Hiking with children

With children, the aim of a walk is not to reach the summit: it is to make them want to go again. That changes the planning completely.

Suggested distances

• Up to 3 years: in a child carrier rucksack; any stretches they walk are about play, not distance.
• 3–5 years: 1–3 km on flat ground, with frequent stops and a visible destination (a spring, a bridge, a viewpoint).
• 6–9 years: 4–7 km with a gentle amount of ascent, around 200 m.
• 10–13 years: 8–12 km and up to 400–500 m of ascent, depending on how used to walking they are.

These are guidelines, not targets. A child who walks regularly can manage more; one who does not, less. Watch how they finish the walk: if they arrive angry and exhausted, it was too much.

Motivation

• Let them set the pace and walk at the front.
• Set small goals and little rewards along the way.
• Turn the walk into an activity: look for tracks, count bridges, identify trees.
• Bring more food and plan more stops than you think you will need.

Specific kit

Children get cold and sunburnt more quickly than adults: always bring a cap, sunscreen, a warm layer and a waterproof jacket, even in summer. Closed-toe footwear with grippy soles is better than everyday trainers. A small rucksack with their own water helps them feel involved in the outing.

Warning:Set a firm rule before you start: no one goes ahead on steep sections, near cliff edges or at junctions. Teach them to stay put and make themselves heard if they become separated from the group, and agree on a meeting point.