The Best UK Zip Wires

Last updated: 24/10/2023

Zip lines have been used as a mode of transport for over 2000 years but more recently they’ve been used for entertainment! There are long zip wires, fast zips, ones you land yourself and ones that automatically brake for you.

If you're on the hunt for an exhilarating adventure that combines adrenaline-pumping excitement with breathtaking views, Go Ape is the perfect day out. 

From rugged highland scenes at Go Ape Aberfoyle to serene vistas across Dartmoor, at Go Ape Haldon, find out which location to add to your bucket list in this insider's guide to our best UK zip wires.  Whether you're a seasoned zip line veteran or a curious first-timer, our locations cater to all levels of adventurer.

 

Located in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, less than an hour from Glasgow, Go Ape Aberfoyle sits in the top spot because, before you even reach the first site of Treetop Challenge, you get to fly through the valley on a 300m+ dual zip wire over a waterfall. That's right, the 'dual' means that you'll be riding side-by-side with your buddy.

Throughout your adventure you'll take on 5 increasingly difficult sites as well as, of course, 5 awesome zips. Spoiler: the final dual zip is over 400m and will have you soaring high above the valley.

Don't just take our word for it; check out the video to see the increduble views you'll experience!

 

Go Ape's Zip Trekking Experience invites you to take flight like never before. Experience the stunning beauty of The Lakes in a whole new way, whilst taking on 3km’s of dual zip lines.

One for the zip fanatics, Go Ape Grizedale is our only location to offer this truly unforgettable experience! The moment you arrive you know you are in for something special. You'll head up the mountain to the start point, learn how it all works and try the the training zip. We'll also teach you about the braking system before you're let loose on the remaining 6 zips that take you down the mountain back to base camp.

These zips are QUICK! With speeds of up to 45mph you will feel like you are racing through the air and as you look across you will see your buddy on the next door zip and no doubt share the same ‘this is amazing’ look of joy. So it comes as a relief as you fly into the landing site and the braking system does the hard work for you, allowing you to land at a sensible speed!

Go Ape Grizedale gets bonus points for having the most amazing zips also on the Treetop Challenge course too. So, if you want your high ropes fix, you are guaranteed to get some amazing hang time on the zips here. The longest zip on Treetop Challenge is just under 300m long and takes in breathtaking scenery with platforms up to 19m high in the canopy.

 

If you are looking for extraordinary then the dramatic Scottish scenery in Glentress Forest, Peebles with its huge Douglas Fir trees will be just the ticket.

The Treetop Challenge course is spectacular here set against the backdrop of the picturesque highlands teamed with zip wires galore; one of which is a whopping 325 metres long and will take you over mountain bike trails and even over a lake!

You will zip across the valley from the top of one hill to another traversing the landscape on a unique forest adventure.

 

Get ready for the fastest and longest zip wires in London! Just a short walk from the tube station, Go Ape Cockfosters is nestled in Trent Park and is a thrill seekers oasis.

One of our most challenging Treetop Challenge courses just happens to be within the M25, but when you're there you'll get a feeling of true escapism.  Leave behind the strain of the city as you fly down awesome zips surrounded by amazing old oak trees.

The zip wires here will not disappoint; the last zip wire starts from a platform 16m high up in the canopy, making Cockfosters the highest course in the South East! If that’s not enough of a reason to visit then where else can you skateboard down a zip…alongside your buddy?!

 

Treetop Challenge at Go Ape Dalby has some of the longest zip wires. If you put all 5 of them together and you’d travel over 1km!.

The course at Dalby is high, offering stunning panoramic views of the North York Moors. What’s more, you'll fly from valley top to valley top, zipping above the forest…not through it!

Go Ape Dalby Forest is an adventurer’s paradise– you’ll find yourself 35 metres up in the air so bring your head for heights.

 

Towering Scots Pines set the scene for some awesome zip wires at Go Ape Haldon Forest, near Exeter.

Our most southernly Treetop Challenge course has long, cool zips that go from hilltop to hilltop. The longest of 5 zips, this is a real showstopper at 230m across the valley, affording stunning views of Dartmoor.

Why not make a day of it and bring along your mountain bike to top off your Go Ape adventure with some amazing bike trails.

 

Just 15 mins from the centre of Leeds, Go Ape Temple Newsam's Treetop Challenge course here is a true northern gem. Packed full of Alpine Zips this course features tree-to-tree zip wires. They will give you a real feeling of what it is like to swing through the trees. Brings a whole new meaning to monkey-ing around!

Want to try a tree-to-tree zip course further south? Head to Go Ape Coombe Abbey our location just outside of Coventry in the Midlands.

 

A historic day out with a difference! The Treetop Challenge course at Go Ape Leeds Castle boasts the longest zip wires in the South East! There are 5 zips in total, 2 of which are over 250m long!

The zips here are breath-taking and as you pop out of the woods, flying high above a winding stream, you can take in the views from the garden of England with the beautiful Leeds Castle beyond.

Once you get the zip bug, it's hard to shake! Before you know it, you’ll be seeking out new ones to try and that’s the great thing about doing them as part of Go Ape! We have 36 locations throughout the UK… and every single zip is different!

With five different zip-filed, high-ropes adventures, there's over 200 zip wires for you to explore. What are you waiting for?!