How ar can your three year old hike?

[boysrus]

We are starting to hike with the little guys. We have taken a lot of walks, usually with 3 yo in the stroller. He has shown me, though, that he can hike 1-2 miles with relative ease, maybe needing to be carried for a few minutes. We took a 2 1/2 miles hike last week, and he did well. He needed to ride in the carrier twice, each time for ten minutes or less. Then we went to another park that had a paved flat trail, and he walked another 1/2 mile with no problem. Everything I am reading says kids his age can hike 2 or 3 miles. But, he doesnt see to be struggling with 2. So, I am wondering if I can plan an all day hike for 5-7 miles. Hike until he gets tired, eat lunch, rest, play for an our or two and then hike the other half. But, I dont want us to get stuck out somewhere and hae him not want to go on. The kid has tremendous stamina. He wouldnt be carrying anything, and we would have our baby backpack with us. But I am freaked out when even these experienced hikers are only getting 3 miles out of their 3-4 year olds. He just turned 3 at the end of June. Also, we are in Washington, so it will be at least hilly. We can stay out of extreme mountains and stay on good gravel paths though. Last ight, we walked over a mile (at least a mile and half) on a paved trail, and he and his brothers stopped at every steep dirt path that went off the trail to run up to the top(they were short in length, but pretty steep, the little guy had some trouble with a few of them, ut his brother would put his stick out and ELi would grab hold and walk the rest of the way) and then slide down. They must have covered another quarter of a mile doing those, and it was steep. He was tired, but he never needed to be carried. It was really close to bedtime too, and he held up remarkably well.
So, what does your kiddo hike?

[StillForest]

: Signing up for this thread to see responses because I'm really excited about doing some hiking with my DD who's almost 3....

[nikirj]

Hmmmm....

Mine are 2 and 4 and can do about 2 miles. The 4 year old can go about 4. I would think that with a good rest in the middle she could do more than that. I'd give the longer hike a try, you won't know until you try....

[EMZ]

My child's idea of a hike is riding in a stroller.

[lilyka]

When my dd was about 3 she could go 2 miles. The thing with kids this age is they are going along all fine and dandy and then wham! Once they are done they are done. No amount of break is going to make thier tired little feet feel better. Of course the steepness of the trail and thenical difficulty allso play into it. I went on a 7 mile hike that was pure hell and streight up. But yet I can go 10-15 miles no problem on paved flat surfaces. but that isn't really hikling. :LOL I would take it for a testrun and maybe find somewhere that has a small loop. maybe 2 or three miles and see how many laps you can take before they are beat, resting in between each lap. That way you won't get stuck in the middle of no where. Youmay also want to bring a back pack carrier just in case they all of a sudden can't go on.

[Kabes]

In Dec. we visited my aunt and uncle. My 3 year old would "walk the dogs" with my uncle everyday. They live in the foothills of some mountains. He was amazed that she could go 2 1/2 to 3 miles easily. We are not regular walkers/hikers at home! Dd has walked almost everywhere since she was able to walk. I had a stroller that I hated and didn't know much about babywearing - so she walked.

I would take her on a five mile minimum hills hike, especially with breaks. Of course she is a light little thing and I know dh & I could easily carry her out in the backpack. Well, I could have before I was 7 months preggo!

[supervee]

Wow! DS can hike for, say, 10 feet, without getting distracted by nature. There's so much to explore at the beginning of the trail! Look at this bug! Look at this leaf!

We've never made it any further sans stroller or sling.

[Ynez]

DH and I would love to go hiking again but DD (32 months) shows absolutely no interest -- unless there's a playground that we're walking to. Is she just too young? For those with kids that do hike, how do you keep them interested?

[water]

My ds (3 at the end of June also) can go 2-3 miles. We really haven't tried longer than that though, mostly because we don't want to get stuck wayyyy out somewhere and then have to deal with a 38 pound kid who won't walk and won't ride in the backpack either, LOL. That's all we are going to try for now, esp. since I am 7 months pregnant so 2-3 miles is about all I can go too right now!

[momsgotmilk4two]

My 4 yr old can go 3 miles or so if we are walking to something that intrests him like a lake or stream. My two year old can go about 10 paces and then he wants to be carried:LOL