Our friends on the coasts ride the wild surf, but here in Colorado, we "bag peaks." My husband, Mike, and I have been hiking the Rockies with our four kids from the time our oldest, now age 22, was tucked into a baby carrier.
The mountains of our home state offer plenty of challenging terrain, but we've discovered that you don't have to conquer the heights to experience that top-of-the-world feeling. In fact, with a bit of planning, a hike of just about any difficulty level, from a gentle stroll in the flats to a strenuous climb, can be an ideal family outing -- allowing for lots of time together, fostering fitness, and inspiring a love of nature all at once. And, unlike many other outdoor pastimes, hiking requires very little gear and costs next to nothing.
The main challenge: making sure that a walk in the woods doesn't turn into a forced march. On our backcountry wanderings, we've learned some hard-won lessons about how to keep children happy and engaged as they tackle a trail. So before your family takes a hike, pick up a few pointers for making it a success.
Family Getaways
Seek out hikes with special payoffs. Pick a trail with personality, and an ordinary walk in the woods becomes an adventure. Guidebooks and staffers at park visitors' centers can help you find routes with fun features: a log bridge to cross, a boulder field to scramble up, or a waterfall to admire. A recent outing near our home took us through misty tree canopies along a babbling brook -- like a scene from Lord of the Rings, according to my kids. Before the hike, we like to read guidebook descriptions aloud, which give the kids a sense of anticipation about the trail's highlights."
Stick to well-traveled trails. Bushwhacking is no fun with tots in tow, so make sure the hiking trail you choose is clearly marked and frequently traveled. If you're selecting a walk from a guidebook, it's worth checking with local park rangers or hiking clubs to make sure the trail's still being well maintained. Once you're on your way, make it a game to keep track of who's the first to spot the next trail sign or paint blaze. The hiker with the most first sightings gets a small prize at the end of the walk. This is a great motivator and turns the walk into a treasure hunt. 
Pay attention to elevation gain and distance.
When selecting a trail, consider rise over run: how many feet will you climb over how many miles? The steeper the grade, the more intense the aerobic workout will be. If your family is ready for an uphill rather than a flat walk, start with one on the gentle side, then work your way up to steeper climbs. You may find that the goal-oriented pursuit of bagging peaks (even if they're really just your local hills) appeals to your kids. Don't be surprised if they beat you to the top!
Spin a tale on the trail.
Single-track hiking trails can make conversations difficult. To pass the time and keep the line tight, try progressive storytelling. The first person in the line begins a made-up story. After a minute, the second continues the tale, and the storytelling moves down the line until it reaches the last person, who then steps to the front and keeps the story going. Like the trail in front of you, the story will take entertaining and often unexpected twists and turns.
