the west highland way with kids: 10 things to do & 10 things not to do
10 things to do
01. stay positive
try keep a positive attitude & be encouraging towards your child by praising their efforts & making the experience fun for them.
they are watching you & your attitude to see how they should react. being positive will encourage the same from them.
02. PLAN BREAKS
plan frequent breaks for resting, snacking & playtime to keep your child energised & happy.
regular breaks give your child time to rest & play while having some food & water. younger children have less stamina compared to adults & frequent breaks help maintain their energy & mood levels.
03. trail safety
teach your child basic safety rules like how to stay on the trail, not to touch or approach any wildlife & why they should wait at any road crossings.
this helps prevent accidents & ensures your child understand the potential hazards that comes with hiking.
04. adjust expectations
adjust the daily mileage & your hiking pace based on your child’s energy levels & how they are managing to keep your hike enjoyable & stress free.
this ensures a comfortable pace for your child which will help prevent any fatigue & keeps the hike manageable for them.
05. use suitable gear
96 miles is a long distance, regardless if you're an experienced hiker or not. use broken in & trusted gear for your hike.
this is not the best time to test out gear for the first time. make sure your gear is up to the standard of a long hike & you know how to use it all before you set off.
06. keep hydrated
it is essential that both you & your child drink water regularly, even when you're not thirsty, to stay hydrated & prevent dehydration.
dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue & other health issues, so staying on top of your water intake is important, especially with young children who may not notice or know the early signs.
07. ask for help
knowing your limit & when to ask for help is super important. directions, first aid or support is always available from a nearby hiker if need be.
struggling alone will always end up worse, so ask for help if you need. it is a very supportive trail & there's always someone passing if you need.
08. pack properly
ensure you pack clothing & gear for all possible weather conditions that scotland will throw at you. this includes rain gear, sun protection & warm layers.
while forecasts are available, scotland is known to be unpredictable. it is better to have it & not need it after all.
09. be prepared for emergencies
carry a well stocked first aid kit & know how to use it.
knowing the locations of any points where help can be accessed along the trail is essential to keeping you & your child safe.
10. research
when hiking or camping with a young child it is crucial to know what to expect. the west highland way isn't a trail to be 'winged' so prepare as much as possible to ensure the best & safest time.
read blogs, forums, books, watch youtube videos etc to gather as much information as possible beforehand on what to expect & how to plan.
10 things not to do
01. overpack
avoid carrying unnecessary items to keep your backpack lightweight & manageable. focus on bringing essentials & versatile items.
carrying too much weight can lead to fatigue, slow you down & increase the risk of injuries. it will also make the hike more challenging & somewhat less enjoyable.
02. rush
don’t push your child to walk faster or further than they are comfortable with or capable of doing. let them set the pace & take the breaks they need.
rushing & pushing too far can lead to fatigue, resentment & a negative experience from your child.
03. ignore fatigue
don’t ignore signs of tiredness or discomfort in your child. take more breaks or adjust the pace as needed to prevent exhaustion or injury.
ignoring signs of fatigue can lead to exhaustion, injuries & long term issues.
04. pack last minute
pack & prepare in advance to ensure you have all the necessary gear & equipment needed for a safe & comfortable hike.
last minute packing can lead to essentials being forgotten or unnecessary items being packed which adds to unnecessary weight & stress.
05. overdo daily miles
planning ambitious daily distances, multiple days in a row, can lead to fatigue & reduce the enjoyment of the hike for your child.
setting realistic, shorter daily goals allows your child to remain enthusiastic & feel capable of completing the hike without unnecessary pressure or the stress.
06. ignore blisters
make sure both you & your child have well fitting, broken in, comfortable footwear & socks to prevent blisters.
blisters can cause discomfort & affect your ability to continue hiking. preventative care when hot spots are felt stops blisters becoming an issue.
07. ignore trail ETIQUETTE
don’t ignore trail etiquette. teach your child to respect other hikers & the natural environment by staying on trails, not disturbing wildlife & not littering.
following trail etiquette makes for a pleasant experience for everyone, respect nature & minimises the environmental impact.
08. underestimate the trail
don’t underestimate the physical demands of the trail. research & prepare in advance for the terrain, the weather & the distances.
proper preparation in advance allows a safer & more enjoyable hike for both you & your child. this will help manage expectations & plan better.
09. FORGET SUN PROTECTION
even it it's not forecast for sun don’t forget to pack sunscreen, hats or sunglasses, even on cloudy days, to keep your child's skin protected from extended hours in uv rays.
even in coudy weather, uv rays can cause sunburn & skin damage, especially to younger, sensitive skin.
10. forget to have fun
you've picked an incredible trail to do with your child & it's meant to be enjoyed.
try not to get caught up stressing over little things & don't forget the reasons why you're there.
daily trail notes, planning guide, gear list
more west highland way information here