Now you may not know what Gyhll scrambling is at this point but we can promise you its a good laugh. And if you do know what it is then you’ll know that the lake district is the perfect place to do it.
What is Ghyll scrambling?
Ghyll scrambling in basic terms is climbing up/down waterfalls and small rivers. That doesn’t sound like great fun does it? Well it is. It can also be called Gorge scrambling/walking, all will entail the same thing. It’s done on the side of a steep climb or a mountain, this means that the stream that you’ll be scrambling up is often steep and has water rushing down it causing waterfalls and ravines.
And let’s be honest, what’s Ghyll scrambling without a good old leap off a waterfall? Sure, you might earn a few raised eyebrows from hikers as you splash around in a freezing plunge pool, but hey, you’ll be having the time of your life while they’re just contemplating their snack breaks!
Who we booked with
We signed up with Adventure North West, a charming little company that plays around in the Lake District like it’s their very own playground. They don’t just do Ghyll scrambling—oh no, my friend, they’ve got a whole buffet of outdoor shenanigans on the menu! From canyoning to canoeing, kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding (that’s SUP for the cool kids), raft building, archery (Robin Hood would be proud), bushcraft (not just for bears), guided walks (if you can keep up), abseiling, and rock climbing—it’s like they threw a dart at a list of outdoor activities and said, “Let’s do all that!”
Our guide Tim was like the Yoda of the Lake District, with years of experience and a Jedi knack for finding the best spots for jumps and steep scrambles. Watching him, you’d think he had a secret map to all the fun places, and he definitely made sure we didn’t just take the boring path. Adventure is in the air, folks!
Where we scrambled
So Adventure North West offers a smorgasbord of options for where to unleash your inner mountain goat and go Ghyll scrambling—because why not have a little chaos in nature? We opted for Stickle Ghyll, which is basically a glorified waterslide that starts at Stickle Tarn in Ambleside, Lake District—definitely not just an overpriced puddle!
It’s conveniently located a mere 20 minutes from the Ambleside centre, making it super easy to wander over while pretending you know how to read a map. The scenery? Absolutely jaw-dropping! You can stare back into the valley and ponder the questionable life choices that led to you being soaking wet. Stickle Ghyll has it all: colossal waterfalls that really make you rethink your decision-making skills, plunge pools that double as mini swimming holes of regret, and cascades so steep and slippery.
The scramble itself
After donning our stylish wet suits and helmets – a fashion statement that would make any catwalk pale in comparison – we kicked things off at the bottom of the Ghyll in a deep pool. We had to bravely acclimatise to the Antarctic-level chill of the water we’d be flailing around in for the next three hours. A quick sit down and a friendly chinwag, and voilà, we were numb enough not to care about the baltic temperatures.
Off we waddled, following Tim up the Ghyll, our fearless leader guiding us over vertical waterfalls, through teeny gaps in the rocks, and right off the edges into plunge pools that looked suspiciously like they were designed for mermaids. With ropes and harnesses that made us feel like adventurous superheroes, we tackled some epic waterfalls that were about as climbable as a brick wall. From start to finish, we shared a belly laugh or twenty and soaked up some local lore about the area and our charming guide, Tim. It was a riot – a true laugh a minute that would keep your inner child giggling long after the soggy adventure was over!
Tight Travellers 