Peaceful solo walks and quiet outings in the Lakes often come to mind, but they are only one side of the outdoor life the Lakes has to offer.

While camping recently at Eskdale, we heard on our trek through the Japanese garden forested area the sound of people cheering and pulleys.

On closer inspection we found one of many outdoor adventure operators - Outward Bound - with a programme including climbing and paint gun challenge in full swing.

Outward Bound, www.outwardbound-uk.org, does everything from half day children's programmes to rock climbing, orienteering exercises and corporate training.

It is dotted about the UK and, with a couple of centres in the Lakes to choose from, and the variety of options, it looked like a good starting point.

All the information in the brochures is online, but special itineraries can be arranged.

Up in the north of Cumbria, my search for adventure sites turned up the Howtown Outdoor Centre at www.howtownoac.co.uk.

It was very much in tune with the foot-and-mouth situation with lots of links and news.

Gill scrambling, rock climbing and tunnelling were just a couple of the offerings that caught my eye - especially the latter.

It also offered a variety of water sports - kayaking, sailing and canoeing.

For those who like to have their feet firmly planted on the ground, there are several sites focused on the coast-to-coast walk.

For an inspirational image to get you off on the right foot, visit www.c2cwalks.co.uk, a company based in Windermere.

It maps out the Cumbria Way route - Ulverston in the south, passing through Coniston, Great Langdale and Keswick, to Carlisle in the north and Hadrian's Wall.

If you have lots of experience and are committed to the sport, www.mtnguide.co.uk in Coniston offers in-depth certification courses in mountaineering on top of its local, national and international treks and tours.

If adventure is calling you, call up Lake District adventure sites and see if there's something for you.

You could plan a whole trip in the Lake District, going from one outdoor centre to another - or visiting their web sites, just to whet your appetite.

If you come across a site worth visiting - pass it on to us.

Or, if you have a photo from your latest Lake District adventure, enter it into our My Vacation in Cumbria contest.

Don't forget to send your entries to 'My Vacation in Cumbria' online photo competition.

The winner will get their photo(s) published on our web site.

Please send entries to Gazette Gallery (maximum three images in jpeg format as attachments) by e-mail with your name, address, contact information and location of photos to the Web Editor at kate.harrison@notes.newsquest.co.uk.

Photo selection decisions are final and a prize will be given for the best photo in the autumn.

Usual Gazette rules apply.

Thisis site of the week: Although adventures are sometimes seen to be individual pursuits you might want to join a club.

Check out www.frcc.co.uk, the Fell and Rock Climbing Club site.

It is an excellent general information site, with a special section on things to do with kids - right from the West Coast through to Kendal.

Just the thing as the holidays arrive.