website

Night image of the Milkyway galaxy over black shadowed fells

5. Stay up late for star gazing

The Lake District has remote places with some of the darkest skies in the country, perfect for star gazing. Discover some of our dark sky places, and tips to make the most of your night under the stars.

Find dark sky locations

Adult female gladly hanging from safety rope at Zip World Windermere, amongst green trees

6. Zip World Windermere

Take on exciting treetop adventures, from zip lines under the canopy, to bouncy nets suspended high in the trees, alongside the iconic Windermere at Zip World.

Zip World Windermere website

We would love to see your trip out in the Lake District, share your photo and tag us @lakedistrictnpa on Instagram.