How Family Hiking Transformed Our Year – Lessons, Memories & More from 2024

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

If someone had told me a year ago that trudging through mud with children in tow would become one of the best things to ever happen to us as a family, I’d have probably laughed. Mud? On purpose? Yeh right! But here we are, lacing up our boots nearly every weekend, and honestly? It’s been life-changing for us.

Hiking wasn’t even on our radar until recently. Sure, we’d mentioned several times before that we’d like to start walking, but we just never made it past that first walk! Life was busy – school runs, work, after-school clubs – it felt like we were constantly chasing time. Then one June day, miserable and wet as it was, I suggested we should get outside – If we wait for the good weather, we’ll never go anywhere – I’d finally decided enough was enough, no more excuses, walking would do us all good – and not a trip around the block, oh no, a proper walk. Maps, snacks, and everything. And just like that, our hiking journey began.

The Unexpected Magic of Family Walks

It turns out, heading into the great outdoors does something to you. For starters, there’s no Wi-Fi in the woods (the horror!), so we actually had to, you know, talk to each other. And you know what? We loved it. Without the distractions of screens, we found ourselves laughing, chatting about everything under the sun, and sharing moments we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Then there’s the sheer joy of discovering places we’d never think to visit. I mean, who knew there was a lovely woodland walk just a 10-minute drive from our house? Or that the wonderful pub near my parents was home to 2 stunning river walks? Or that there was a peat-bog just 20 minutes from us in the heart of Shropshire? Every walk feels like a mini-adventure, and the children have really honed their geocaching skills as we’ve racked up the miles too.

The Skills We’ve Built Along the Way

Here’s where hiking became a total game-changer: it’s not just about getting outside. It’s about everything else we’ve learned along the way. Things I hadn’t dreamed about discovering!

• Teamwork: Navigating a route together means we’ve all had to listen to each other (even when someone insists the path is definitely that way and it’s, er, not). The children are learning to work as a team and help each other out when someone needs a hand climbing or just to help pass each other food or water, so we don’t have to keep taking our bags off.
• Confidence: Watching my eldest son confidently take charge of the map or hearing my youngest son shout, “We’ve done it!” at the top of The Wrekin? Priceless. They’re building resilience, independence, and self-belief without even realising it.
• Life Skills: Map reading, problem-solving, and even a bit of negotiation (“If we make it to the top, can we have some Kendal mint cake?”) are all part of the experience. And let’s not forget the physical benefits – my fitness is definitely better than it was before we started all this: parents and children alike benefit from getting outside in so many ways, physically and mentally!

Why It’s More Than Just Walking

Hiking has given us so much more than just a bit of fresh air. It’s become our thing. The thing we all look forward to each weekend, where we put the chaos of everyday life on pause and just be together.

It’s also helped us appreciate the little things – like the way the sun filters through the trees in the morning, or the sound of a stream bubbling along. These moments might seem small, but they’re the ones that stick with you.

And honestly? The mud doesn’t even bother me anymore (okay, maybe just a little). 😅

Ready to Try It?

If you’ve been thinking about giving hiking a go, I can’t recommend it enough. Start small – find a local trail, pack some snacks, and just see where the path takes you. Don’t worry about having all the right gear or knowing the perfect route either; half the fun is figuring it out as you go. If you are looking for advice on gear, or how to get started, especially when you’re on a budget (that’s us!), then I suggest you read this post on hiking on a budget with children, it’s full of ideas on how to keep those costs down.

Trust me, you won’t regret it. Anytime spent with your children is time not wasted, and it’s even better when that time is spent outside! So, here’s to more adventures, more memories, and maybe even a few more hills. See you out there!

What’s been your favourite family adventure? Let me know in the comments – I’m always looking for new places to explore!