Zip Trekking Adventure

For the safety of both mother and child, Go Ape strongly recommends that pregnant women do not take part in our adventures.

Our adventures are robust physical activities involving climbing, balancing, and zipping, which naturally carry a degree of risk. While we don't want to be discriminatory, we are not medical experts.

We strongly encourage you to seek advice from your doctor before deciding to participate.

If, after consulting your doctor, you choose to proceed, we will require you to formally declare your pregnancy to a staff member and sign a specific disclaimer acknowledging that:

"I have made Go Ape aware that I am pregnant and, as a result, Go Ape has recommended that I do not take part on the course. However, I have decided to take part on the course in the full knowledge that this may incur risks to my unborn child."

We want you to have a safe and wonderful experience, so please prioritise medical advice when making this decision!

Due to the nature of our treetop activities, we strongly recommend that pockets must be emptied to prevent the risk of dropping any personal belongings while on the course. Some courses are built over a mixture of vegetation, streams, and in some locations even lakes and ponds. There is therefore a risk of personal loss if items are dropped into areas that cannot safely be reached by foot.

Bumbags and backpacks aren't permitted on the course as they may increase your risk of injury or get in the way of your harness. A lanyard and phone pouch can be purchased online at the time of booking or on the day from the Go Ape cabin (subject to availability). If you need to carry any medication with you, please let a member of staff know who will be able to provide you with a pouch which can be attached to your harness.

We recommend that non-essential items and bags are left somewhere safe such as in your car. Small items such as car keys can be left in the Go Ape cabin.

Absolutely! Spectators are more than welcome to come along and watch the action from the ground. Most of our courses are set in open woodland, with walking trails and viewing areas, so friends and family can follow along and cheer you on from below.

The only adventure with restrictions is Woburn Safari Park, which allows just one onlooker free of charge (additional spectators can be added to your booking at Woburn for an additional fee).

Go Ape designs its adventures to be as accessible as possible. Our high ropes courses require a degree of physical fitness but if you can climb up a rope ladder you will be fine. Our Forest Segways require you to stand for an hour on a moving platform and require similar energy as riding a bicycle. Nets courses have a lot of bounce and therefore require similar energy to a bouncy castle.

A supervising adult will only need a ticket if they are participating in the activity.

Some of our activities do require adult supervision in the tree tops. Depending on the age of the children you are supervising, it is possible to supervise from the ground if you prefer. We recommend participating with your children so you can enjoy your adventure together, especially if it's their first time or they are feeling a little nervous.

Supervision requirements can be found on the location and activity pages of the website.

Yes, our harnesses do have specific safety limits based on waist and leg measurements. We want all of our customers to feel secure and comfortable. If you are concerned about harness fit, we warmly invite you to visit the site before your booking date. Our team will be happy to let you try one on privately and will handle your enquiry with complete sensitivity and discretion. Please just check your local site is open before travelling. More information on harness sizing can be found here.

We have produced this handy guide on staying safe at Go Ape in hot weather. Please have a read through to prepare for your adventure.

Go Ape is an excellent wet weather activity. Our courses are substantially sheltered from rain and wind by the trees themselves so as long as you are appropriately dressed for the weather you should still have great memories of your experience. The course remains open in all weathers, except thick ice, thunderstorms and gales. Rain makes the course muddier than usual which can add to the fun, but you might want dry clothes to change into for the journey home.

If we have to close for unsafe weather conditions, we will offer you a refund, credit note or reschedule your booking. If unsafe weather is forecasted we will aim to make the decision as early as possible, and will do our best to contact you to try and save you a wasted journey.

Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome on-site and must be kept on leads. Please note that dogs are not able to join you on the course, and some areas of the site may not permit dogs (such as the café or play areas).

Yes, Café Ambio is siutated in the visitor centre close to our cabin, serving everything from drinks and light snacks to hearty meals perfect for after your forest adventure. And don't forget the English Lakes Ice Cream! There is also a forest exhibition and shop where you can pick up gifts. Grizedale is now also home to an observatory and planetarium, providing you the opportunity to explore the universe from the heart of the forest. Opening times may vary seasonally, check Forestry England's website for more information.

Baby-changing facilities and accessible toilets are located at both toilet blocks on site, either by the café near our cabin or at the top of the hill in the main car park.

There are paths to the main building that will also take you to the cafe, toilets, ticket machines, picnic area and play area. If you have any specific accessibility requirements please contact us ahead of your visit so we can help. You can also find more information on Forestry England's website.

Yes, parking is available at Grizedale Forest's main visitor centre car park and Kennels car park. Both car parks operate a 'pay on exit' system with automatic number plate recognition. It is a short walk to the cabin from both of these car parks, and the walk to Go Ape is signposted. We recommend arriving early during peak times. Please find more information on Forestry England's website.

We do have small lockers available free of charge in our cabin. However, there is a limited number so we recommend bringing as little as possible. Personal belongings are left at your own risk.

Toilets are available next to the café, just a short walk from our cabin. There are no toilets out on the course, so we recommend using them before starting your activity.

Go Ape Grizedale is in Grizedale Forest Park, just over the hill from Hawkshead in The Lake District. The roads into the forest are narrow and can be slow going, especially in summer, so allow plenty of time for your journey to avoid potential delays. Please do not use the Ferry across Windermere as it will delay your journey, waiting times are often in excess of 45 minutes. However it can be a scenic way of returning to Bowness after your adventure!

If you are travelling from the north, follow the A591 to Ambleside, leave Ambleside on the A593 to Langdale and Coniston. Take your first left onto the B5286 to Hawkshead. Follow the B5286 south through Hawkshead and then take the first right at the brown tourist sign for 'Grizedale'. Follow the road for approximately 2 miles to arrive at Kennels car park.

If you are travelling from the south, exit the M6 at junction 36 and take the A590 towards Barrow. Follow the A590 past Newby Bridge to Haverthwaite Crossroads. Turn right, following the brown tourist sign to 'Forest Park Centre' and then follow signs for Satterthwaite/Grizedale North until you reach Grizedale Forest's main car park.

Once parked in either car park, follow the signs for Go Ape and you will find our cabin situtated opposite the play park in the visitor centre.