Do you have preschoolers or young children in the house and want to get them out hiking? Not sure what family-friendly hikes are out there?
It’s important to choose the right trail so that children and parents can enjoy the experience. There’s nothing more frustrating than tacking a trail that leaves little legs too tired and parents hauling around and extra 40 pounds of kids and gear!
When choosing my Top 5 Family Friendly Hikes in Greater Vancouver I was looking for hikes that met the following criteria:
1. Were actual hikes! – I wanted to challenge our bodies with elevation, climbing, terrain, and obstacles. I wasn’t looking for a “walk in the park”
2. Had a variety of terrain – Variety is the spice of life, especially when you’re a pre-schooler with a short attention span. So I chose to focus on hikes that had a combination of wide trails, boardwalks, bridges, stairs, roots, and narrow areas to navigate. This keeps the kids interested and engaged in the process.
3. Had a point of interest. My top three hikes had a point of interest for the kids to “reach” or accomplish. I enjoy a good view and so do my little people.
4. Are they family friendly? There’s nothing more frustrating than being on an adult trail and having yourself or your little people in the way of athletes running by!
Top 5 Family Friendly Hikes in Greater Vancouver
1. Lighthouse Park – This park was an unexpected surprise! We thought we were there to discover a lighthouse but came across so much more! Beaches, forests, historical sights, check, check, check!
2. Quarry Rock – This is a hike. You’ll sweat and have to take breaks if you’re with little people… and maybe even have to give them a piggy back for a minute or two. But after 45 minutes of making your way to the top, the view is unforgettable and worth every single step!
3. Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge – This is an excellent park for those seeking a neat experience of crossing a suspension bridge as well as hiking on a variety of terrain. My kids loved playing in the river, taking turns leading and racing up the stairs. Oh, and boy did they sleep that night!
4. Malcolm Knapp Reforestation Park – This park came on recommendation to me by a group of Mom’s in Langley and I had never heard of it. It was an AMAZING find with beautiful trails meandering through the protected forests. We got a bit lost, but had fun along the way!
5. Tynehead Park – This one was a more sentimental park for me to have on the list. It didn’t meet ALL the criteria (the terrain isn’t as varied as the others and it’s more entry level when it comes to hiking (it’s 100% stroller friendly). However this park was one that I grew up in and has so many inspirational points of interest and great memories that I figured it deserved a place on my list of Top Hikes for families!
Click here for the Top 7 Family Friendly Hikes in the Fraser Valley
Happy Trails!
Jami
Thanks for the new ideas. Have you tried the Fort to Fort trail and the Houston trail in Fort Langley? Those are also great with kids!
We did the Lynn Valley hike a few weeks back and the kids all loved it! I’ll have to check out these other hikes. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Bonnie! Congrats on being nominated as one of the top 30 bloggers in YVR. Good luck!
Jami keep doing what you’re doing PLEASE! My son and I find this the most useful blog so we’re always referring to it. Happy trails!
Dan
Hi Dan, Thank you so much for the kind words, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it! Please feel free to connect with me on social media and share your ideas and what you’d like to see! I’m working hard to build out as much content for you to explore as possible!!!
Jaimi – i came across your blog and love it! i look forward to reading some more of your adventures! Me and the boys are creating our own travel blog aswell for family friendly travel! would love to connect with you sometime on one of your adventures!