Hiking with children
family hikes & tips
Planning a hiking holiday with children here with us in Grossarltal? The Valley of Mountain Huts offers numerous family-friendly hiking trails, perfect for outings with kids. There's no minimum or maximum age for hiking, but to keep the little ones happy, fun and variety are essential.
Hiking with children is full of discoveries. On the way to the mountain hut, there are plenty of great play opportunities for young hikers. Balance on a tree trunk, marvel at waterfalls, or simply listen to birds and other forest animals. Upon reaching the hut, intrepid hikers are often greeted by fantastic playgrounds, and there are usually cats, rabbits, goats, and other animals to pet.
These hikes will make any child's heart leap for joy:
- Breitenebenalm
- Reitalm
- Heugathalm
- Grossarl “Path of the Senses”
- Further touring tips for the whole family
Tips for hiking with children:
- Choose the right route: Pick a "special" hiking destination. Something exciting should await the kids at the end, like a playground. Grossarltal offers a great selection.
- Keep walking times manageable.
- Hiking trails are always more exciting than forest roads.
- Proper equipment for children: Comfortable hiking shoes, lightweight and warm hiking clothes, sun protection, change of clothes (in case they get wet for whatever reason).
- Start hiking early to avoid the heat.
- Bring plenty of drinks. Children get thirsty even before reaching the first hut.
- Snacks or a bit of fruit can reenergize tired hikers.
- Marvel at the little things along the way: anthills, mushrooms, berries, streams, animals.
- Take enough breaks.
- Have little stories ready for your children, or maybe even sing a hiking song.
- Of course, reward your children with a glass of soda at the mountain hut.
- Children can also collect achievement stamps and earn hiking badges or pins.
Stamps are available at practically all the huts and summits in Grossarltal. Hikers young and old can collect them in their stamp pass. At the end of your holiday, visit us at the tourist office to see how many points you've accumulated. Depending on your points, you can then purchase a souvenir hiking pin.
Tip: Your points don't expire, so you can keep collecting on each hiking holiday in Grossarltal until you've earned all the hiking pins.
Learn more about hiking stamps and pins here.
The fun sticker booklet makes hiking even more enjoyable. What do hill farmers do in winter? What animals live on the farm and in the forest? How many liters of milk are needed to make a kilogram of butter?
Find all answers and many more questions in the sticker booklet "Come with us to the Alm." Children can pick up the booklet for free at the Grossarltal tourist office and will be able to collect stickers from participating mountain huts.
More information about the sticker booklet here.
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.
