Hiking with children
Family hikes, pushchair-friendly trails and tips for young and older explorers
Are you planning a hiking holiday with children in Grossarltal? In the Valley of Mountain Huts, families will find plenty of ways to discover the mountain world together: from short walks and varied themed trails to hikes to serviced mountain huts.
When hiking with children, a fixed minimum or maximum age is less important than choosing a tour that suits the family’s fitness, experience and motivation. To make sure younger hikers enjoy being out and about, fun, variety and plenty of breaks are essential.
There is plenty for children to discover along the way while hiking. A fallen tree trunk becomes a balancing course, a waterfall turns into a special experience, and in the forest it is worth stopping to listen to the birds. Streams, stones, animals and small observations in nature also provide plenty of variety.
Depending on the hiking destination, families can look forward to play areas, animals or a cosy place for a shared break at or around the mountain hut. This makes not only the destination, but also the journey itself, a special part of the family outing.
These hikes will make any child's heart leap for joy:
For many families, a hike to a mountain hut is one of the most enjoyable experiences in Grossarltal. There is plenty to discover along the way, including forests, streams, animals and many lovely places to stop for a short break. Once you reach the top, a well-earned stop at a mountain hut awaits amid the mountain scenery.
The following mountain huts are particularly suitable as family-friendly destinations:
Hikes with short stages, easy trails and varied destinations are particularly suitable for children. Examples in Grossarltal include Hubalm, Ötzlsee, the Kreealmen, Berggasthof Loosbühelalm and Gerstreitalm.
Tips for more hikes with children
Mountain huts with easy-to-walk trails, places to stop for refreshments and a playground near the hut are especially suitable for families. Examples include Maurachalm, Hirschgrubenalm, Viehhausalm, Heugathalm and the Kreealmen.
More mountain huts suitable for families
Wide forest roads with only moderate inclines are particularly suitable for pushchairs. Suitable destinations in Grossarltal include Mooslehenalm, Niggeltalalm, Harbachhütte, Aigenalm-Paulhütte, Aigenalm-Mandlhütte and Filzmoosalm.
More information and tips for hiking with a pushchair
There is still plenty to experience in Grossarltal when it rains. Visit the valley museum, an easily accessible mountain hut or nearby attractions such as Liechtensteinklamm, Eisriesenwelt or the city of Salzburg, for example with a visit to Haus der Natur.
Discover more tips for bad-weather activities in Grossarltal
For shorter family outings, the hikes to Filzmoosalm, Hubalm and Ötzlsee are particularly suitable. Himmelsroute and Grossarler Sensory Path also offer plenty of variety and numerous experiences along the way.
Tips for more short and varied tours in Grossarltal
Tips for hiking with children
choose the right route
Choose a hiking destination that offers something special for children. This could be a mountain hut, a playground, a stream, a lake or a varied themed trail.
Plan a walking time that suits your children’s fitness and experience. Hiking trails can be more varied and enjoyable for children than long sections on wide forest roads. However, the exact trail conditions and level of difficulty should always be checked in the tour description.
On warm days, try to start as early as possible to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Well equipped for the hike
Suitable equipment for children includes:
- comfortable hiking shoes
- lightweight hiking clothing
- an additional warm layer
- sun protection
- a change of clothes, especially for routes along streams or near water
Take enough drinks with you. A small snack, fruit or a sweet treat can give tired hikers a welcome boost of energy.
Plan variety and breaks
Take time to notice the little things along the way. Ant hills, mushrooms, berries, small streams and animals make the route more interesting. Regular breaks also help everyone manage their energy.
Short stories, riddles, games or singing a hiking song together provide extra entertainment. After the hike, a lemonade – also known as a “Kracherl” in Grossarltal – can be a sweet ending to the day at the mountain hut.
While hiking in Grossarltal, children can also collect stamps and stickers and earn hiking badges.
Nature is the world's biggest playground. Whether on the way up to a mountain hut, a lake, or an alpine summit, there's plenty to discover. Hikes in the mountains can sometimes be tiring and boring for children until the destination comes into view. But even while you are on the way, you can play great games with the simplest of natural materials, making the hike a truly exciting experience.
Austria's Hiking Villages have collected many game ideas and instructions, which can be found on their website Austria's Hiking Villages.
Additionally, the brochure "Playful Hiking" contains many game ideas. Children can pick up the brochure at our tourist office, or we can send it to you by post before your vacation begins.
