Naomie’s Trans Canada Trail: Family Hikes
Tips and tricks for a pleasant hike with young children
Written by Naomie Veillette
During this wonderful season, you can really feel nature calling! We want to enjoy nature as a family, but when and how can sometimes seem complicated.
I visited the Pégase Mauricie and Foulée Mauricienne sections of the Trans Canada Trail, and wanted to share some practical tips for a great hiking experience with children.
Step 1: Preparation is key to a successful outing
Taking the time to prepare for your outing is essential. I start by choosing the trail I want to explore. When heading out with young children, my best advice is to choose places with some “wow” sights, such as a waterfall, the edge of a lake, a small accessible peak or even caves that can all be magical during your adventure!
I also like to involve the children in the preparation. They can prepare a special snack or add a small, lightweight toy to their bag to play with during breaks. I look at the map with them (on paper or on the app) to show them our starting point and how far we’d like to go. You can check out Trans Canada Trail’s interactive map, which is really good! And don’t forget to check the trail conditions before you leave.
Photo credit: Naomie Veillette
Step 2: Bring essential equipment
The most important consideration is to be comfortable in your shoes or hiking boots. For children, in summer, shoes that are as flexible as possible are recommended, with soft soles and low ankle support. This allows the ligaments, muscles and tendons to work and strengthen.
Next, we all know that we can never have enough snacks for our kids! Bring a variety of nutritious snacks (dried fruit, bars, nuts, etc.) and never underestimate the amount of water you need to bring. Drinking plenty of water prevents many mishaps.
It’s important to always have sunscreen and insect repellent. Choose mineral sunscreen and DEET-free insect repellent for children 2 years of age and under.
You’ll also want to have the right clothing. I recommend light but long clothing to reduce the risk of sunburn and insect bites, including ticks. Linen, polyester and merino wool are all good examples of fabrics that allow your skin to breathe while simultaneously protecting it.
Finally, always carry a well-stocked first aid kit. Include bandages, an emergency blanket, tick tweezers, sterile gauze, and so on. Minor and major injuries can happen quickly when you’re out on an adventure, so it’s better to be prepared!
Photo credit: Naomie Veillette
Step 3: Keep the adventure fun
Every hike, no matter how short, deserves to be a great adventure! We want our kids to experience success and enjoy quality family time.
Start with simple games: search and find – the first one to find an object of colour X, or even riddles to make the time pass more quickly while walking.
If your children are younger, you can transform nature into an imaginary world. For example, you can imagine being superheroes! You can jump over roots, walk like mice to the next marker, go on a mission to save your child’s favourite character, and so on. You’ll see – it’ll be fun for you too!
Photo credit: Naomie Veillette
Step 4: Motivation and managing expectations
When hiking with children, you need to adjust your expectations a little, as the pace will certainly be slower.
Respect your child’s pace while motivating them. And remember to celebrate small victories: reaching a viewpoint, walking one kilometre or successfully climbing a steep hill. I recommend aiming for shorter distances at first and gradually increasing the distance according to the child’s interest.
The last point in managing expectations is to be prepared to turn back if necessary. Remember that the important point is having a positive experience and enjoying yourselves, not performance! Ultimately, hiking with children is above all about sharing a simple and joyful moment in nature.
Check out Trans Canada Trail’s interactive map to find which section is closest to you and plan your first outing.
Remember: every outing is an adventure, and even the shortest ones count!
Naomie Veillette is a 29-year-old entrepreneur, specialized educator, babywearing instructor and birth companion. She is dedicated to empowering women to embrace motherhood on their own terms and take meaningful steps towards their biggest dreams. A mother of two, she continues to pursue her passion for mountain hiking with her children. Together, they’ve climbed over 200 peaks across four countries.
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Main photo credit: Naomie Veillette
