Discover the perfect family adventure with these eight family-friendly hikes around the world! Find suitable routes for families with kids (and even fur babies) — from easy to challenging, coastal beaches to forests.
As the joyful June holidays approach, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse themselves in the tranquillity of nature. Camping offers a unique chance to appreciate the natural beauty around us and create an intimate connection with the environment. By combining camping with hiking, families can discover stunning landscapes, encounter wildlife, and enjoy the fresh air and exercise that comes with exploring hiking trails! Read on for tips and tricks to planning your family hike and the best destinations to head to!
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Factors to Consider When Planning a Family Hike:
1️⃣ Trail Difficulty: Opt for trails with moderate difficulty levels that suit the youngest and least experienced hikers in your family. Research the trail’s length, elevation gain, and terrain to ensure it aligns with your family’s capabilities.
2️⃣ Trail Accessibility: Look for trails that are easily accessible and well-maintained, especially if you have young children, family members with mobility limitations, or even a furry best friend to bring along. Accessible trails with wide paths and smooth surfaces can ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.
3️⃣ Scenic Beauty: Choose trails that offer captivating scenery, such as lush forests, breathtaking vistas, serene lakes, or cascading waterfalls. Engaging with natural wonders along the way can keep children entertained and motivated.
4️⃣ Amenities and Facilities: Consider hiking trails that offer amenities like picnic areas, restrooms, and campsites nearby. These facilities can enhance your family’s comfort and convenience during the trip.
Tips for Hiking with Children:
1️⃣ Plan and Communicate: Involve your children in the planning process such as discussing the trail and it’s duration and expectations. Allow them to choose some of the activities or points of interest along the way to keep them engaged and excited.
2️⃣ Start Small: Begin with shorter hikes to acclimate children to the experience. Gradually increase the difficulty and length of hikes as their endurance and confidence grow.
3️⃣ Snacks and Water: Pack plenty of healthy snacks, such as granola bars, fruits, and trail mix, to keep energy levels up during the hike. Ensure everyone has a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
4️⃣ Dress Appropriately: Dress children in comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing suitable for weather conditions. Encourage them to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sneakers for better foot support and protection. Invest in a durable backpack with multiple compartments to carry snacks, water, extra layers of clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other essentials.
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5️⃣ Safety First: Teach children about hiking safety, including staying on the trail, being aware of their surroundings, and respecting wildlife. Carry a basic first aid kit and ensure everyone knows how to use it.
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Now that we have explored the factors to consider and essential tips for planning a family hike, let’s dive into the exciting part: discovering the top five family-friendly hiking destinations around the world!
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Get up to 12% cashback when you shop on YouTrip Perks
Top Eight Family-Friendly Hiking Destinations Around The World:
1. Sunndal – Bondhusvatnet (Folgefonna National Park, Norway)
Image credits: AllTrails.com
Sunndal – Bondhusvatnet is a beautiful and easy hike near Ænes, Vestland. The hike is 4.8 km long and takes about two hours. The trail follows a gravel road along a river to the Bondhusvatnet Lake, where you can see the Bondhusbrea Glacier. The trail is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, and dogs are welcome as well!
The hike is part of the Folgefonna National Park, which is known for its glaciers, waterfalls, and forests. You can also extend the hike by following the trail up to a moraine below the glacier.
This place is suitable for families because it’s easy to access, has a gentle incline, with a maximum of 313m elevation, and has a well-maintained trail. It also offers a scenic and educational experience, as you can learn about the history and culture of the area, see the glacier and lake, and enjoy nature and wildlife. It’s a hike that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
Distance: 4.8km
Duration: ~2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Opening hours: Year-round
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
2. Cinque Terre, Italy
Image credits: Gretas Travels
The rugged coastal trails of Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italy, provide a unique hiking experience for families. These scenic trails connect five colourful cliffside villages, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) and the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) are popular family-friendly routes, that showcase the region’s charm and beauty. Along the way, you can savour local cuisine, swim in hidden coves, and explore the enchanting village streets.
1. Via dell’Amore (Path of Love): 1 km long, 20-30 mins
2. Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail): 12 km long, 4- 6 hours depending on your pace and the time spent enjoying the scenic viewpoints along the way.
Image credits: Alltrails
There are multiple sections to the Blue Trail, so you can choose which ones you want to explore if you prefer not to venture the whole 12 km.
Monterosso to Vernazza:
This segment of the Sentiero Azzurro trail, between the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza, is a popular choice for families. It spans around 3.6 km (2.2 miles) and typically takes 1.5-2.5 hours to complete, depending on the fitness levels and pace of your family members. This section offers a mix of coastal paths, vineyards, and charming colourful village views.
Corniglia to Vernazza:
Another beautiful section of the Sentiero Azzurro, the trail from Corniglia to Vernazza, covers approximately 3 km (1.8 miles). The hike usually takes around 1.5-2 hours to complete, accounting for stops to admire the stunning vistas and capture memorable family photos. This segment is harder as it involves some steep ascents and descents but is well worth the effort for the breathtaking panoramas.
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
3. The Jurassic Coast in England
Image credits: Pexel
Hiking along the Jurassic Coast in England is a mesmerizing experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the geological wonders and breathtaking coastal landscapes. The trail offers a variety of hiking options, ranging from leisurely walks to more challenging treks. Here are some popular sections of the Jurassic Coast trail that are suitable for families:
1. Exmouth to Sidmouth: This section of the trail spans approximately 20.8 km and typically takes around 4-6 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the time spent enjoying the coastal scenery and attractions.
2. Lyme Regis to Charmouth: The distance between Lyme Regis and Charmouth is approximately 5 km. This section can be completed in 1-2 hours, depending on your pace and the time spent searching for fossils along the shoreline.
3. Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door: The circular hike from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door and back is relatively short, covering a distance of around 4.2 km. Hikers usually take 1.5 to 2.5 hours for this route, including time for enjoying the stunning coastal views.
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
4. Uluru Base Walk in Australia
Image credits: Trip Tins
This is an easy and cultural hike that takes you around the base of Uluru, the sacred sandstone monolith. You can learn about the Aboriginal history and significance of the site. The hike is 10.6 km long and takes about 3.5 hours.
Location: Uluru Base Walk
Opening Hours: Opening hours vary depending on the time of year
Park Pass: From AUD 25
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
5. Hooker Valley Track in New Zealand
Image credits: DOC
This is an easy and scenic hike that leads you to Hooker Lake, where you can see icebergs and Mount Cook. The hike is 10 km long and takes about 3 hours. It’s flat and well-paved so there’s no need to worry about rough terrains.
The track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, offering splendid views of Aoraki/Mount Cook when the sky is clear. During your journey, you will traverse three swing bridges, and be greeted by icebergs, glaciers, and grand mountains that will undoubtedly make you want to capture their beauty with your camera at every turn.
Location: Hooker Valley Track
Distance: 10 km
Duration: ~3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
6. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Image credits: Pexel
Situated in the majestic Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park provides endless opportunities for family-friendly hiking adventures. Explore trails like Johnston Canyon, where suspended walkways offer a unique perspective of stunning waterfalls, or the Tunnel Mountain Trail, which rewards hikers with panoramic views of Banff townsite. The park’s well-maintained campgrounds and family-friendly amenities, combined with its awe-inspiring landscapes, make it a perfect destination for families seeking a true wilderness experience.
1. Johnston Canyon: One of the most popular hikes in Banff, Johnston Canyon takes you on a stunning journey through a narrow canyon carved by Johnston Creek. The trail, which is well-maintained and mostly paved, offers two main destinations: the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls. The round trip to the Lower Falls is approximately 2.7 km and takes about 1-2 hours. While continuing to the Upper Falls adds another 3 km and another 1-2 hours. The canyon’s towering limestone walls and cascading waterfalls make it a memorable and family-friendly hike.
2. Sulphur Mountain: While not a traditional hiking trail, the Sulphur Mountain Summit offers a memorable experience for those seeking panoramic views of Banff and the surrounding mountains. Starting from the Banff Upper Hot Springs, the trail climbs approximately 10.8km (3.4 miles) with an elevation gain of around 744 meters (2,441 feet) and takes about 4hr 32mins to complete.
Location: Banff
Opening hours: Open 24 Hrs
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
7. The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland
Image Credits: National Trust
The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO heritage site that boasts unique geological formations on the coast of Antrim, Northern Ireland. The trails here are relatively easy and offer stunning views of the hexagonal basalt columns. These 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed by volcanic activities millions of years ago. The folk story goes that The Causeway is said to be built by a giant. With this fantasy story coupled with the stunning views, children young or old, are sure to be enthralled by this area.
There are four walkable routes on the Giant’s Causeway:
| Trail | Distance | Duration | Difficulty Level | Accessibility |
| 🔵 Blue Trail | 1.28km | 25 minutes | Easy | Dog-friendly |
| 🔴 Red Trail | 3.2km | ~30 minutes | Moderate | Dog-friendly |
| 🟢 Green Trail | 3.2km | 1.5 hours | Easy | Dog-friendly, wheelchair accessible |
| 🟡 Yellow Trail | 2.88km | 40 minutes | Challenging due to steep terrain |
All four trails above are generally quite manageable and easy to follow. You can simply pick and choose which suits the family best. The cherry on top is that some of the trails here are also dog and wheelchair friendly.
There’s also a visitor centre with exhibits on the geology and history of the area for visitors to learn more about the place. Admission is free but you can pay for tickets which include onsite parking and guided tours.
Opening hours: 9 AM, closing time depends on the season
Address: Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
8. Yosemite National Park, California
Image credits: National Park Services
Yosemite National Park has many trails, a few of which are family-friendly and there’s also the Junior Ranger Discovery Trail that is specifically designed for children to explore.
Image credits: Yosemite National Park Trips
This program is specifically designed to engage and educate children about the park’s natural wonders and conservation efforts. It offers a fun and interactive experience for the whole family, allowing kids to learn about the park’s ecosystems, wildlife, and history through various activities and educational materials.
If you’re just looking for a free and simple hike, here are a few other family-friendly tracks you can consider bringing your family on:
Image credits: Yosemite National Park
| Trail | Distance | Duration | Difficulty | Open |
| Lower Yosemite Falls Trail | 1.6km loop | 30 minutes | Easy | Year-round |
| Mirror Lake Trail | 3.2km | 1-hour round trip to the lake, 2-3 hours full loop | Easy to Moderate | Year-round |
| Vernal Fall Footbridge Trail | 2.6km round trip | 1 – 1.5 hours | Moderate | Year-round |
These trails wind through a variety of habitats, including meadows, forests, and waterfalls.
Park rangers are available to guide and assist families along the trail, making it an ideal choice for families looking to explore and learn together in Yosemite National Park.
Opening hours: Generally year-round and 24 hours a day but check the official website for alerts for closures due to weather conditions
Location: Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Exploring The Great Outdoors: Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World — Find out more here
Explore The Beauty Of Nature With This List Of Family-Friendly Hikes Around The World!
These are just a few of the many family-friendly hiking trails that are available around the world. As you plan your family hiking adventure, consider the factors we discussed and embrace the beauty of the great outdoors! Whether you choose the rugged coastal trails of Northern Ireland or the breathtaking peaks of Mount Cook, each destination offers a unique blend of natural wonders, family-friendly amenities, and opportunities for exploration. You’re sure to find the perfect trail for your family. And while purchasing your hiking gear and embarking on those family-friendly trails, don’t forget to make use of your YouTrip Card to lock in those wholesale exchange rates and skip those pesky bank fees!
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Happy hiking!
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