Parents may remember the aerial slide from the Krypton Factor where it was the final obstacle at the end of a grueling assault course.

These days you don’t need to put yourself through such an exhausting ordeal to try the aerial slide, or zip wire as it is also known.

Zip wires are basically a pulley suspended on a cable that goes down a slope. By attaching yourself to the pulley you move down the incline. It’s not for the faint-hearted, although the safety harnesses ensure every participant is perfectly safe – even if they let go. You must, of course, pay attention to the safety briefings at the start.

Perhaps the best place to try the zip slide in the UK is at one of the 12 Go Ape locations. They provide a network of rope bridges, trapezes and zip slides set high in the trees covering a distance of about a mile and are suitable for anyone over the age of 10 and above 4ft 7ins in height.

You need to wear clothing that doesn’t restrict movement and that you don’t mind getting dirty. You also need to wear closed shoes, preferably ankle supporting boots.

Long hair should be tied back, body piercings removed and tummies covered to avoid chafing from the harnesses.

The course is particularly good at helping people conquer their fear of heights as you are in a harness at all times.

To find your nearest Go Ape centre visit www.goape.co.uk.

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