Go Ape – Crathes Castle

Go Ape – Crathes Castle is an exhilarating outdoor treetop adventure course featuring high ropes, tricky crossings, and massive zip lines suspended high up in a historic forest. It is located on the grounds of Crathes Castle near Banchory, Aberdeenshire, using the postcode AB31 5QH.

What to Expect and Enjoy
If you want to challenge yourself and get a massive adrenaline rush, this is the ultimate woodland playground. It is built directly into the tall trees surrounding a majestic, centuries-old castle estate, blending historic scenery with modern high-altitude thrills.

• Treetop Challenge: You navigate your way across an elevated obstacle course packed with wobbly bridges, tightropes, cargo nets, and stirrup crossings high above the forest floor.
• Epic Skateboard Zip: One of the most famous highlights here is a unique zip line where you launch yourself off a high platform while standing on a custom skateboard rig, flying through the trees.
• Tarzan Swings: Test your nerve by leaping off a high platform directly into a massive, vertical cargo net, catching yourself before climbing up to the next station.

Best For and Time Spent
This activity is spectacular for adventurous families, teenagers, groups of friends, and adults who love physical challenges. A full session on the main course usually takes between 2 to 3 hours. Wear sturdy, grippy shoes and comfortable outdoor clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit of tree sap on.

Height and Age Guidance
Safety harnesses require participants to meet minimum height limits rather than just ages.

• Treetop Challenge: Designed for adults and older kids. Participants must be at least 140cm tall.
• Supervision: Children under a certain age require an adult to climb with them on the course to help manage their safety clips.

Helpful Tips for Your Visit

• Parking: There is a large parking area on the castle grounds. While estate parking can sometimes require a small fee, it places you directly next to the course entrance and castle trails.
• Food & Drink: The castle estate features a lovely courtyard cafe serving hot drinks, fresh traybakes, and light lunch options. There are also plenty of beautiful picnic glades if you want to bring your own snacks.
• Savings: Booking your climbing slot online well in advance is highly recommended to secure your preferred start time, especially during busy school holidays.

Nearby and Combine-able Hits
Because you are already on the castle grounds, you can combine this with a walk through the stunning, formal walled gardens of Crathes Castle. It is located a short drive from Storybook Glen, which is a great option if you have younger kids in the group who aren’t tall enough for the high ropes. It is also an easy drive from the Aberdeen Snow Sports Centre if you want to keep the active outdoor theme going.