Hiking is an ideal outdoor activity for families to enjoy together. It's engaging and exciting, and it provides great physical exercise. It also teaches young adventurers about aspects of nature they might not otherwise encounter. But before setting off on foot to conquer a trail several miles in length -- and several hours in duration -- it's important to do a little advance planning. This is especially true if you want to ensure that younger hikers, as well as adults, have an enjoyable experience in the outdoors. Young children who get exhausted on their first hike may become discouraged and reluctant to go back again. DIY Family Outdoors host John Nickel offers advice on how to select a hiking trail that will appeal to all family members. Read Before You Trek A hike can be relaxing or physically challenging, depending on the trail you choose. Before you set off on the trail, be sure the hike you've selected is one that's manageable for all members of the family. Particularly when taking younger family members along, select a hike that's not overly strenuous. Factors you'll want to consider include overall length of the hike (round trip), estimated time on the trail, the type of terrain and the change in elevation during the course of the hike. In hiking literature and on recreational trail maps, trail distances are typically listed and trails rated according to their degree of difficulty. Trails may be ranked as easy, moderate or strenuous. The Internet is an ideal place to begin researching possible hiking locations within easy access of where you live or where you may be planning a vacation. To get started, simply type the word hiking -- along with a state, destination or vacation spot -- into your favorite Internet search engine. Most state parks and wilderness and recreation areas now have informational Web sites that offer descriptions of their hiking resources (figure A). Consider letting the whole family participate in the online search to find an ideal spot for outdoor recreation. If you don't have Internet access at home, your local library should have facilities that will enable you to get online. Try seeking out the Web sites of local or regional hiking clubs or organizations. Note: Check some of the Web sites listed below under Resources to help you get started in your online search for outdoor adventure. Another good resource is to check with local outfitters or outdoor stores in your area. Most have salespeople who are knowledgeable about outdoor activities nearby and who can make recommendations for hikes your whole family may enjoy. Such stores will also probably have a selection of outdoor guidebooks offering descriptions of hiking trails in your region. Most good trail guidebooks provide detailed maps and descriptions of specific hikes, even pointing out the exact locations of scenic views and points of interest along individual trails (figure B). If your family is new to hiking, limit your selection to trails described as "easy" in the guidebooks or on trail maps. These will point you in the direction of child-friendly excursions that are relatively short and easy rather than those that are steep, strenuous or otherwise physically demanding. Try to select a trail that will capture a child's imagination. Keep in mind that while adults tend to prefer trails leading up to a big payoff at the end (such as a scenic vista), younger hikers may have less patience and may tend to enjoy hikes with multiple points of interest to keep them fascinated all along the way. Kid-Friendly Hikes To find hikes that are sure to be a hit with the younger set, look for those that include one or more of the following: - Water: Seek out trails with streams or ponds. Bodies of water are nearly always fascinating to children, and the presence of water frequently brings opportunities to observe wildlife at close range. Many trails run alongside streams or ponds that are accessible and safe for children to observe or even play in. If you allow your children to play in the water, first make sure it is safe and permitted, and caution them to avoid water that is deep or fast-moving.
- Climbing: Most children relish the opportunity to climb things -- rocks, boulders, hills and trees. But before setting the kids free to climb, make certain that the structure or location is safe and in an area of the trail sanctioned for human traffic -- not one off limits or with potential hazards.
- Nature and wildlife: When taking the family hiking in the outdoors, remember that children are often fascinated by small things in nature that adults may tend to overlook. Look closely for small and simple things that may reveal something about your natural surroundings. Observe and point out nature's hidden details: animal tracks, insects, varieties of leaves and plant life. Utilize the opportunity to emphasize the need to respect and preserve the elements of nature -- plants and animals and the habitats in which they live. Teach the rule "take nothing, and leave only footprints" so that unspoiled wilderness isn't damaged by human visitors and will last to be enjoyed by others. If you're lucky enough to encounter larger varieties of wildlife, observe from a safe distance and try not to disturb them as they go about their natural activities.
Hiking Distance When selecting a hike, the most basic consideration is the overall distance from start to finish. Check your map or guidebook, and note whether the distance listed is one-way or a round-trip total. Keep in mind the following guidelines for hiking distances as they relate to younger age groups: - If you're taking along children younger than 5, select an easy trail that will take less than an hour, round-trip. (Otherwise some of the adults on the trip may be indentured into providing extended piggyback rides to the younger participants.)
- If your party includes 5- to 7-year-olds, limit the hike to a total distance of about three to four miles. Select a trail that is fairly smooth and flat and that has a lot of "kid appeal."
- With the proper shoes and clothing, most 8- to 10-year-olds can handle a five-mile hike, provided the elevation gain is not too dramatic.
RESOURCES :
The Sierra Club Family Outdoors Guide
Model: 0871564424
Author: Marlyn Doan
Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Bicycling, Water Sports, and Winter Activities With Children
Sierra Club Books
Parents' Guide to Hiking & Camping: A Trailside Guide
Model: 0393316521
Author: Alice Cary
Volume from The Trailside Guide Series from W.W. Norton and Company.
W. W. Norton & Company
Backpacker's Handbook, 2nd Edition
Model: 0070653151
Author: Chris Townsend
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Best Hikes With Children series
Author: various authors
Book series on hiking with children. Individual titles are by region.
For example, Best Hikes With Children in Western Washington, Best Hikes With Children in Colorado, Best Hikes With Children: San Francisco's South Bay, etc.
Mountaineers Books
Website: www.mountaineersbooks.org/
Patagonia
Patagonia is a company dedicated to environmentally conscious design of high-quality technical outdoor clothing and gear. Since 1985, the company has donated 10 percent of it's annual profits (or 1 percent of sales, whichever is greater) to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups.
Web site: www.patagonia.com
or
patagonia site-map
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)
A comprehensive site with equipment and clothing for camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, fly fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and other outdoor activities.
REI
Sumner, WA 98352-0001
Website: www.rei.com
Eastern Mountain Sports
Eastern Mountain Sports, an outdoor store, was featured in DIY Family Outdoors, episode 101.
Eastern Mountain Sports
Peterborough, NH 03458
Phone: 603-924-7231
Website: www.emsonline.com
Outside magazine
Magazine covering outdoor activities including adventure travel, hiking, backpacking, camping and the environment.
Backpacker magazine
Magazine covering outdoor recreation, hiking, backpacking, camping, equipment, etc.
American Hiking Society
American Hiking is a national organization dedicated to serving hikers and protecting the nation's hiking trails. From the halls of Congress to the backcountry, AHS speaks up for America's hikers and the trails they love.
National Park Service Web-site
The Web site for the U.S. National Park Service is a great place to begin researching hiking and camping locations near to where you live or where you may be vacationing.
Web site: www.nps.gov
Backpacking Tips (A Falcon Guide)
Model: 1560446617
Author: Bill Schneider (Editor), Russ Schneider (Editor)
Falcon Publishing Company
Website: www.falcon.com/
Hiking With Kids (A Falcon Guide)
Model: 1560448164
Author: Robin Tawny
Falcon Publishing Company
Website: www.falcon.com/
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