Is five miles too far for a four year old?

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It would be quite rough terrain, fell walking - i.e. not a flat pavement. Do you think this is too far for quite a delicate, skinny four year old or should he be able to cope at this age? Also bearing in mind it will be very cold. Would you attempt this walk or is he too young - there is no real option to cut the walk short if he is struggling. Please let me know what you think.

My four year old would struggle with that. He will walk all day around a zoo but that involves lots of stopping and starting.

Does your ds walk often? How far? In what conditions?

For my (also skinny) ds, who is just 5, it would be way too far. Especially given the rough terrain. I would love to walk him to school, about 2 miles uphill most of the way, but know he wouldn't be able to make it.

too far

i think it would be a lot for a 4 yr old to manage.
unless you do it fairly regularly and he is used to it?
if not then bad idea I reckon. thing is if he does get worn out you don't have any options do you?

too far, even on the flat would be imo.

agree with others, it would be too much as a one off, but ok if used to similar length of walk, mine would but with sweets encouragement and points of interest en route

it depends on the child really. dd did haystacks (a mountain in the lakes) this June before she was 5, and she did walk a high proportion of it - dh had her on his shoulders for the rest. dd was already used to walking though.

too far, and too difficult

Too far for my very sturdy and active son, I think. Or perhaps I mean he could do it, but with a truly titanic amount of coaxing, goading, hide-and-seek, playing, song-singing etc which would make me feel like I'd walked about twice as far.

Could possibly do it with a long break in the middle (pub etc) or possibly by bike (doesn't sound like that sort of ground).

i think to far in this weather - if you have all day and can stop for picnic lunch and snacks etc maybe ok

My two would have done it at that age but iirc the cold was always the hardest thing for them to deal with, so I'd recommend lots and lots of layers and a flask!

I have heard it said that roughly one mile per year is about right. But thats probably if they build up to it. So 5 miles may be a bit much for a 4 year old if they aren't used to it (I am assuming that if you were already regularly doing 4 mile fell walks you'd be able to judge it yourself!)

choosyfloosy that sounds like the sort of walk we usually go on - there has to be a pub, endless stories are made up, the secret squirrel hides treats every now and then...its hard work for the parents!!

Thanks for the replies. He walks about 2 miles (up hill) no problems but has been known to moan walking round the corner if it is really cold. He is very delicate and still fits into a backpack but I'm not sure if I could manage it carrying him. A group of friends do this walk every year, first w/end of New Year - I may leave it till next year.

Yes, I think if he's not used to it, it might be best to build him up to it ready for next year!

Is there a pub at the end you could meet up in after the others have done the walk, so you don't miss out altogether?

He may well surprise you. A couple of years ago when Ds4 was 5 (nearly 6) we did an 18 mile sponsored walk - we are not big walkers generally but he walked essentially the whole way - had about 10-15' on his dad's shoulders but that was it.

Carrying a 4 year old on rough and possibly icy ground does not sound like a very good idea!

Get him into training. Its great when - somewhere around 5/6 in my DDs case - they can do real walks at last!

DS1 was "delicate" but we go to Scotland every whit half tem and he has been doing a 7 mile walk there since he was 4yo - this includes loch side walking and hill walking. DS2 is far more robust and has been doing the same walk since he was 3, he moans all the way and was being carried for part of the walk until he was about 5.

I'd say your DS probably can physically walk the distance, it depends how much moaning you can put up with if he decides he doesn't want to do it. DS3 will be 3 a month before we go to scotland this year and I expect he will need to be carried for part of the walk.

Can you not take a three wheeler buggy with you ?

my DD did Snowdon at 4 so no, not too far but then we go fell walking quite a lot as a family.

Both mine were skinny four year olds - DS would have done it quite happily, but at that age he was regularly walking a mile and three quarters each way to and from playgroup every day.

DD would not have made it without a very large bribe....