Famille
Hiking with children: helping them love the mountains
Right-sized distances, breaks that matter, games along the way: how to turn a hike into an adventure your kids will ask for again.
2 min read
Children don’t hike to “bag a summit”. They walk for a hut, a stream, a whistling marmot. The secret of a good family outing: change the goal, and let curiosity set the pace.
Distances to suit them
- Ages 3–6: 1 to 2 hours of actual walking, 200–300 m of ascent.
- Ages 7–10: 2 to 4 hours, up to 500 m of ascent.
- From 11: proper full days, if they are keen.
Allow twice the “adult” time: breaks, discoveries and stick collecting are part of the walk.
The little ones’ pack
A small, light pack of their own, with their water bottle and a cuddly toy or binoculars: they feel like real hikers. In yours, a warm layer and spare clothes, because someone always steps in the stream.
Choosing the right terrain
Go for wide paths with no exposed sections and a visible “goal”: a lake, an alpine chalet, a viewpoint. Avoid long steep descents, which are more tiring and riskier for little legs.
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