E

ver looked at a waterfall and rather than reaching for the camera, thought ‘I’d like to climb down that’? If so, you’re about to discover your new favourite sport – canyoning.

Adrenalin junkies have been getting their rocks off with canyoning for years and now you have the chance to get in on the action. The idea is to descend stone gorges carved out over thousands of years, using a variety of techniques including abseiling and climbing.

There can be fast flowing chutes of water to contend with, making the experience even more exhilarating. Some canyons require you to get really wet and wild, sliding down rapids as you follow the path of a waterfall before jumping into a pool below.

As you might expect given Cumbria’s standing as the UK’s adventure capital, there are plenty of tour operators servicing canyoning routes around Keswick, Windermere and Coniston.

And the beauty of canyoning is that your guide can make it as tame or extreme as you like without losing that feeling of liberation as you scramble, wade, and abseil your way through crystal clear waters.

With a landscape as impressive and diverse as the Lake District waiting for you, it’s time to take the plunge.