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Original poster

Have you climbed a uk mountain with your primary school aged dc?

99 replies

InterstellarDrifter · 05/01/2020 09:30

It’s one of the things I want to do this year. Can you tell me which mountain please and how it went?

OP posts:
Namethecat · 05/01/2020 09:35

Where are you based, and what do you class as a mountain ?
Scafell in the Lake district is a mountain, Snowdonia in Wales, Ben Nevis in Scotland.
The UK has mountains but not lots. It has more large hills . You could try Cat bells in the Lake district which is classed as a good family one.

WingBingo · 05/01/2020 09:35

A friend did Snowdon with her 5 year old DD.

What’s more impressive is she was 6 months pregnant!

She bribed her DD up there with sweets.

capercaillie · 05/01/2020 09:38

Yes lots. You need to pick a small interesting one to start - Cat Bells, Loughrigg, Wansfell Lots in Wales. Ideally find another family to go with - makes it much easier. also make sure you have a map and know how to use it.

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Original poster
InterstellarDrifter · 05/01/2020 09:41

Maybe not Snowdon quite yet! I’ll save that for a couple of years.
Ideally, I’m looking for somewhere ‘classed’ as a mountain, if there is such a thing with some stunning views but also some kind of path to follow so we don’t get lost.

OP posts:
SeagullOnTheWind · 05/01/2020 09:41

Penyfan in the Brecon Beacons. Took a large party of varying ages kids and their families up there.

WoWsers16 · 05/01/2020 09:43

We did Helvellyn in the lakes with my 3 year old and 6 year old :) was great! We have also done the 3 peaks over 2 days when my boys were 5 and 7 great to get them out walking and enjoying it!! We had lots of snacks! X

Digestive28 · 05/01/2020 09:44

I would second going with another family, kids seem to encourage each other along whereas on their own often a lot more complaining!

WoWsers16 · 05/01/2020 09:44

We've also done Snowdon x

AgathaVanHelsing · 05/01/2020 09:48

Dovedale in Derbyshire

Madhairday · 05/01/2020 09:48

We did Great Rigg/Wansfell/Loughrigg etc with a 6 and 3 year old.

My DD did Snowdon at 7
Scafell/scafell pike at 8
Plus many more around Wales/Lake District. It's possible but it does depend on the child. DD has always been up for walking and mountain climbing but Ds not so much.

Hellohah · 05/01/2020 09:49

Did Snowdon first when DS was at primary, then Ben Nevis and Scafell.

Snowdon is actually really lovely and not too difficult. DS found Ben Nevis the toughest... It's harder coming down though. Scafell he loved because there is a lot of rocks for scrambling at the top which made it more interesting for him BUT I don't think he would have done it had we not done the other 2 first (if that makes sense) because it's pretty scary. A lot of people we passed turned round and didn't make it to the top.

homemadecommunistrussia · 05/01/2020 09:51

Snowdon is manageable and you can stop at the cafe at the top and take the train down.

Spotty528 · 05/01/2020 09:53

DS did Snowdon when he was 8-fantastic experience for him, he was up it like a mountain goat.

Whichever mountain you do take loads of snacks, water, appropriate clothing and check the weather report.

ClappyFlappy · 05/01/2020 09:55

I haven’t but my husband has done quite a few with our kids. Did. Ben Nevis a few months ago when our youngest was 10.

Cismyfatarse1 · 05/01/2020 09:55

Ben Lomond.

Roomba · 05/01/2020 09:55

Many times, we live near the Lake District and the rest of our family are in the Peak District. I think the youngest climb was DS1 going up the Old Man (Coniston) or possibly Ingleborough at about age 4?

We've also done Whernside, (not steep going up so great for kids), Pen y Ghent, Helvellyn, Scafell Kinder Scout (many many times as near Gran's House), Bleaklow and I'm sure a few more. The three peaks (Ingleborough, Pen y Ghent and Whernside) are very doable for kids and there are paths to stick to.

This makes it sound like we're off up a different mountain every day - not at all, I have to cajole the kids a couple of times a year to get out in the fresh air! Just lucky living where we do as not far to go to find a mountain.

Lipperfromchipper · 05/01/2020 09:56

Yes, My dc are 4 and 6 and we have done a few mountain hikes in the U.K. Lake District and some here at home in Ireland!

Kelsoooo · 05/01/2020 09:56

DH climbed Snowdon our DDs 9 and 6 at the time.

BrightonBB · 05/01/2020 09:57

Which area are you in?

wishing4sun · 05/01/2020 09:57

My son DS18 did lots of mountain climbing with his aunt and grandad between the ages of 7 to 10 ish he loved it they did the 3 peaks and some in Ireland they are some of his best memories.

Ohyesiam · 05/01/2020 09:57

Ben Nevis, it was stunning. As basing to see the landscape change from lush to lunar as we ascended.

Snowdon is good because the train can bring you down!

mamalovebird · 05/01/2020 09:58

I've done Snowdon with a 6 & 9 year old - although we only got 2/3 of the way up and had to abandon due to the bad weather. Will be trying again this year.

We also got half way up Ben Nevis the prior year.

We regularly do 10k walks though so the kids are used to it. Snacks and stops help. Also, the correct clothing/equipment. The promise of bbq'd sausages got them up Ben Nevis Grin

MsJaneAusten · 05/01/2020 09:59

How old are the kids and do you already do much walking?

There are loads of ‘peaks’ in the Lake District, some very accessible walks with incredible views (Orrest Head, Tarn Hows), and several mountains. Which you choose would depend on experience/fitness.

Heatingson · 05/01/2020 10:01

We did snowdon with our 3,8 and 10yr olds this year. The 3yr old required some carrying on the way up but ran down and it was a breeze for the other two. Planning on doing Ben Nevis and Scafell this year. I was taken up Mountains a plenty as a child largely bribed by mini mars bars.

BackforGood · 05/01/2020 10:03

Yes, several, but, as MsJaneAusten suggests, 'Primary aged' is a BIG range. We are also experienced walkers, and our dc all had walking boots and were used t walking. We were also experienced enough to know when to turn back and to not make "climbing a mountain" the single goal of any trip, but would make judgements throughout the holiday / weekend and even the day.