Things to Do

Go Ape Dalby Forest

By Jon Cosson · Updated 10 October 2026

High in the canopy of Dalby Forest, near Pickering, Go Ape is one of the North York Moors' great adrenaline days out. Treetop crossings, wobbly bridges, Tarzan swings and zip lines soaring across the forest valley. There's a bigger course for teens and adults and a gentler one for younger children, so it works for most of the family. Here's what to expect and how to book.

A view along the high-level rope walkway of the Go Ape Treetop Challenge at Dalby Forest, strung high between tall conifers above the forest floor

High in the Dalby Forest canopy: the Treetop Challenge walkway stretches away between the larches, with the forest trail winding far below.

Go Ape Dalby at a glance

Where: Within Dalby Forest, near Pickering. You drive in via the Dalby Forest Drive
Two courses: Treetop Challenge (ages 10+) and the family Treetop Adventure (younger children)
Booking: Book ahead on the Go Ape website, especially in school holidays
Important: The Dalby Forest Drive toll is separate from your Go Ape ticket
Dogs: Welcome around the site, kept away from the zip landing zones

Treetop Challenge (for teens and adults)

The main event is a self-guided high-ropes course through the forest canopy, taking roughly two to three hours. Expect six sections of wobbly bridges, crossings and rope ladders, two of Go Ape's famous free-fall Tarzan swings, and a series of zip lines, including a long cross-valley zip high above the forest floor. It's built for adults and older children: you need to be at least 10 years old and 1.4 m tall, with a maximum weight of around 130 kg (20.5 stone). An adult supervises children aged 10–15. Check the current age, height and supervision rules when you book.

A visitor in a harness crossing a wobbly rope walkway on the Go Ape high-ropes course at Dalby Forest, with tall conifers behind — Mid-crossing on the Treetop Challenge: rope walkways, swinging stirrups and a long way down to the forest floor.

Treetop Adventure (for younger children)

For younger adventurers, Treetop Adventure is a gentler introduction. Around an hour of crossings, wobbly bridges and a couple of zip-wire finales, designed for children roughly 4 to 10 years old and over 1 m tall, with an adult supervising (and participating for the youngest). It's a brilliant confidence-builder and a genuine family favourite.

What to wear and bring

Wear closed-toe, flat-soled shoes (no sandals or slip-ons) and clothes you don't mind getting grubby, and dress for the weather. The course runs whatever the sky's doing. Long hair tied back, pockets emptied. There's a café and gift shop at the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre nearby for afterwards.

Getting there, tickets and booking

Go Ape sits inside Dalby Forest, reached via the Dalby Forest Drive, and remember that's a toll road, so you pay to drive into the forest on top of your Go Ape ticket. Book your session in advance on the Go Ape website, particularly during school holidays and sunny weekends when it's busiest; that's also where you'll find current prices, age and height limits, opening times and any seasonal courses.

Make a day of it

Go Ape is just one corner of a big forest, pair it with Dalby's walking and cycling trails, the play areas and Staindale Lake, or stay after dusk for the dark-sky observatory. See our full Dalby Forest guide to plan the rest of the day, our guide to the Moors with kids for more family ideas, and where to stay if you're making a weekend of it.

This is an independent visitor guide and is not affiliated with Go Ape.