A multi-generational February half term holiday in the Lake District, with ages ranging from one to seventy, might not initially sound like a good recipe for getting lots of hiking done. However, with a little bit of effort, the whole family can enjoy getting out on the hills.
We have roped in two guest bloggers, James,aged 9, and Robert, aged 7, to explain the best way for everyone to get out and about and have fun.
Family Walking in the Lake District, Top Tips from James and Robert
View from a hike in Whinlatter Forest
Robert says he likes hills that trick you. “You think you’ve got to the top, but there is another hill, like on Rannerdale Knotts.” Catbells is Robert’s favourite mountain to hike in Lake District, “because it’s got rocky bits and smooth bits and grassy bits.” His advice for hikers is, “stay on the path so you’ve got to go the right way, unless its safe and smooth and you’re really good at scrambling. If it’s really steep and you’re a mountaineer you can climb it. If you’re not a mountaineer you can have a try for a quarter or half of it, but if you really try you might be able to go to the top.”
Robert advises that, “snacks are important on a long walk, especially if it is four days”. Robert would quite like to walk up Mount Everest or K2, but thinks this might require a lot of snacks.
Our intrepid explorer James on Haystacks
Robert says “you can get very nice good days at the top of mountains when its not that windy, but sometimes it is very windy and you have to cover nearly all your head. You sometimes get good weathers but sometimes not so good.”
James advises, “when you get tired its always good to bring a few drinks and maybe a few chocolate bars. If the kids are getting really really tired you don’t have to go all the way to the top every time.” He also says “make sure everyone has warm clothes so that when you get to the top of a mountain you’re not shivering.” Catbells is also James’ favourite Lake District hike, “because its not too steep and its not too far so you don’t get too tired. You get a beautiful view from the top and you have a fun time scrambling to get there.”
James’ final piece of advice is that “the decent size of a mountain is about 1 – 2 miles.”
Family Walking in the Lake District, Top Tips from us Adults
View from Latrigg
1) Make sure everyone has appropriate clothing and footwear (see our section on day hiking equipment for more info). Kids need to be properly clad too, nobody will have a good time if people are cold and wet!
2) It may sound counter intuitive, but kids can often enjoy a challenging walk up a hill more than an easy walk, say round a lake. There is the satisfaction of reaching the top and the opportunity for some scrambling over rocks which always goes down well with the younger generation.
3) Don’t overstretch the youngest walking member of your party. Look at the height gain and the distance of any walk to ensure they are capable of doing it. Factor in extra time as well. Short legs can tire easily and will need some rest.
4) Carry plenty of snacks and water. Small children burn a lot of fuel when hiking and will need regular top ups. We tend to take a picnic for everyone in warmer weather, but stick to sweets, chocolate, fruit and nut bars and fruit in weather that is too cold and wet for a comfortable lengthy stop.
5) Discuss the hike in advance and give the younger members of the party chance to look at maps and join in discussions. We have found younger walkers are much more willing when they have chosen the hike.
Fun at Whinlatter WildPlay
6) Put the younger hikers in front. It is quite discouraging to spend the entire walk watching the backs of the people in front disappear into the distance. They quite like being first to the top too……
7) If one of your party is too small to walk, a back carrier is the way forward. It is worth spending a little extra to get one that is comfortable and sturdy. We like the Littlelife Freedom S2 Child Carrier
8) If you have a child in a carrier, remember they will lose body heat very quickly. Hands and feet can be especially vulnerable. Invest in decent baby thermals, thick socks and a couple of layers of all in ones to keep your small one toasty.
9) You can intersperse hiking with other activity. We are especially found of the activities in Whinlatter Forest which is a great place to make for on a wet day. The WildPlay area always goes down a storm….
