Walking with 5 years old

[isitcrazyzzz]

We've done some good walking prior to DS was born and want to resume this good pleasure during weekends with DS.

He's 5 years old and a good walker on a day-to-day basis. Not been doing much serious walking though, only probably once a year during the summer holiday when we were abroad near mountains.

We've been trying to find some means to determine any walkable routes with a 5 years old, but without much success.

Any recommendation for information sources where we can find some tips on proper suggestions for walking routes of this type. Especially we don't want to get lost/stuck anywhere with a little one.

Anyone who has experience of this type?

[CloudCaptain]

Well, it depends where you are for route recommendations.
I take my 2yo and 4yo out for walks in the Peak District often (we live nearby).
Max distance would be about 6km on my own. If dh is with us we could go further. They sometimes need a shoulder carry.
I take a snack and be prepared for dawdling over exciting pinewood finds or wanting to pick up random sticks.
Mine both like a good walk. I find a circular route which starts uphill and finishes downhill is best.
Decent walking shoes or boots are essential.

[ScrubTheDecks]

Mine always preferred a shirt, steepish uphill walk to a definable summit to a long flat walk, as it felt more like an adventure than a walk. Added drama made it easier, a stream to cross, a tarn to paddle in, take a kelly kettle and make a hot drink, cuppa soup or a bacon sandwich.

We still had to do the occasional piggy back or shoulder carry though.

What area of the country are you in?

[Ricekrispie22]

I was able to enjoy a lot of walking with my young DC. Walking along canal tow paths is a really good idea. Firstly, they're flat and pretty even underfoot. We rarely encountered any hills. Secondly, there's lots for little ones to look at. My dc loved watching the boats in the locks and sometimes they even got to help open and close the locks (don't worry, it's perfectly safe). Also, you never have to walk very far before coming across a canal-side pub, which is very handy for toilet and drink breaks. Lastly, it's very difficult to get lost. Even I never got lost, and that's saying something!
There are plenty of websites and books which give ideas for picturesque tow path walks of varying lengths.

[Ricekrispie22]

Oh.... and as my DC learned to write, they even started making lists of all the canal boat names that we saw!

[PaulMorel]

Croton Gorge Park would be great. Aside from it's easy to hike, It has also incredible views of the dam and water rushing over the spillway.