Organising a winter walk with the family

During such a crisp and cool time of year as winter, it’s the perfect opportunity to head into the outdoors and create some unique memories. Maybe the brisk weather has you looking forward to a walk with the whole family around some picturesque parts of the country?

When organising a walk with the family, it’s important to think about a range of factors to ensure everything goes smoothly and enjoyably for everyone involved, from picking the right location, to bringing the right adventure food, so here’s some advice to help you do just that!

Keeping energy up on the walk

When you’re walking outside in the cold, it’s important to keep your strength up and replace the energy that you’re burning while on the move. This is especially the case when you consider that our bodies have to work a bit harder to keep us warm in the cold!

Having a hearty breakfast as a family before the walk is great for starting off on the right foot, but it’s important to bring food along and keep that momentum going. While you don’t want to stop and sit still for too long, a well-timed refuelling break for a warm meal could be just what the family need to recharge.

Consider foods that are easy to eat while on the move, like energy bars, and dried fruit or nuts. Bringing along some dark chocolate could make a great on-the-go treat too, especially for the younger ones, or the sweet-toothed walker.

If you’re out for a longer walk, consider bringing meal pouches that only need a little hot water before they’re ready to eat and ready to warm you up. which cuts waiting down to a minimum, and lets you get back on the go almost as soon as your water has boiled.

For a more decadent treat while you’re sitting and refuelling, you might even consider bringing a pre-prepared flask of hot chocolate to sip while you’re waiting for meals to be ready!

Wrapping up and walking warmly

Because our bodies work a bit harder to keep us warm when we’re exposed to the cold, it’s important to wrap up as much as possible to minimise that. This is especially the case for any little ones you’ve brought along for the family trek, as young children aren’t as good at regulating their temperatures as older children and adults are.

When thinking about the right attire for young children, make sure you consider:

• Socks and shoes
• Gloves and hats
• Padded jackets

With the wrong shoes and socks, water from puddles or melting snow might seep in, and wet, cold feet can be a bit of a risk in the winter. Make sure the family have weatherproof boots with thick soles. Boots with good ankle support can be helpful for young kids who haven’t been out and about in certain winter terrain yet, while merino wool socks will be fantastic for keeping feet warm and dry.

Padded gloves with a thick outer layer can ensure no numb, stiff fingers, a hat that covers the ears keeps the head warm, while a padded jacket finishes off the ensemble and traps in body heat.

Making sure you start off a winter walk with the whole family comfortably wrapped up will be a fantastic way to ensure everyone has a memorable, enjoyable time.

Scenic locations

One of the final key things to think about for a family outing is where you’ll go to have a walk together. The right location can really help to make a family trip out that much more memorable, especially in the calm and bracing winter chill.

Do a little digging into local walking routes or nearby parks. It might even be that a local organisation is putting together a walking event that other families will be attending, turning a family walk into a more communal, festive experience.

You might instead look at travelling to popular destinations around the country that people enjoy experiencing year-round. For example, you might:

• Head into the Lake District and follow a trail in Grizedale Forest.
• Head to Haworth Moors in Yorkshire to walk in the footsteps of the Brontë sisters
• Head into the north of Cumbria to experience the Wordsworth walk in the poet’s hometown of Cockermouth

The possibilities open to your family for a memorable and enjoyable walk are endless no matter where you go in the country. Do a little research to find somewhere that looks perfect for you, spend a little time planning and preparing in advance, and your family are sure to have a great time wherever it is.