The Honister Zip Wire Where slate once flew, Now You Can
England's longest zip wire
Coming summer 2026: Launching from over 2,000 feet and running more than a kilometre down the crag at speeds of up to 65mph. Limited Slots
1.2km of wire, 65mph
A buzz that starts before you leave the platform and lasts the rest of the day.
2,000ft above sea level
Launch from the summit of Honister Crag, and the Lake District opens up in every direction.
15 years in the making
Mark Weir's long-held vision for Honister. A labour of love that took a decade and a half to build right.
England's longest zip wire
A record-breaking ride following the historic aerial flight that once carried Honister slate.
Thrill Factor:
Full on
Intense and out there. Guaranteed to get your pulse racing.
THE STORY
A mind-bending shot of sensory thrills
Long before anyone came here for the thrill of it, there was a wire strung across Honister.
The old Lancaster aerial flight was built to carry slate off the crag, swinging loads of green stone through open air, down a path no cart and no man could follow. The people who made it weren't chasing a rush. They were solving a problem, moving stone off a mountain the only way the mountain would allow.
They had no idea they were drawing the most exhilarating line in England.
For a long time it sat quiet, just a memory in the rock. We've spent fifteen years bringing it back. Not for slate this time. For you.
To the summit
Your journey starts at the foot of the pass and climbs to the top of the crag, over 2,000 feet up, the same summit the old miners' railway once worked its way toward. From up here the Lake District opens out in every direction, and the valley floor looks a very long way down. Because it is.
Clipped to the line
You're fitted out, checked over and clipped on by the same adventure team that has run Honister's mountain for decades. There's a moment, right at the edge, where the wire stretches out ahead of you and disappears down the mountain. Everyone has the same thought here. Very few say it out loud.
The flight
Then you step off, and the mountain does the rest. More than a kilometre of cable, up to 65mph, one of England's highest passes falling away beneath your boots. Nothing between you and 450 million years of Westmorland slate but the wind and a single steel wire. For about a minute, you'll see Honister the way only the slate ever has.
Back on solid ground
You'll come to rest further down the mountain with your heart still somewhere up on the crag. Most people are quiet for a second, then can't stop talking. That's usually when they start asking when they can do it again.
Coming summer 2026
The line opens for its first season next summer. Booking is open now and slots are limited, so book early to get the date you want.
England's longest
More than a kilometre of cable, launched from over 2,000 feet, at speeds of up to 65mph. The longest zip wire in England.
A limited first season
Only a small number of riders can go in year one. When those slots are gone, the next chance is the following summer.
Built on a proven mountain
Run by the same adventure team behind Honister's Via Ferrata and mine experiences, with decades of taking people safely up and down this crag.
Rider requirements
Minimum age, height and weight limits will apply for safety, as with all our activities. Full details confirmed ahead of launch.
Expert team
The first riders pay the founder-season rate. Once the first-season slots are booked, the next chance to fly the line is summer 2027.
FAQS
The mine is open year-round, offering a unique experience in every season. If you prefer fewer crowds, we recommend visiting during the off-peak months (autumn or winter). However, summer offers beautiful views and a vibrant atmosphere in the surrounding Lake District.
Up to 65mph. You'll launch from 2,000ft above sea level and travel 1.2km of wire over one of England's highest mountain passes. It's the longest zip wire in England, and the fastest minute you'll have this year.
The ride itself lasts around 60 seconds. Allow extra time for the full experience, getting to the summit, kitting up and the briefing. It's worth taking your time up there.
Probably yes. The moment you leave the platform, the fear becomes something else entirely. Our guides have seen it a thousand times, the people who are most nervous at the top are usually the ones who want to go again at the bottom.
Every detail of the zip wire was engineered with safety as the starting point, this took 15 years to build right. Fully trained guides at the launch point and landing zone. All equipment checked before every session.
Dress for a mountain summit in any season, waterproofs, gloves and sturdy footwear. No heeled boots or open-toed shoes. You're 2,000ft up: the weather will remind you if you've underdressed.
Check with your guide on the day, cameras and GoPros may be permitted if properly mounted. Handheld devices aren't safe at 65mph. We recommend leaving the phone in your pocket and just living it.
While we do allow on-site ticket purchases, we recommend booking in advance, especially during peak seasons, to ensure availability and avoid disappointment. Booking in advance guarantees you a spot and helps streamline your visit.
Yes, we have ample parking on site.
Summer 2026, for its first season. Slots are limited, and the sooner you book, the more choice of dates you have. Book now to secure yours.
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Be one of the first ever to fly the line.
Somebody is going to be among the very first people to ride England's longest zip wire, down a line that's been part of this mountain for generations. The only question worth asking is whether it's going to be you.