Family hiking

Successful Family Hike

Hiking keeps us active, allows us to reconnect with nature and see landscapes from a different perspective. There is also an educational side to hiking with children: you can teach them more about animals and plants directly in their habitat, which makes the experience much more interesting for them!

For a family hike to be a success, you have to be well organized and prepare an itinerary according to the age, pace and interests of each member of the family.

Before departure

Before choosing your trail, take into account its level of difficulty, the distance to be traveled and the type of terrain (flat or uneven) in order to choose the most appropriate one for your family. Usually, a child can walk about the number of kilometers equivalent to his age. To find trails well suited to your family, check out theSépaq website.

Once you have found an ideal trail, get all the relevant information about this trail: a detailed map of the trail that includes the location of the toilets and shelters, the route to get there, where to park, the kind of animals you may encounter, etc.

Always let someone know where you are going and what time you plan for the day.

The day before departure, prepare everything you will need for your hike and put everything in strong and comfortable backpacks.

On the day of departure, dress comfortably. Choose shoes suitable for walking.

What to bring on a hike

He althy and energizing snacks

Water

Garbage bag

Trail map or mobile app if available

Sun protection

Mosquito Repellent

Spare clothes

First Aid Kit

Tissues and wet wipes

Camera, video, binoculars

Compass or GPS

During the hike

Always keep an eye on your children during the hike, and stay alert for signs of fatigue or dehydration. If you notice they have less energy, take a break. It is advisable to take a break at intervals of 15 to 60 minutes with young children. Take the opportunity to eat a small snack and drink water. Also make sure children stay on thepath and respect the environment by explaining to them the importance of preserving the nature around them.

Tips to keep children interested during the course

Make a walking stick using dead branches

Having a picnic by the river

Take photos and videos of the adventure

Invite friends to join our hike

Feed the birds or animals

Have a fun game of geocaching

Ask the children to identify the trees, plants and mushrooms you come across

Offer a reward after the hike (an ice cream at the dairy bar, for example.)