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Thursday 03 July updated on 07-03-2025 at 8:06
Thursday 03 July updated on 07-03-2025 at 8:06
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This summer, you've made up your mind: you're taking your tribe to the mountains to introduce them to the joys of hiking. But do you actually know how long your youngest can trek for? And how much weight your eldest can carry without hurting their back? Follow the guide for a smooth introduction... that will make them want to follow in your footsteps!
Walking? Easy! Well... except when: your shoes hurt your feet; your socks slip and bunch up; your t-shirt label itches; you're too hot or too cold; your bag is too heavy; the sun is blinding you... You get the idea!
So, before setting off, make sure everything is good to go. That your little one’s feet haven’t grown a size since you bought their hiking boots. That their backpack doesn’t weigh more than 10% of their body weight (snack and cuddly toy included). That you’ve packed water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap, and a windbreaker for every young adventurer (plus some Paw Patrol band-aids – they can save the day).
In short: do everything you can so everyone feels comfortable before hitting the trails. When in doubt, shake that shoe they’re reluctant to put on one last time – chances are there’s a little pebble hiding in there…
A few key points to keep in mind before you start:
- Under 3 years old: forget about “real” hiking, it’s too demanding for those little unsteady legs. Opt instead for nature spots accessible by stroller or baby carrier, and let them toddle and play freely. Or take a gondola up for a picnic with a view from thepanoramic terraces overlooking the resort (no effort required).
- From 4 to 7 years old: pick a short route with minimal elevation gain. The French Hiking Federation (FFR) suggests a simple rule: no more than 1 to 2 km per hour.
- From 8 to 12 years old: distances can start to increase, especially if your child is used to walking. But don’t underestimate elevation gain! A 10 km hike with 500 m ascent (D+) is much tougher than a flat 10 km walk.*
- From 12 years and up: teens can “almost” keep up with adults—provided they get enough sleep and food, and you manage to convince them to hike with the folks!
Now that you have a better idea of how far your youngest can hike, pick your next family hike from the 30+ detailed routes here: https://www.lesarcs.com/balades-randonnees (we love La Voie Verte along the Isère in Bourg Saint Maurice, Chemin des Espagnols between Arc 1600 and Arc 1800, and Notre Dame des Vernettes Chapel for older kids).
And of course, don’t forget regular breaks! To rest, spot marmots, snack (once, twice, even thrice), reapply sunscreen, sip from a water bottle (and lighten the load), admire a flower, or watch a funny bug... After all, you’re on vacation, right?
*If you like numbers, try calculating in effort-kilometers—a unit that factors in distance and elevation. Easy formula: add 1 km for every 100 m of ascent. Example: 10 km + 500 m D+ = 10 + 5 = 15 effort-km. That’s a lot for little legs…
Hiking? At first, it was fun. A cool rock, a marmot crossing the path right in front of you, a little stream to hop over… Every step promised a new adventure! But after 500 meters, they’re already bored of rocks, marmots that whistle “but where IS it?? I can’t see it??”, streams they can’t even splash in — it’s so unfair…
That’s when our secret weapon comes in: the carrots! Not the ones you eat (though those help too), but the ones that get them walking, because something fun is waiting ahead. Here are three tried-and-tested ideas:
- The Arollins Trail in the Malgovert forest: a lovely 45-minute hike (105 m elevation gain) where you’ll spot charming wooden elves hidden among the trees, bushes and rocks. At the end: three fun wooden structures — the Giants of Malgovert — perfect for climbing.
- The Homme-Cairn Trail (NEW in 2025): a magical walk full of wonder, with legendary carved characters and hands-on workshops like building a cairn, hopping stones in a Japanese path, or recreating a stone arch.
- The Lakes Trail or Arc Valley Lake Loop, starting from Arc 2000: these hikes start and end near the Varet gondola. And what’s at the top of the gondola? The Luminous Frescoes of the Aiguille Rouge, hidden inside the gondola garage! Promise your kids a visit after the hike, and you might find yourself trying to keep up with them…
