Choosing the right hiking trail for children

A hike with children stands and falls with the choice of a suitable route. The trail must not be too demanding for the kids, but at the same time it should not bore them. Ideally there is much to see and discover along the way. Theme and adventure trails that pass exciting stations are very well suited. Discovery tours through nature and in the forest are also fun. Here, native Wild animals observed or different plant species identified.

It's best to inquire at local contact points about excursion destinations in your region. For example, tourist offices or hiking guides can be helpful. But numerous hiking trails that you will enjoy are also listed on the internet.

Of course, when hiking we first think of mountain meadows, high forests and well-deserved breaks at the hut. But who says you have to go to the mountains to go hiking? Throughout Germany there are beautiful hiking routes that are very suitable for hikes with children, especially tours along rivers and streams. To start, don't choose a difficult mountain tour with many altitude meters, but rather an easy hike with little elevation change.

Which hiking route can I expect my child to manage?

Day hiking tours are already a real challenge for kindergarten and primary school children. And if your child complains of sore feet or simply doesn't want to continue, the route won't be much fun for you parents either. But how many kilometers can you expect your child to manage? A few hours are okay: The hiking time is more important than the kilometers walked – after all, depending on the type of terrain it takes differently long to cover a route. About three hours is the maximum for kindergarten children. And even with this walking time you should plan sufficient breaks. Primary school children manage four to five hours, depending on fitness and route – and depending on how motivated they are to continue. Of course endurance also varies by child. If you go on family hikes together more often, endurance will increase over time. Start best with a short route that doesn't take too long. As a rough guide, the German Hiking Association gives another rule of thumb: age x 1.5. For a five-year-old child you can therefore expect a maximum of 7.5 kilometers. 100 meters of elevation correspond to one kilometer. Hiking holiday with a child? For school-age children a hiking holiday is a good idea – as long as it doesn't mean going from hut to hut and having to cover a certain distance every day of the holiday. If you can flexibly choose between different short tours and also take a day off from hiking, children will also have a lot of fun on a family hiking holiday.

Basic tips for hiking with children

Adapt to the children's pace: On a hike the slowest participant always determines the pace. On a family hike this is usually the youngest. Always adapt the pace of your tour to your children so you don't overwhelm them. Give them an incentive: The “great view” is not a very appealing goal for children. Maybe instead offer a delicious ice cream at the end of the hike, a shared barbecue or an adventure playground. Games along the way or adventurous experience trails also motivate your kids. Allow enough time: With a child you'll probably need around 50 percent more walking time for a route than you would alone. Plan this extra time and possibly schedule one more break – of course with enough time to play and explore the surroundings. Bring children of similar age along: If your child only hikes with adults, it can get boring. Children of the same age are great motivation while walking and great playmates during breaks. No pressure to perform: If your child is tired or no longer wants to continue, you should not react with disappointment – that will likely make them lose interest in hiking even more. Instead, try to motivate them by pointing out the destination or the next rest stop so that the hike gains a positive meaning.

The right equipment for hiking with children

For the family hike to become a great experience, the right equipment is essential. Maybe before each outing you also face a huge pile of clothes and don't know what to wear or pack. Here the rule is: pack a little less, but the right items. Remember that you have to carry everything you pack on your hike. Still, a high-quality basic kit should not be missing for an outdoor adventure. Here are some "must-haves" you shouldn't do without on your hike with the children. Good footwear Nothing is worse than having to keep walking with sore or sweaty feet. Make sure your child wears lightweight and breathable hiking boots – in the long run it's worth investing a bit more here. Good hiking boots fit the foot perfectly and provide secure support. They also have a grippy outsole so your little one won't slip even in difficult terrain. To keep feet dry on every tour even in wet weather, waterproof shoes with a breathable membrane are recommended.

Suitable outdoor clothing As a well-known saying goes: there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. With robust outdoor clothing you can be out in any weather. It keeps your kids warm and dry while being breathable. This way the little ones can run outside carefree without you having to worry about mud, puddles or grass stains. For a hike, the "layering" approach is generally recommended, where individual clothing layers can be removed as needed if your children become too warm from movement.

Backpacks for little adventurers What would a real adventurer be without their backpack? A backpack simply belongs on a hike. For the little ones there are special children's backpacks that are usually gladly worn. Just like the grown-ups. In addition, children's backpacks impress with great colors and cute motifs. Spare clothes, rain protection or a water bottle can be stored perfectly in them. Just make sure you don't pack the backpack too heavily for the hike, otherwise it can quickly become a burden for your children.

Hiking with a stroller: what to consider?

Pick a route that is well suited for hiking with a stroller. Avoid many elevation meters and especially steep climbs. The trail surface is also important so you don't get stuck or have to struggle over longer stretches on rough gravel with a buggy or stroller. Ideal are well-developed paths. Long paved paths often run along rivers. But how do you find such routes? Many regions now expand their path networks and create barrier-free routes or routes specifically for families. These are usually advertised on the internet. In addition, there are even specialized stroller-hiking guides. Don't choose too long a route for your first hike with the stroller. Pushing a stroller can quickly become tiring. Hiking with a stroller is particularly fun in a group with other parents and children. A "terrain-capable" stroller is a prerequisite. Not all family hiking trails are continuously paved or even surfaced – in places you must expect gravel tracks or soft forest floor. Therefore you should definitely take a suitable stroller for hiking. Optimal is a light, maneuverable buggy with large rubber tires and good suspension. If your baby is still too small for the buggy, the classic stroller also works – but it should also be stable and well-sprung and have rubber tires.

Hiking with a baby – out and about with the youngest

Hiking with children | You can already go on trips into nature with the youngest. A hike is possible when you already go on longer walks with your baby. At what age this is exactly is hard to answer in general. Because many parents carry their baby on the body, the baby itself is usually not the decisive factor.

It's more about how fit you are for the tour. Don't attempt extreme tours with very small children that go through very difficult terrain and to great heights. Also avoid routes that are too long. You can find out how physically fit you are, for example, on your next city stroll with baby in the carrier. You also test how your child behaves. Does your child sleep the whole time blissfully or feel uncomfortable?

Essential for a hike with a baby, however, is a comfortable and well-fitting baby carrier or child backpack carrier. It distributes the weight evenly across the carrier's body and offers your child a comfortable sitting position.

Image credits

Family has fun in the mountains © EVERST - stock.adobe.com