Hillwalking with kids: our top tips for success
Do you want to start hillwalking with your kids? Then stop thinking and start walking. We've been walking with our kids since they were born. By the age of 6 they were tackling mountain trails. By 10 they made full day walks. Here's what's worked for us.
Start young
The sooner you take your kids hillwalking, the more natural it feels. By starting early with short, easy walks, you make it just another part of life like swimming or cycling.
Even if it's only a simple walk, let them get used to being outdoors, exploring nature, moving around in the woods and everything that lives there. Our kids always saw nature as one great playground. They could play for ages with some water, sand or branches. Try to make every walk a small family adventure.
© Maaike Meerman
Make it fun
One of the best ways to make hillwalking fun for kids is to choose trails with interesting features. In Austria there are lots of family friendly walks with playgrounds along the way. You can even take a cable car to the top of a mountain and walk from playground to playground. This makes walking fun because after every few kilometres there is some kind of reward. But don't overdo it.
That said, we tried to avoid trails that are more like theme parks than nature trails. Our goal was to help them build a genuine connection with nature exactly as it is. Climbing a tree along the trail, building dams in a stream or stopping at a mountain hut for some fresh cheese are also great features.
© Maaike Meerman
Dress them well
Hillwalking is fun, as long as you're not too cold nor too hot and as long as you don't get wet. The weather can shift quickly, especially in the mountains. The right clothing makes all the difference. Focus on the essentials: walking trousers, walking socks, a base layer, and a waterproof jacket. Layers are best because they're easy to adjust as temperatures change.
For kids, comfort is key. We’ve found that even the coolest trails can be ruined by something as cold feet or wet clothes. With layers, your kids can enjoy the experience no matter the weather.
Start small
Walking with kids is not so much about the distance, it's more about the elevation. 5 kilometres is just an hour on the flat. But 5 km AND 1,000 metres in altitude takes at least 3 hours. So start small, by taking an easy route to a cosy mountain hut.
Take time along the way to point out interesting plants, wildlife or views. This slower pace lets kids connect with nature and might spark their curiosity.
© Maaike Meerman
Pause and eat (a lot!)
Kids burn energy fast and knowing what to bring on a walk can make a great difference. For us, it's all about drinks and snacks — drinks meaning plenty of water. We love to bring homemade cake or dark chocolate. But vegetables like carrots and cucumber also make great snacks for walking trips. These little snacks help boost their energy and give them something to look forward to on the trail.
Fun hiking trails for kids in Austria:
To get started, here are some trails in Austria we’ve loved at different ages:
Ages 4–6: Hopsiland at Planai, Schladming—short paths, fun stops.
Ages 6–8: Geisterberg, Sankt Johann—play areas with easy-to-follow trails.
Ages 8–10: Kodok, Saalbach—great for budding adventurers with gentle inclines.
Ages 10–11: Schmugglerpfad, Gargellen—longer trails with fascinating sights.
Ages 12+: Now the mountains are your playground! Try full-day hikes with summits and views.
