The younger the child, the shorter the distance from home you want the trail to be. When my son was two-years-old, more than a half-hour in the Jeep to the trail-head was murder – even with toys and books and his favorite stuffie. As a four-year-old, he could handle a trip of up to an hour. You probably already have a good idea of how long your children can spend in the vehicle.There are a couple of other elements to consider about the drive. Even if your children have no problem with two or three hours in the car, long drives can cramp muscles. For infants, curvy roads like those in the mountains can lead to upset tummies. Neither situation will make for a pleasant hike.
Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.
