Adventure is for everyone, no matter how young. That’s the message behind a new book co-written by Instagrammer Alison Humphreys. She says getting kids on board with hiking is easier if you involve them in the planning process and choose locations that appeal to the younger set.
In her new book, 50 hikes with Kids Virginia and Maryland: With Delaware, West Virginia, and Washington DC, all of the suggested hikes are under five miles and have an elevation gain of 900 feet or less. Each outing includes tips to make it enjoyable for kiddos—and easier on parents—including nature scavenger hunts, fun attractions, easy bathroom access and nearby places to grab a bite when mini-hikers get hangry.
These are the things that can make stepping away from screens and into the outdoors more palatable for youngsters, she says. “You get about a half mile in and get away from all these other distractions and the kids start having fun. I think a lot of it just comes down to how it’s presented.”
She should know. The mother of four, who lives in Baltimore County, Maryland, has been homeschooling and exploring with her children for nearly 15 years. Humphreys, who is also a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice and a professor of psychology at Howard Community College and several online universities, minored in elementary education, studying the education system and how it is set up.
“Because I was homeschooling—and having a background and understanding of how kids work, especially little boys—we took lots of breaks. I knew my kids would do best if we did a little learning, and then, for our breaks, we went outside. Our kids loved it. I really saw them thriving by being outdoors more.”
Instagram is also how co-author Wendy Gorton, creator of the 50 Hikes with Kids series, found Humphreys. Gorton had already written several guides on hikes in other states and was looking for East Coast collaborators to help complete the series. Humphreys took to the road—and woods—with all four kids in tow, to research routes and trails for the book. Here are three of her favorite places to hike with kids in the Commonwealth:
Massie Gap and Wilburn Ridge Loop in Grayson Highlands State Park, Wilson, VA
Why Kids Love It: This hike near the North Carolina border offers an easier route with great payback in the form of epic views. “There is a little bit of elevation,” Humphreys says, “but it’s so beautiful, especially in the fall. You go up a little bit and you can see out to the other mountains and multiple colored trees. It’s breathtaking.” Plus, you’re likely to see feral ponies while hiking.
Humphreys says her kids also think it’s cool that they can walk parts of the Appalachian Trail, which interweaves into the route. “If you’re not an avid hiker you might think, I’d never be able to walk the Appalachian Trail,” says the author, “and you walk along it for a half mile and [realize], OK, I might not want to take on a huge project like that, but I could do little bits of it. I think that’s a neat thing for everyone’s experience. My kids were really fascinated by it.”
Blue Ridge Tunnel in Afton, VA
Why Kids Love It: Youngsters can hike through the 4,000-plus-foot-long tunnel that runs through Afton Mountain, west of Charlottesville. “It’s such a cool place because it’s pitch-black inside,” she says. “I don’t know any kid who doesn’t think that’s the coolest thing ever. We went super slow and saw it all—salamanders, toads, bats, crayfish, turtles. My kids loved it because they all got their own flashlight.”
The hike is more of a nature walk, Humphreys says. It’s about three miles, mostly paved (even stroller-friendly) and completely flat out and back. She says seeing animals, or learning to spot traces of them, helps keep kids engaged and having fun.
Cascades Falls Trail in Pembroke, VA
Why Kids Love It: This roughly five-mile loop is a more challenging hike for kids, but the scenery keeps them engaged. And there’s a prize in the form of a waterfall. “It’s just gorgeous,” Humphreys says. “You walk along the creek and they have all these beautiful stone steps and a couple of bridges you get to walk across. At the end you get to the actual Cascade Falls, which is about 60 to 70 feet (high) and it’s surrounded by these tall cliff walls.” She says autumn is a great time to go because this woodsy trail is bursting with color.
Humphreys hopes to get started on her second book soon. It will be focused on encouraging parents to help children learn through experiences and natured–and become free thinkers. She and her husband are in the process of starting a non-profit organization to help more children and families enjoy time in the outdoors.