Encouraging Children to Hillwalk

I'm feeling very proud of my 4 year old son - he's climbed his first hill under his own steam and really seemed to enjoy himself.

We went up Auchineden Hill near Glasgow and from the top there are magnificent views back towards the City and North towards Loch Lomond and the Highlands. He was really up for it and very excited about what he could see. There was also a real sense of achievement when he reached the trig. point on the top.

As a parent, I find it a difficult balance between encouraging him to try things while not forcing him to do things that really only interest me. Fortunately he enjoyed himself. I'll need to get my thinking cap on to find some more walks he can do - any suggestions?

Comments

[Dave Jennings]

Hi there,

What an interesting blog site! I'm in the south side of Glasgow, and have been toying with the idea of taking myself and my two young sons ( 9 & 6 ) for some introductory hill walks - whether full on munro bagging is read for su yet is another matter!

Yet it's a subject I can't find anything out about - no idea where to start, what might be a suitable site to take our first adventure, etc.

Are there any resources anywhere you'd be decent enough to point me to, as it really is something we're more and more interested in.

Thanks in advance - hope to hear back from you sometime.

Best regards,

Dave.

[ALS]

Dundee4bairns.co.uk (http://www.dundee4bairns.co.uk/) has some ideas and advice on walking with children in Tayside. There is an advice page at http://dundee4bairns.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=39

(sorry ne friendly URLs yet)

and a list of walks at
http://dundee4bairns.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=78

Dundee is quite a good area for introducing children to hillwalking as there are a number of hills close to the city that are small enough for young children but with the essential sense of adventure and achievment
The site is aimed at pre-school children and their parents.