New Treetop Trek adventure activity planned for Lake District (From The Westmorland Gazette)

New Treetop Trek adventure activity planned for Lake District

6:09pm Tuesday 6th December 2011 in Business By Daniel Orr, Reporter

WORK has begun on a new family adventure activity expected to attract thousands of extra tourists to South Lakeland.

Treetop Trek is being built at the Brockhole Visitor Centre on the shore of Windermere as part of ongoing efforts to turn the Lake District into the ‘UK’s Adventure Capital’.

Construction will be complete early in the new year and the attraction is aiming to open by Easter, creating eight new jobs.

The aerial obstacle course through oak woodland will feature rope bridges, wobbly logs and a triple zip wire descent.

Adam Thomas, Brockhole redevelopment programme manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted about this project.

"It is part of the ethos here at Brockhole to provide a taste of the Lake District and allow people to have a go at something.

“You don’t have to be a hardened adventurer but it gives people the chance to get a genuine thrill. This is a big part of our commitment to the Adventure Capital.”

Mr Thomas said he also hoped the attraction would help to teach people about nature and the area itself.

An ‘Indiana Jones’ style rope bridge will link the Tree-top Trek entrance tower to a beginner’s course roughly 12 feet up, while the more daring can try a higher route.

The ropes course has been designed by international expert Nick Moriarty and his company Ropes Course Developments, which has developed more than 500 courses, in 20 countries.

Those have tended to be built among pine trees which have been planted in an orderly pattern, unlike the layout found in the Lakes.

“It is a very challenging job because these trees are not set out in a uniform pattern, but the finish will be second to none,” said Mike Turner, owner of Treetop Trek.

“There is already a highly regarded centre on this site and we are happy to be here.”

Ian Stephens, managing director of Cumbria Tourism said: "Treetop Trek is an example of the type of attraction we are keen to see developed.

"This is a great fun activity in a breathtaking location and will appeal to all age groups especially families.

"In particular, it will give youngsters a taste of adventure and we hope will also stimulate a long term interest in adventure and in Cumbria’s great outdoors.”