Home > Outdoor Activities > Via Ferrata High Wire & Abseil

Get ready for some action, this activity is now available to book online as either an ‘Open Session’ with mixed groups or with your own ‘Private Instructor’.

We have made a few changes to all our activities and the way we operate to keep our instructors and guests safe during these times.

Booking last minute ?

If you cannot see any available space on our bookings calendar, please contact us on 01423 755666 We should still be able to fit you in, online bookings close 7 days before due date

Via Ferrata in Yorkshire

via ferrata in yorkshire

Put yourself to the test by trying one of only three challenging via ferrata and high wire climbing activities in the UK. Round off your half-day activity with a free-hanging abseil and rock climbing!

 

 

 

What to Expect

One of only three in the UK and the only Via Ferrata in Yorkshire! Challenge yourself on an aerial network of metal beams, ladders and cables set in the rocks to help you climb the cliffs of the gorge. Set within our site in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, our high wire course of cables, ladders and beams crisscrosses through How Stean’s stunning limestone Gorge – and passes right underneath our glass-floored cafe! Our spectacular abseil takes you right back onto the Via Ferrata. You’ll be swinging above the fast-flowing water of the gorge. Read our detailed guide: Everything You Need to Know About Via Ferrata – origins, what it involves, how you stay safe and more!

Our Via Ferrata is also offered with an abseil into the water and a gorge walk. This is our full How Stean Experience and gets you to see sections of the gorge not even visible from the tourist paths!

CHECK – Are you tall enough? We need you to be able to reach the wires! Our minimum for this activity is 140cm (4’6).

Personal Development

There are several personal development benefits to be gained from abseiling – especially rewarding if you’re trying it as part of a school trip or team building activity:

  • Strengthen communication skills – Listening and being receptive to instructions is extra important at a height!
  • Learn to trust – It takes a lot to trust that you’re harnessed securely while moving across a high rope course. Great for team working skills!
  • Build self-confidence – Moving between ropes at a height and abseiling are an effective way to develop self-belief and confidence to try new and scary things, overcome fears and build resilience.
  • Become reflective – Evaluating your own and others’ experience in order to spot strengths and weaknesses to build on for next time!

 

*This activity is also available as a residential or school day trip activity. Please see our educational package details here.

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Book Via Ferrata High Wire & Abseil

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  • Itinerary
  • Video
  • Gallery
  • FAQs
  • Medical Consent
  • Kit List

Via Ferrata, Abseil and Climb in the Yorkshire Dales

After a briefing, you will put on a climbing safety harness and helmet. You’ll then start your adventure on our Via Ferrata Practice Course where you will learn all the skills required to keep you safe along your journey. You will learn how the ‘buddy’ system enables you to work together with your fellow adventurers.

When you’re ready you will move to the ‘real thing’ – where your skills will be put to the test!

First, you cross the beam over the gushing water below, then traverse the gorge walls using a network of metal cables. Finish off with a number of aerial cables spanning the gorge.

  1. The Postman’s walk: one top cable and one cable to walk on.
  2. The Burma Bridge: two hand cables and one foot cable.
  3. The Tyrolean Traverse: a top cable, with pulley – like a horizonal zipwire.

Once you’ve cracked the via ferrata we can up the challenge with an abseil from the bridge. This takes you back onto the high wire course – which we can now reverse!

If you crack on through all of this really well we can wrap up your session with top rope climbing in our quarry. This is immediately beyond the end of our via ferrata course!

Loved the Via Ferrata today. It was just the right mix of scared and excited
Cadi Lambert

 

Please read our Terms and Conditions Prior to Booking

Via Ferrata FAQ’s

How much does it cost each?
1 Guest = £190

2 Guests = £115pp

3 Guests = £85pp

4 Guests = £70pp

5 – 8 Guests = £60pp

If you cannot see any available space on our bookings calendar, please contact us on 01423 755666. We often have additional instructors onsite and we will do our best to facilitate you

£70 per person on our Open sessions

Our sessions start at 09.30 am and 1.30pm daily. Please arrive approximately 30 mins before your start time.

Please complete electronic medical forms before arrival these are sent with your booking confirmation.

  1. What‘s included?
    • Briefing
    • Practice Session
    • Via Ferrata – high wire course transversing the Gorge
    • Top roped Climbing in our quarry (Time dependant)
    • All Safety Equipment
    • A Friendly, Highly Qualified Via Ferrata Instructor
  2. How fit do I need to be?
    You will need to have a basic fitness level to participate in this session.
  3. Why choose How Stean Gorge?
    You will be safely cared for by our professional experienced instructors who use How Stean Gorge for activities on a daily basis. How Stean Gorge is a spectacular limestone ravine that continues to be carved out by waterflow and is the perfect location for outdoor activities like via ferrata, gorge walking, caving, rock climbing, canyoning and abseiling. It is geographically unique, as it’s one of the only places in the UK where you can comfortably enjoy both rocksports and canoeing – in a single day. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Nidderdale, An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – why choose anywhere else?
  4. Can I take the whole family?
    Of course! Anybody aged 7 or over can take part, with a lower height limit of 1m 40cm. Those who do not take part can watch from the bridge, while away the time exploring the gorge and caves tourist attraction or enjoying refreshments in our onsite café.
  5. What is the minimum number of people I can book?
    All groups and individuals are welcome to tackle the Via Ferrata and Climbing course. No minimum number to book, just make sure you book in advance. It’s great fun for stag does, hen parties and groups of friends and family.
  6. Where do we meet?
    At How Stean Gorge – you’ll meet the instructors in the reception area. HG3 5SY

Please complete you consent form before arrival by clicking the ‘View Required Documents’ tab on your booking invoice, this will allow you to complete the forms online.

Completing before hand will mean we can get straight out on activities without delay.

If you are organising a group booking you are able to send a consent form directly to all participants via email or by copying your unique link by clicking the ‘share’ tab. The group organiser can share this link on any social media platform Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, Viber etc

For a young person under the age of 18 this this need to be completed by the parent or guardian.

What do I need to bring?

We recommend you wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and trainers. You will be brushing the gorge walls during the activity so get ready to get dirty. Please bring along a waterproof coat and trousers just in case of rain. You can use our hot showers and changing area afterwards so don’t forget a towel. We supply all safety equipment.

A definite tick off my bucket list! He (the instructor) was great fun and a credit to the company. After completing the incredible Via Ferrata, we immediately went into the abseil from the bridge followed by the gorge walk. Both were fantastic experiences I'll never forget. I cannot recommend How Stean enough. Lea Hudson

Make a booking

Book Via Ferrata High Wire & Abseil

Book Now Private Instructor Book Now Open Sessions Mixed Groups

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