How old was your child when you started hiking with him/her?

Marcia - posted on 03/08/2010

We started hiking with Nate when he was 2. We waited that long because I didn't like Tacoma's weather but AZ was great for hiking for me. He loved picking the trails. We stopped when we moved to Germany but now that we're in TX we'll start up again as soon as we get our gear!

I'd say go for it as long as you're comfortable. If you're going to wait to have her walk herself let her pick the trail. Carriers should work fine otherwise.

Judith - posted on 03/06/2010

I started as soon as they could walk. My 8 yr. old can probably hike harder and farther than me!

Elina - posted on 03/01/2010

recently read an article about getting your kids out in the rain (with proper gear, of course) to acclimate them to it. can you tell i live on the wet coast of bc?
it basically said to start playing with them in rainy conditions early so they get used to their environment, and also to learn to adapt to less-than-ideal weather conditions.
i would imagine that this is the same for hiking; we've been taking our little guy out since he could hold his head up in the carrier. he's born dec of '08 and i remember being out and rubbing new pussywillows on his face.
we took him camping at 7months too but we went with a group of non-hikers so there was no walking involved. he slept with us in the tent just fine (i actually think I had the worst night's sleep; i kept waking up thinking either i'd rolled over onto him or that he'd escaped from the tent -- next time i'm bringing zap straps for the zipper)

oh, and i'm like every other mom who's had the good fortune of having an ergobaby carrier come into her life: swear by it and wouldn't bother with any other style/brand. (i was given a kelty, a bjorn, an over-the-shoulder sling and a traditional japanese tie-on torture device even before my baby shower that have all been collecting dust since i got my ergo)

Rebecca - posted on 02/25/2010

START NOW!!
We started hiking with our first son when he was still in the Bijorn inside my jacket (a winter hike), transitioned him to the Kelty Kids and have never looked back. We now have two boys 7 and 4 and each can hike, without complaining for several miles. It is such a great family activity and allows us to take some really great vacations (before we have to worry about fitting hiking trips into spring break). Remember sunscreen or a hat, snacks they can carry (our preference is cereal with added cranberries and almonds) and a camera they are allowed to use.

Dawn - posted on 02/24/2010

I took my son at a year old. They have awesome back packs with medal frames. He loved it. He loved when I talked to him and showed him all the plants and animals. It was a great time to make animal noises and at times I would set him down and let him run around. It helped with his footing and he now loves the outdoors. My daughter I did the same thing with now she is a tom boy with a dress. But they have no fears and always want to go out for family time.

Kristina - posted on 02/11/2010

We took our little girl out on her 2 week birthday, lol! It was very cold, -10 to -15 out with about 2 feet of snow on the ground, she did great!

Erin - posted on 02/10/2010

Take her now!! Get her excited about the great outdoors! We started taking our son early (easier for us because he was born in February!) when he was only a month old, in the all-terrain stroller. Then when he was 6 months we took him in the hiking back back. He loves it and we love it!! He is now almost a year and I can carry him no problem in the back pack. I don't remember which one we got, it was highly recommended on the REI site and is the REI brand. It was worth every penny! (well actually I registered for it, and we got it as a gift.)

Paula - posted on 02/10/2010

I have 6 kids, and I have taken each of them hiking as infants. It's a great experience for them. If you love hiking, it really gets them used to the idea young. All of my kids LOVE hiking. You can put them in a backpack and then as they are able, let them out periodically to try walking, then climbing with your guidance.

Amanda - posted on 02/09/2010

we took our twins in front carriers when they were three months old. it's good for them, and if they get to stretch their legs some then even better.It is a great family event

Michelle - posted on 02/08/2010

We started taking our son hiking when he was just a few weeks old. He loved being outside and we thought the fresh air was good for him. We started with him in a front carrier and then moved to a bigger backpack carrier as he got older.

Tia - posted on 02/05/2010

My child started hiking at age 5 (not in a backpack). Dont expect too much and make it fun and adventerous. By the following year she was doing 1/2 day hikes and loving it.

Marti - posted on 02/04/2010

We started with our son Derek when he was still in a stroller! Of course we lived in Florida then so the trails were relatively flat.When he was walking on his own we'd do the easy, short trails and just increased them as his size increased. But he is almost 8 years old now and can hike a 10 miler like it's nobodys business!

Ashley - posted on 02/03/2010

Such great info - all the responses are very helpful! I was wondering the same thing about hiking - when to start up again after baby is born. Thanks for all the great info!

Valerie - posted on 02/03/2010

Aimee-Grace,
My husband and I have not stopped hiking! We hiked when I was pregnant, and carried our son when he was a baby. When he could walk on his own, we just stuck to shorter hikes that would be enjoyable to him, then moved up. He is 11 years old now, and hiking is one of his favorite things to do. We live in Washington state though, so we are fortunate to hike year-round in sun, rain, and even snow! In the younger years, I always found it easier to hike with other kids, so they have motivation, and also pick hikes that are easier and have some sort of a destination (cool thing to see), like a lake, waterfall, or other neat feature. Nature is important to all of our futures, so have fun with your child out in the woods! You can even come up with a "treasure hunt" to play to encourage your child to look around. Find certain types of trees & flowers, show them edible plants, etc.

Carrie - posted on 02/02/2010

My son's first hike was at 4 weeks in a front carrier and I just had my daughter 6 weeks ago and she's already been on 3 hikes in a Baby Bjorn front carrier. She loves it and has never cried yet on a hike. At 10 months old, your daughter should be more than fine. She'll love it if anything like my daughter! Just make sure you have a sturdy pack, preferably with a frame so you don't hurt your back.

Janel - posted on 02/02/2010

My son was only a couple of weeks old when we first took him on a hike. We used a sling carrier the first few times and then we used the Baby Bjorn. Now we use a Kelty framed backpack and he absolutely loves being outside!

Karie Ann - posted on 02/02/2010

Our son is 5 months old. We have already started taking 2-3 hour walks on trails in the snow with his covered sled. We also bought a kelty baby backpack carrier and plan to use it this summer (he will be 9 months then). I say, get out there while you can when it`s not too hot. :-) It`s bad enough we are stuck in the house all winter! lol Happy Trails!

Stacey - posted on 02/01/2010

My oldest was 6 months old and in a backpack carrier, our second was 3 months old in a sling and our thrid was 9 months! (But only because she was born in late fall and in Canada that's just too cold to hike with a newborn!)

Christi - posted on 01/31/2010

Take her now! We started hiking with our son Sam when he was just a couple months old, using the swing. Now we go hiking in the Ergo carrier. We go all the time and he falls right asleep.

Dana - posted on 01/30/2010

Start now! i got a great back pack carrier by Deuter that goes up to 48 lbs and is sooooo comfe. You will love it and she will love it. There is no reason not to start now unless the weather is badt.

Mary - posted on 01/29/2010

go for it now! I think Rachel was 3 or 4 months when we went with her the first time, I think...maybe smaller. We went in the winter and loaded her up with clothes and put her in a backpack carrier. She did get sunburned hiking when she was 5 or 6 months...make sure to have a hat or something to guard from the sun for baby with you (oops on our part)!

Meachele - posted on 01/29/2010

packs are great now. 20 years ago they were simple and lacking extra padding, so get a great support pack and get on the trail. I remember hiking with my children when they were in a push chair. Up and down hills and through the forests in Europe.

Meachele - posted on 01/29/2010

My children grew up in Europe and walking/hiking is big there. We started as soon as they were able to walk. Into the countryside with the gear. We did alot of small hikes in different areas so there was always something new. My youngest hiked Mount Snowdon, Wales at the age of 5.

Aimee-Grace - posted on 01/29/2010

Thanks for all the advice!

Nargis - posted on 01/29/2010

We started hiking with our daughter when she was about 6 months old, she was born in April and we love hiking in fall/winter. We have gone through 2-3 backpacks since she is now almost 3. Its lots of fun to hike with them! My husband usually carried her on his back and we brought some snacks and a bottle. Even when she had colds we took her out in the fresh air and just bundled her up....she loved it! Never cried! Most times she fell asleep for awhile then would wake singing i her daddy's ear! Not sure if he will be able to carry her this winter though cause she;s 38 inches tall and at least 35 lbs now.....kinda big but we did still hike this past fall with her. Good luck and enjoy it now!

Kim - posted on 01/28/2010

We weren't near hiking trails until my girls were 1 & 3, we waiting until they were 3 & 5 to go with them!!

Nicole - posted on 01/27/2010

My daughter was born last January so since it was so cold I didn't really start hiking with her until April. I used put her a sling and hike or a front backpack. Then I switched to a hiking backpack and it's wonderful, I still use it often. For less harsh terrain I'll take our jogger.

Paula - posted on 01/27/2010

Get her started now. We were hiking with my daughter as soon as she was strong enough to hold her head up in her carrier.

Kimberly - posted on 01/26/2010

Cameo was a year and a half old. she walked til she got tired and one of us would carry her then she would walk til she got tired and the other one would carry her . sometimes she would even carry her own little bag of snacks and water.
she was running circles around us when she was 4 all the way up and back down LOL

we hiked the mountain every weekend for over 5yrs til we moved here to oklahoma

Allison - posted on 01/26/2010

Go now! We hiked with our first daughter in a baby backpack by Kelty from 6 months on and she loved it. She would get rocked to sleep. By a year she was still the perfect age to enjoy nature, it really relaxed her. My little guy is almost two and we can't wait to take him out when it warms up.

Samantha - posted on 01/26/2010

In-the-womb and on!

Lindsey - posted on 01/25/2010

Go ahead! Our first short hike and camping was at 5 weeks (in a Baby Bjorn Synergy carrier facing me) and we've done other short hikes since. I look forward to this spring/summer when we can get out in the mountains more- we have a Kelty baby backpack that I would feel comfortable taking him in- he has good head support now- but will have to wait for the snow to melt :)

Lisa - posted on 01/24/2010

I started when my son was a little over 1. I got a framed hiking backpack. You can find deals on ebay, and finding previous year models at online stores. My son absolutely loves the thing, and sometimes begs to get back in after we get home. We ended up going on a hiking vacation to Colorado last summer. He was about 16 months at the time, and he didn't whine one time being in his hiking backpack. It was a great trip! I would recommend starting early if you like to hike. Have fun!

Tamara - posted on 01/23/2010

We used a backpack at 1 year old, and at 2 we just let them hike alongside with us but we of course did easy trails--it seemed to be a great way to burn off that 2 year old energy!

Josie - posted on 01/23/2010

Hi! Did quite a few 2+ miles outing in the Bjorn beginning around 2 months. Our first "real" hike was a 5 mile hike @ 5 months via a kelty backpack carrier. I was a little worried because mid-way through she started crying, but then promply fell asleep in her carrier, it was smooth sailing from there! That was one of my favorite outings, beautiful day, plus, my husband and I got to return to an activity that brought us together in the first place. Oh! Almost forgot, I tried a bit o snowshoeing when she was only a month old, but turned around for the car early as it was a bit deep and powdery to be tromping around the woods with a baby. Get out there whenever u can!

Jacqueline - posted on 01/23/2010

I started hiking with my daughter at around 7 months with her in her ergo carrier... Our first hike was around 4.5 miles... It was hard but well worth it. Alyssa ended up falling asleep in her ergo. She even nursed in the ergo as well!

I recommend having a carrier with lost of support and is comfy :)