Zip World Manchester - Tree Top Trek

Zip World Manchester, is nestled within the scenic Heaton Park, with exciting outdoor activities offering a choice of treetop experiences for all ages. From the adrenaline-pumping Full Trek course featuring towering high ropes and 14 zip lines, to the more accessible Mini Trek designed for younger or first-time adventurers, there’s something for everyone aged 5 and up. For families with little ones, the Treetop Nets provide a fun-filled playground of bouncy nets, slides, and treehouses suitable for children as young as 3.

Top Info

⏰ Arrive 30 minutes prior to your adventure start time.

👕 Wear comfortable clothing suitable to the weather on the day, with walking boots or trainers.

💍 No jewellery

👩 Hair should be tied back

📱 Phones or keys in zipped pocket or left in lockers

⚖ Weigh below 120kg to take part

🧤 Wearing gloves recommended

🐕 Dog friendly

💰 Cashless site

🎁 Gift shop

🥪 Outdoor picnic area

🚗 Parking £3.50 for all day

🌎 Heaton Park, Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, M25 2QB

https://www.zipworld.co.uk/locations/manchester

Now, I’ll be honest—I am not a fan of heights.. But both my girls are total climbers and absolutely love anything that involves being up high. So, as a parent trying to be brave (and not wanting to miss out), I strapped on a harness, swallowed my fear, and climbed into the treetops with them at Heaton Park to take on the Full Trek at Zip World.

Getting Ready

There are a few different car parks in Heaton Park, but we went for the one right next to Zip World. Highly recommend—it made it super easy to nip back to the car for our picnic in between activities. Parking was a very reasonable £3.50 for the whole day.

Check-in was quick and smooth. A lovely staff member helped us go through the necessary waivers (make sure you do them beforehand if you can), and they did a quick weight check for safety reasons. After that, it was time to get harnessed up. There are lockers on-site if you want to safely stash your keys or phone, which is really handy.

Next came the safety briefing and harness fitting where we put on our own hardness with official checks by the knowledgeable staff. Once we were all geared up and briefed, it was time to head into the trees!

The Climb – Starting on the Mini Trek

Thankfully, you ease into things with the Mini Trek. It's closer to the ground and perfect for building confidence. Honestly, this part alone is a fab little course—great for anyone aged 5 and up. There are five zip lines and loads of fun, wobbly obstacles (including a zip line with a skateboard).

My girls, full of confidence and excitement, flew through the Mini Trek, leaving me wobbling behind and gripping the rope like my life depended on it. To be fair, it did get my heart racing and my palms a bit sweaty, but I never felt unsafe. The harness holds you securely, and all you have to do is slide your clip along the track—no fiddling or unlocking required, which helped massively with my nerves.

The Climb – Taking on the Full Trek

Then came the real deal: the Full Trek. You start on the ground, but before you know it, you’re climbing up netting and soaring high into the treetops.

Because my girls practically sprinted through the Mini Trek, the instructor gave them a challenge: complete the first five obstacles without holding on. Of course, they smashed it, balancing along narrow walkways like little daredevils, while I was a few obstacles behind, clinging on for dear life and trying to take photos and videos at the same time!

Luckily, they slowed down after the challenge, and I got to team up with my youngest. She stuck by me partly out of kindness and partly because I had to help her move her clip along sometimes—being a bit shorter meant she couldn’t always reach it. It was a sweet little moment of teamwork between us, and honestly, it helped me feel a bit braver too.

Final Thoughts

Was I scared? Absolutely. Did I love it anyway? 100% yes.

The course was challenging but so much fun. One thing I really appreciated was how big the platforms were at each tree—they gave you space to stop, catch your breath, and get set for the next bit, even if there were a couple of you sharing the platform.

And the zip lines? Amazing. One after another, all so different, and the final one? So long—it really tests your ability to land on your feet or at least upright.

Coming down from the treetops, we were buzzing. The girls were proud of themselves, but honestly, I was the proudest of all. Sometimes as parents, our kids pull us way out of our comfort zones—and sometimes, that’s where the best memories are made.