River Deep Mountain High Lake District Activitites Walking, Climbing, Watersports, Cycling, Horse Riding and Fishing

Clocktower Buildings,
Low Wood,
Haverthwaite,
South Lakes,
Cumbria,
LA12 8LY

Tel : 015395 31116

About us and how we do 'outdoor activities'

River Deep Mountain High is owned and run by Johan and Emma Hoving. We feel that the world of outdoor activities is not just the domain of cold and wet school trips but that with quality equipment and service, is a pleasurable active way to enjoy the beautiful landscape we are blessed with living in the midst of.

Countering Misconceptions

We established River Deep Mountain High in 2002 on a mission to correct the largely held misconceptions about sports such as open canoeing and ‘the type’ of person that enjoys them. A high percentage of our customers are between 30 and 60 and rather than being 'outdoor types', they are more likely to have never been in a canoe before. They generally make a point however, of saying how much they are looking forward to going out with us again in the future.

A Quality Experience

We aim for high quality and try to deliver this throughout. We have chosen equipment that makes for the most pleasurable ride. Our clothing is easy to put on, comfortable to wear when taking part in activities and doesn’t feel like thousands of people have worn it before you. We've also added in services such as one-way journeys on lakes to make the most of the wind and one-way biking journeys to enjoy the downhill trend. We don’t expect you to notice all these things when out with us, we just expect you to enjoy the experience without distraction.

River Deep Mountain High outdoor activities offer an active, enjoyable way to get a different view of the Lake District making them the perfect addition to any holiday.

We’ve taken the most enjoyable parts of sports like canoeing and cycling, and matched them with high quality equipment, routes and service to create the most pleasurable ways of seeing more of the Lake District.

Whether you are after fun, leisure, adrenalin or a personal challenge, our activities have something for you.

Open Canoeing

Open-canoeing or Canadian-canoeing uses wide stable boats and is a little like being in a rowing boat. They are easy to propel (unlike rowing boats!) and with a little instruction, mastered in no time.

For more information click here.

Gorge Walking

Gorge walking takes you up a steep sided beck (Lakeland river), walking in the path of the water, scrambling over rocks, traversing above pools and climbing up waterfalls. Generally with gorge walking there are some ‘Jacuzzis’ and not so hot tubs en route, we swim across pools, jump in them and slide off rocks and waterfalls.

Kayaking
(Minimum age 13)

Kayaking uses boats originally designed by Eskimos for travelling on the sea. This in mind the boat is covered except for a hole around the waist. Our kayaks allow beginners to have some fun, learning skills on a lake and then maybe trying them out on a river in further sessions.

Abseiling

Abseiling involves lowering down a rock face with the ropes set up so that you are in control of your own descent. A challenge for all ages that is also an unusual, exciting experience you won’t forget.

Mountain Biking

At River Deep Mountain High we divide mountain biking into 2 forms: Mountain Biking and Trail Cycling. Both Mountain Biking and Trail-cycling are on off-road terrain but Mountain Biking has bigger ups, more full on downs, can be more remote, requires choosing a line and can be faster i.e. it has more technical terrain to heighten the challenge and excitement. (If you’re not sure where you fit into trail cycling and mountain biking, simply let us know your aims and previous experience and we’ll be happy to advise.)

Dinghy Sailing

You will be instructed in the use of your craft of choice (Sport 16, Wayfarer Topper, Pico, Laser, Omega, RS Vision) by an RYA qualified dinghy instructor, departing from one of 4 venues on either Coniston or Windermere. Instruction will be done with as much on-the-water tuition as possible. Quite often the instructor will be in the double-hander with you, if you are in a single hander the instructor will teach the basics from the beach then usually accompany you on the water from a safety boat. You will be instructed and not left! All abilities are catered for from complete beginners, right through to the club racer.

With 2 canoes rafted together, we hoist the sail and let the wind do the hard work, leaving you to enjoy the experience.

Allow us to take you along the paths less trodden in the full knowledge that you are led by a qualified mountain leader.

Guided Trail-cycling

Trail cycling uses mountain bikes to follow forest trails and bridleways and our routes are focused on riding through great scenery where the trend is downhill. There may be some uphill bits but these are always in short stretches with no pressure to perform record times.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is a sport loved by many all over the country. If you would like to try climbing we can offer an introductory session that will include a few single pitches (not more than one rope’s length) suitable for anyone over the age of 10.

Archery

In general, all our outdoor activity sessions aim to include elements of fun, learning new skills and going on a journey. However, each session will generally have one of these elements as its main focus either because the activity naturally suggests it, (eg. Walking a journey), or to tailor the session to the groups aims. Be sure to let our office/your instructor know if there is something you would like to do or learn (or not learn as the case may be!). We will always remember that you are doing the activity as part of your time off and so your enjoyment will always be our priority.

Raft Building

Raft building requires everyone to work together to come up with a design, build the design and then to move it on the water. This is always lots of fun and with larger groups more than one raft can be built which enables races, tugs of war and other variations.

For more information click here.

Activity Holidays and Weekends

Walking, Biking and Multi-activity Holidays

Corporate Days out for Team Building
Pages for schools, youth groups, hen and stag groups will be available soon.

Active Weekends

Choose to focus on 1 activity or do a variety