Is It A Good Idea To Go Hiking With A 3 Year Old?

During a five day stay in the French Alps, we knew we HAD to get our trainers on and go hiking at some point! That’s what you do in the Alps in the summer, right? Right! So, on our last full day in the French town of Morzine, the sun was shining, the air was fresh. Today was the day we’d go for a hike. The only problem was we were with our three-year-old daughter. Not the keenest walker in the world, let alone hiker (the local shops and back is usually her limit) we decided to go ahead regardless and thought it would be good exercise, an experience and maybe even fun…

With my husband in charge, who has been coming to the Haute Savoie region since he was a young boy, I (foolishly) left the logistics to him and we set off on our way.

We started off with the cable car. A great choice. Mrs T is a big fan! She has been on them before and loves them. Plus, the views were pretty spectacular. 

Mrs T
Mrs T at the cable car ticket office – not your typical hiker

A fun way to start the day. After getting off the cable car we wandered a short distance to a chair lift. We stood waiting alongside dirt-ridden mountain bikers, who replace skiers on the mountains when the snow disappears, until they pointed out to us that there was separate queue for those on foot.  

We took advantage and were ready to go up. Almost! Somehow, I had managed to lose my lift pass between getting on the cable car to the chair lift (!). As the sun beat down on me, I rummaged around in my rucksack insisting it would be in there SOMEwhere – there was no way I could have LOST it! Losing patience (which doesn’t take long), my husband urged me to duck under the barrier. I did so without detection…we were on.

The chair lift got a very good reception from Mrs T. So far so good in a eyes of a three year old. We looked down at the mountain bikers zooming down the hill and were in awe of the terrific mountain views.After getting off the lift, the real work began. With the mountain looking incredibly different from its snow covered tips in winter time, even my hubby was a bit unsure of his bearings. We got some directions from the lift operator and happened to bump into another family with a boy the same age as Mrs T – at least we weren’t alone in our hiking adventure!

We had barely gone a few steps before my daughter requested to be carried. We negotiated her going on daddy’s shoulders and set on our way. With the sun feeling hotter on our pale skin, we somehow managed to persuade her to put her hat on – they really can be very stubborn beings, can’t they? We continued along our way catching up with the other family who were encountering similar problems with their son.

At our end, we had a minor breakdown and there was some mention from Mrs T about going home. I managed to avert such talk with a biscuit. It did the trick.

As I was managing the tears, my husband contemplated our next move. We had got to the route which led to our preferred destination and saw the steep downward path had a rope across it. Although reassured (by the other family we met) that it was fine to use, we weren’t sure how long it would take us and with an already tired girl on our hands we stuck to the path everyone else was using and decided on a slightly different destination, Avoriaz village.

After the biscuit, Mrs T perked up a bit, we came to a forest which gave us some shade and she decided to walk all by herself! She seemed happy pointing out flowers, trees and muddy puddles. This was more like it! I enjoyed having a wander with my little girl and she was joining in the experience. It all seemed to be going well… That was until I heard a shout from the other member of our party. My husband.

“Come on, hurry up,” he barked at me from several metres ahead.

“I’m just enjoying the scenery with my daughter,” I yelled back.

“Well I’m hungry,” he informed me, “so get a move on”.

Charming. And so the nice, peaceful walk had now become a race against time to feed his belly.

Forget three year olds, being stuck hiking in the French Alps with a hungry Yorkshireman is far worse in my book.

And so Mrs T was on his shoulders again and then the end was almost in sight. Our next walk was a 2km climb up a mountain road. Mrs T seemed happy to walk up and was rewarded with a lolly.

Wander Mum and Mrs T hikin g in the Alps
This is the standard hikers ‘look’, right?

The views made the walk all worth it and it wasn’t long until we made it to Avoriaz – around 7km later – more than enough for a three year old. Our final walk (which seemed to last forever) was through the village. I have only ever seen Avoriaz in the winter, on skis. It was almost unrecognisable in the green haze of summer. We eventually got to a restaurant and relaxed. Hubby was fed. I was content and daughter was a little tired but happy and enjoyed some lunch with us before we embarked on another fun-filled cable car ride.  So, is a hiking with a three year old a good idea? Yes, I think it is, but make sure you don’t have a hungry husband on your hands as well. Mrs T would call him a “silly billy” and I would agree although I’ll give him credit for doing the shoulder lugging with Mrs T. All in all an interesting experience but here’s some things we’ll remember for next time which would make it an even better idea…

Bring lots of food (and water)

Be prepared to carry your child

Get a good idea of the area before setting off

Check the route and plan shorter ones if paths look unsuitable or in case children get tired quicker than expected.

Don’t head out in the midday sun

Eat something before you leave and take snacks

Enjoy the scenery. After all that’s what you are there for!

Have you been hiking with children? What are your tips? 

Watch our experience here…


Find out whether it is a good idea to take a young child hiking in the French Alps

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Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

65 Comments
  1. Such a fantastic place! It’s hard work hiking with little ones but I find a pocket full of jelly babies or similar sweets acts like a great bribe when dished out at milestones. Plus the sugar gives them energy. Sometimes sulky husband’s can be more difficult than tired children when out hiking (the sweets thing works on them too!) 😉 I have learned!
    Elizabeth recently posted…The Hams of Muckle RoeMy Profile

    1. How does he get on with the back carrier? I saw someone using one when we were on our walk and commented that it was a good idea but she did remark that it was quite heavy. Do you find that? Definitely one to think about – hills are not popular with little legs! Xx

  2. Hahahaha loved reading this! Kids are so unpredictable and what is it with husbands leaving us behind and then getting ticked we are trying to sort everything??

    The pics are absolutely spectacular and it looks beautiful x #bestandworst
    Mary recently posted…Headstone ShoppingMy Profile

  3. OH dear. Kids AND husbands just add to the fun, don’t they? I usually find I have to bribe my hubby as often as my 3 kids! They will all do anything for some M&Ms or TicTacs! In fact, that is how we got our 5,7 and 9 year olds through Paris in the summer. “Climb this hill and you can have a Tictac. Try this duck dish at the restaurant and I’ll give you a TIcTac. ” Whatever works and keeps us able to travel, right? Hiking does get easier, by the way. Now that the kids are older they request a good hike every once in awhile and we NEVER have to carry them! XOXO Bronwyn (Queen B)

    1. Hi Bronwyn, I think you are right. A bit of bribery for children and hubby. Glad to hear it gets easier! At the moment lollipops are the treat of choice but TicTacs are a great idea. Xx

  4. I love your honesty! It’s easy as writers to get carried away with the lovely details and forget to mention the bits that didn’t go so well! Also v useful to,me to see what we’ll be dealing with in 2 years time when our daughters are 3 as at the moment they love hiking with us but not sure we’ll be that lucky forever! Beautiful scenery and that food looks divine!! #whatevertheweather
    Nia recently posted…8 reasons not to be sad that Summer is over My Profile

    1. Thanks Nia! You are right, life and days out don’t always go smoothly! I’m sure if you are getting them into it already, they will love hiking when they are older. X

  5. It sounds like she did really well! I’m impressed she went on the chair li so happily too, my o is a little scared of certain things and I don’t know whether that would have worked! Great there are so many cable cars and chairlifts still working in the. Summer too. My husband gets grumpy when he’s hungry too, they can be worse than the kids sometimes! A beautiful walk and gorgeous photos!
    That’s for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
    Jenny Eaves recently posted…Fun and Eclairs in the ForestMy Profile

    1. Thanks Jenny, husbands can definitely can be worse than kids at times. Yes, a few of the lifts reopen in summer for the mountain bikers so great to get up highly. I’m not sure Mrs T had much option about going on the chair lift…she seemed to enjoy it though. Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather

    1. Ah ha, that sounds like an interesting trip Laura. Have you blogged about it? Need to have a read. We’re off to Sri Lanka next year! That sounds like a good option for carrying them. Xx

  6. I hike all the time with my kids. Your tips are spot on. One other thing I have found helpful is to bring activities to keep them interested when they get tired of walking. My kids love an old camera, binoculars, whistle (they have to blow it softly), walking stick, or other fun gear that mom and dad usually carry.
    Mae @OutdoorsMom recently posted…The Complete Guide to CampfiresMy Profile

    1. Ha, yes, I don’t really have the hiking attire down yet do I… and no hiking boots either.. If this is a regular activity I’ll have to get kitted out properly! Thanks for hosting #bestandworst xx

  7. This sounds like a great walk and we probably would attempt it ourselves. Great tips about the snacks. We have a toddler carrier that comes with us for longer walks but generally Tin Box Tot does a lot of the walking herself. I’m hoping her younger sister is the same when she gets to that stage! #WhateverTheWeather
    Claire at Tin Box Traveller recently posted…Travel Timehop #30: London, 2002My Profile

    1. Thanks. That’s good to know about the carrier – probably wasn’t far enough to warrant one this time. Am sure little sis will love it too xxx

  8. We used to attempt to take ours walking when they were still pretty young. It didn’t always end well so we tried all sorts of encouragement (we’re going on a treasure hunt and the like). I certainly remember some strops…. Funny thing is they walk faster than us nowadays! #pocolo

  9. Such a gorgeous area – at the moment, I can never quite tell if my three-year-old is going to race around like a demon all day as I push the buggy (usually filled with our bags) or tell me she can’t walk because her legs are both broken (her favourite excuse, no clue why!) and be pushed all day. So for now, especially if I don’t have a carrying companion, I think we’re going to leave the hikes. This is definitely a gorgeous place to try though! #countrykids
    Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Family holiday in Florida: No mice involvedMy Profile

    1. I love that excuse…of course they are broken! It’s a beautiful part of the world and great for hiking – for when the legs are fixed and you can face it xx

    1. Thanks Fiona, the views are amazing. It just feels so good to be in the mountains and surrounded by the stunning natural scenery. Thanks for hosting #countrykids xx

  10. haha it sounds like another tip should be ‘feed your husband before you leave’. Wow this post is stunning! Your photos are incredible. Your daughter did so well to go so far and you’re all far braver than me going on those cable cars. I bet the feeling of riding them was amazing but I’m a little bit of a fraidy cat when it comes to being suspended in mid air. I would love to visit here. It looks so peaceful and so beautiful. Well done for embracing hiking with a 3 year old and a hungry husband. Thank you for linking to #whatevertheweather 🙂 x
    Chloe recently posted…#MYSUNDAYPHOTOMy Profile

    1. Thanks Chloe. Your right that tip should definitely be in there! Cable cars are great. It’s not too scary and you are right, the scenery is beautiful and it’s so peaceful. Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather xx

  11. Thanks for this, which reminded me of my sister being dragged up mountainsides during all my family holidays as a child. I had been wondering when to start inflicting this on our kids and your post is a helpful indicator…
    Emily recently posted…Back to the grindstoneMy Profile

    1. Well, there was a fair bit of carrying Phoebe, it has to be said! But, she did better than I expected … think the lolly helped! She blooming loves those crocs – can’t get her out of them – not exactly the best hiking shoes but seemed to do the trick. Xx

  12. We often go hiking with the children (our youngest is 3 and a half) but we never braved more than short 30 mins walks! Bribes work though, you are right: rice cakes, bisquits and apples usually make us gain a few more metres before my husband gives and carries her up 🙂
    Marta recently posted…A visit to the Roman forum with kidsMy Profile

  13. Starting a hike with a ride up the mountain definitely sounds like a winner and those views are quite something! Amazing how different places look without snow. We spend a lot of time out walking with our 3 (nearly 4) and 18 month old but it definitely went through a stage not so long back when our eldest could only go in short bursts at a time which made for very slow walking and lots of carrying. I can’t recommend a toddler soft back carrier enough – they are small to stow away but a lot lot easier than just doing shoulders or piggy back if little legs decide they can’t go any further! #MondayEscapes
    Kate , Baby Routes recently posted…Bringing Nature Indoors with Oriel Hicks at the Phoenix Craft Gallery, ScillyMy Profile

    1. Hey Kate, you are the queen of walking!! Think we may invest (or borrow) a back carrier next time we go…would make things easier – if she’ll go in it anyway – that could be another challenge!! Xx

  14. That’s awesome, you guys did a great job!! I think in my case I wouldn’t have a hungry husband, I would be the hungry wife. I get all grumpy when I’m hungry hahaha
    The alps are indeed so different without the snow!!

    Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes
    Packing my Suitcase recently posted…Trip fail: MilanMy Profile

    1. Ha – I get pretty grumpy too when hungry – so it could have gone the other way!! I love the Alps – with or without snow but at least in the summer you can take your time – in the warm air – to appreciate them!

  15. Great post and well done for succeeding to do a 7 km hike with a three year old! I was dragged up and down the Lake District when I was little so I intend to try it with Little B. You could try getting one of those special backpacks for kids to make carrying easier, although I confess they give me a sore back.

    1. Thank you! There was a fair bit of carrying. I think I’ll probably give one of those backpacks a try although the woman we met with one of those said it was very heavy – and the child wasn’t even in it! Xx

  16. Oh this did make me laugh – your hungry Yorkshireman!
    I think Mrs T did brilliantly – probably far better than I would have fared as I’m usually the one to whinge.
    I remember a couple of summers ago in Austria, we took our teenage son for a walk up the mountains, having used the chair lift to go part of the way up. Both of us started moaning until my husband pointed out that there were young children wearing Crocs doing the climb, so we were surely able to compete with them? Admonished, we carried on to the top!
    Trish – Mum’s Gone To recently posted…Mum’s gone to Dartmouth, DevonMy Profile

    1. I love your story Trish – well done for not letting that mountain defeat you! It has also made me feel a lot better that Mrs T was wearing crocs – glad she isn’t the only child who hikes in them!

    1. Thank you! That is so kind – we love her to bits! I’ve just been trying out a new, alternative to the back carriers (review to come soon) although I am very pleased to hear they work…how old are your friend’s boys? xx

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