Book NowLogin

from just £70* per person

Free entrance to THE GORGE attraction with all half day activities.  Group discounts available*

Gorge Walking / Ghyll Scrambling

A thrilling gorge walking experience in Yorkshire

Experience gorge walking at How Stean Gorge, a hands-on outdoor adventure that puts you right into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. This water-based activity is all about movement, teamwork, and working your way upstream through one of the region’s most impressive natural gorges.

Gorge Walking at How Stean Gorge

Led by our experienced instructors, gorge walking at How Stean Gorge starts with a 45ft abseil directly into the gorge from the bridge above, setting the tone for what’s to come.

From there, you’ll make your way against the flow of water, navigating rock formations and natural features as you move through the gorge. It’s an active, engaging experience that suits both first-timers and those who have done it before.

You can join an open session with a mixed group or book a private instructor for your own group. Either way, expect a proper challenge and plenty of laughs along the way. 

Our Gorge Walking Experience

Gorge walking in Yorkshire with How Stean Gorge is a physical and rewarding adventure. After abseiling into the gorge, you’ll work your way upstream through flowing water, scrambling over boulders, sliding down waterspouts, sitting beneath waterfalls, and jumping into deep plunge pools.

Throughout the session, you’ll be guided by our expert instructors, who know the gorge inside out and keep a close eye on conditions. They help you choose the safest and most enjoyable route, making sure the challenge stays fun and manageable for everyone in the group. 

 

Who can go gorge walking?

We class gorge walking and ghyll scrambling as a beginner activity, suitable for ages 7 and up. No previous experience is needed, but all participants should have a basic level of fitness and confidence in the water.

If you have done gorge walking before and are keen for a tougher challenge, sessions can be tailored to suit more confident groups.

Gorge walking in Yorkshire is very popular with adventure stag and hen dos, as well as corporate days out, team-building trips and couples fancying some adventure. It is also available as a residential or school day trip activity – please see our educational packages for more details.

Anyone who prefers not to take part can relax in our on-site cafe, enjoy a walk around the gorge, or watch the action from our glass-floored events room.

View all Activites
Award Winning Activities

Why Choose How Stean Gorge?

Our stunning gorge provides a unique and exhilarating experience that you won’t find anywhere else. With a team of experienced and certified guides, we keep you safe while ensuring you have the time of your life navigating through the rugged rocks, plunging into the river, and exploring the natural wonders that the gorge has to offer. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a nature enthusiast, our gorge walking experiences cater to all levels of adventure seekers. Our commitment to environmental sustainability means that we strive to preserve this incredible natural habitat for generations to come. Here at How Stean Gorge we promise you are in for an unforgettable and action-packed day of gorge walking in Yorkshire!

Highly-qualified instructors

You will be safely cared for by our professional, experienced instructors who conduct gorge walking and ghyll scrambling experiences daily and are very familiar with the gorge itself.

Fantastic amenities and facilities

No getting changed on the side of a road or car park or walking miles to the venue for you! We have a well-stocked equipment store with changing rooms, plenty of hot showers with underfloor heating and a café onsite.

Incredible location

How Stean Gorge is a spectacular limestone ravine carved out over thousands of years by water flow and is the perfect location for outdoor activities like gorge walking. The only way to follow the gorge is to proceed through the water; even during dry spells, the only way through is to swim.

Geographically Unique

It is geographically unique, as it’s one of the only places in the UK where you can comfortably enjoy both rock sports and canoeing in a single day. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Nidderdale and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – why would you want to go anywhere else?

Great for Personal Development

We strongly believe there are several personal development benefits to be gained from gorge walking in Yorkshire, and it’s especially rewarding if you’re trying it as part of a school trip or team-building activity:

  • Improve your communication skills – listening and being receptive to instructions are very important when negotiating busy rivers and slippery slopes!
  • Rely on others – it takes an element of trust to edge along a narrow bank above gushing streams, but you can rest assured our instructors know what is and isn’t safe for you to do.
  • Build your confidence – gorge walking and abseiling are effective ways to develop self-belief and confidence to try new and scary things, overcome fears and build resilience.
  • Evaluate and learn – reflect on your own and others’ experiences to spot strengths and weaknesses that you can build on next time!

Our gorge walking in Yorkshire experience includes everything you need to have an amazing trip – all you need to bring is suitable clothing!

  • 3 hour gorge walking experience
  • Introduction and guidance by a friendly, highly-qualified gorge walking instructor
  • All safety equipment (including a wet suit)
  • Abseil descent from a bridge over the gorge
  • Gorge walking
  • Exploring some local caves
  • Amazing memories!

Swimming costume/underwear

To wear under the wetsuit

Sturdy Footwear

These may get a little wet

Towel

For a hot shower afterwards

Medication

Any medication you need for the day

What to expect when Gorge Walking in Yorkshire

When gorge walking in Yorkshire with How Stean Gorge, we’ll provide you with the best purpose-made wetsuits on the market. You will also receive neoprene socks and gloves if you need them, particularly in the colder months.

We enter the gorge by abseiling 45ft from a bridge over the gorge. At the bottom, your guide will show you the way and you can start jumping, sliding, swimming and climbing your way up and down the gorge.

Those who want to watch can see the abseiling part of the gorge from our spacious indoor viewing area, then wait in the How Stean Café or follow along from some of the footpaths.

Gorge Walking as part of a Full Day Package

If you want a full day of activities, you have two exciting options. Click on the links for more details. You can of course, book into an open session and simply come along and try your hand at gorge walking without any other activity!

Looking for your next adventure?

If you’ve been gorge walking in Yorkshire with us before and are ready for a new challenge, try your hand at canyoning, where you start at the top of the chosen venue and descend using abseiling and ropework techniques.

Booking Last Minute?

If you can’t see any available space on our bookings calendar, please contact us on 01423 755666. Online bookings close seven days before the date of the activity, but we can often fit bookings in after that time if we have additional instructors onsite.

Please take a look at our terms and conditions before placing any booking, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team, who will be happy to help you out.

Frequently Asked Questions
Also Available on Site
Accommodation
Parking
Food & Drink
Gift Shop

Image Gallery

Hands-on outdoor adventures, shared together.

Book your Spot Today

Gorge walking at How Stean Gorge is one of the most exciting ways to experience the Yorkshire Dales. Scrambling over rocks, wading through flowing water, and working together as a group, it’s a proper outdoor adventure that’s challenging, fun, and incredibly rewarding.

Whether you’re planning a group activity, a school visit, or a memorable day out in North Yorkshire, gorge walking at How Stean Gorge offers something genuinely different.

Get in touch today to book your gorge walking experience in Yorkshire and start planning your next outdoor adventure.

Related Activities

Abseiling

Learn More

Canoeing

Learn More

Canyoning

Learn More

Cave camping

Learn More

Howstean Experience

Learn More

Mountain Biking

Learn More

Orienteering

Learn More

Rock Climbing

Learn More

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Learn More

The Big 5

Learn More

Via Ferrata

Learn More