When Can Babies Go Hiking? The Best Info You Need in 2025

Last Updated on 19 June 2025

The great outdoors beckons! And as a new parent, you’re probably wondering when can babies go hiking? But before you strap on those hiking boots and pack the nappy bag, there are important safety considerations and developmental milestones to understand.

Whether you’re dreaming of gentle woodland walks or more adventurous mountain trails, knowing when and how to introduce your baby to hiking will ensure both safety and enjoyment for the whole family.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hiking with babies, from the earliest age recommendations to essential gear that’ll make your outdoor adventures memorable for all the right reasons.

Important: Before you start planning any outdoor adventures with your baby, always consult with your healthcare professional first. Every baby develops at their own pace, and the following information is what worked for us. Bear in mind that it might not be suitable for your situation. Your GP or health visitor can provide personalised guidance based on your baby’s specific health and development needs.

Read more: Hiking with Children: The Best Guide for Parents in 2025
Read more: The Best Hiking Gear for Kids of All Ages in 2025

When Can Babies Go Hiking?

When can babies go hiking was probably the most googled phrase on my phone during those first few months as a new parent. My partner and I were outdoorsy types before our eldest arrived, and I wanted to know how we could include her in our outdoor adventures.

However, figuring out baby hiking age guidelines isn’t as straightforward as you might think. The question of when can babies go hiking doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer, but some solid information helped me navigate those early months.

According to 2025 research from the Journal of Environmental Psychology, babies’ exposure to outdoor environments reduces stress levels and boosts sleep while lowering mothers’ cortisol levels.

Newborn to 6 Weeks: Keep It Simple

During those first six weeks, I was barely keeping my eyes open, let alone thinking about hiking with babies UK style. This period is all about recovery and bonding. Your newborn’s immune system is still developing, and honestly, you’re probably not ready for outdoor adventures either. However, you’re not completely restricted during this time.

I used to take my children on walks when they were small in a baby sling, which not only helped them with sleeping, but also meant I was getting out of the house. These gentle walks were a lifesaver for my mental health during those intense early weeks. Pretty much from birth, I had mine in a sling. I found the gentle rocking motion when walking would always send mine to sleep, which was great during their nap times.

We’ve always used the Ergobaby carrier and have found it to be incredibly comfortable for us to wear, especially if you’re going for extended walks. I also liked that we could still use it as a baby back carrier once they were too big to carry on the front.

6 Weeks to 10 Months: Extending Your Walks

Once we hit that six-week mark, I started wondering again when can babies go hiking. This is when you can begin extending those walks with your baby in a pram on flat, paved paths or continue with longer sling walks if that’s working for you. I love walking, so I was quite happy to be out for over an hour, walking down to the beach or our local park. Everyone is different, though, so do what works best for you and your baby.

If you’re using a pram, the key here is sticking to smooth surfaces – no trails yet. Your baby’s neck muscles are still developing, so infant hiking safety means avoiding bumpy terrain that could cause excessive jostling.

Baby slings remain an excellent option during this period, offering more flexibility for varied terrain while keeping your baby close and secure.

10+ Months: Enter the Baby Carrier

This is when things get interesting, and when babies can go hiking becomes a more realistic question.

However, it’s essential to wait until your baby has developed excellent head and neck control and can sit upright independently before using a structured baby carrier. Every baby develops at their own pace, so you need to assess what your baby is ready for first.

If your baby isn’t quite ready for a structured carrier, baby slings remain an ideal choice for continued outdoor adventures on easier terrain. I carried mine for as long as possible in a sling – until they were at least 12 months – before switching to a baby carrier.

I’ll never forget our first hiking adventure in a structured carrier – just a 45-minute loop on a flat woodland path, but it felt like conquering Everest. The transition from sling to structured carrier opened up new possibilities for family hiking destinations.

Baby carrier for hiking becomes transformative at this stage once your baby is developmentally ready. We invested in a structured carrier with excellent head support, and it was game-changing.

We’ve had the Osprey Poco child carrier for the last five years, and honestly, I can’t fault it. I’ve used it on short walks, long walks, complete with snacks and spare clothes, and I haven’t had any issues with it. It’s great that it’s also lightweight.

Around this stage, our children were quite happy to be in the baby carrier for around 1-2 hours, and a part of that time might be spent sleeping.

Research published from the University of South-Eastern Norway shows that children presented with a natural landscape in which to play showed a statistically significant increase in motor fitness compared to children in a more traditional playground.

12+ Months: Real Hiking Adventures

By 12 months, when can babies go hiking becomes less about “can they” and more about “how do we plan this correctly?” This is when family hiking adventures start to take shape. Your baby can handle longer durations, varied terrain, and more stimulating environments.

I started planning hikes with multiple breaks, always checking baby hiking weather protection and packing way more supplies than seemed necessary. The developmental benefits became obvious – our children were always fascinated by the changing scenery, different sounds, and varied lighting conditions. They loved pointing out different things for us to stop and see, like flowers, tree bark, or ants scuttling about on the ground.

A family hiking up a mountain. Photo by Andrii Solok 🇺🇦 on Unsplash

By the time they approach their first birthday, toddlers are more alert, interactive, and can handle the sensory input of hiking trails for families with babies.

Keep in mind that each baby is different, but if you have one that is starting to walk or has been walking for a few months, when can babies go hiking transitions into when can toddlers start walking on trails? This opens up so many more family hiking destinations. Short sections of safe, flat trail where they can practice walking, with the carrier as backup, worked brilliantly for us.

Essential Baby Hiking Gear and Equipment

So you’ve figured out when can babies go hiking based on their age, but now comes the fun part – what do you need to take? My first attempt at packing for a family hiking adventure looked like we were emigrating rather than going for a two-hour walk!

Learning what baby hiking gear essentials you need versus what you think you need is a learning curve. Even now, I sometimes take more than we need, but I’d rather have it than be caught out and need it when I didn’t bring it!

A mum holding her baby in a sling. Photo by Christopher Luther on Unsplash

Baby Carriers vs Prams: The Eternal Debate

When can babies go hiking comfortably really depends on whether you choose a baby carrier for hiking or attempt the pram route. I tried both, and each has its place depending on where you’re planning to go.

Prams work brilliantly for those early months when you’re sticking to flat, paved paths. The storage space is incredible. But the moment you hit anything resembling a trail and your baby can sit in a baby carrier comfortably, you’ll need one.

Baby carriers open up so many more possibilities for family hiking destinations. A good structured carrier distributes weight evenly and keeps your hands free for balance on uneven terrain.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing and Sun Protection

Baby hiking clothing systems became my obsession after one particularly memorable outing up Ben Nevis in Scotland. It was our eldest’s first birthday, and we’d never been to Ben Nevis, but we thought, naively, it would be similar to Snowdon in Wales.

It’s not, which we quickly found out as we reached the top. She had been sleeping most of the hike up, but as we got to the top after several false summits, she was crying and cold. The weather had turned misty, you couldn’t see anything, and it was cold. It didn’t help that she was only wearing normal clothes underneath a thin puddlesuit, socks, and Wellington boots.

A little child wearing a blue hat in the sun. Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

I had thought we could take her out at the top for a stretch, but it became apparent that wasn’t going to happen, so we quickly made our way back down. Since then, I invested in the correct hiking gear for children: baselayers, midlayer, a waterproof jacket or all-in-one warm suit, gloves, hat, and fleece-lined boots, and any extras!

Another thing to think about is baby hiking sun protection, even on cloudy days. We use factor 50, even for us adults. Other essential baby outdoor gear is sun hats with a neck cover at the back to protect their necks.

Feeding and Safety Essentials

Your feeding logistics will need to be factored in when it comes to taking babies hiking. If you’re breastfeeding, factor in extra water for yourself – dehydration affects milk supply. For bottle feeding, insulated bags are your friend, but formula preparation on trails requires thought.

Your standard first aid kit needs baby-specific additions for safe hiking with infants. Infant paracetamol or ibuprofen (age-appropriate), thermometer, and extra nappies beyond what you’d normally pack are a good idea for hiking with babies.

Comfort Features on Baby Hiking Carriers

When it’s time to look for baby hiking carriers, here are some features to look out for that your future self will thank you for.

Padded Shoulder Straps and Hip Belts

This is where most cheap carriers fall apart completely. I’ve tested carriers where the padding was decorative – about as useful as a chocolate teapot. The best hiking carriers for babies have substantial padding that doesn’t compress into nothing after a few uses.

The hip belt is, in fact, more important than most people realise. A good hip belt should transfer about 80% of the weight to your hips rather than your shoulders. Look for hip belts that are at least 4 inches wide. The Osprey Poco is a good example of this – its hip belt hugs your body shape rather than just sitting there like a glorified rope.

A lady carrying her baby in a baby backpack. Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Adjustable Torso Lengths for Different Body Types

The torso adjustment mechanism should be simple, but secure. You don’t want it slipping mid-hike. Most people don’t measure their torso length before buying, but honestly, you should. Measure from the prominent bone at the base of your neck to the top of your hip bones.

Most of the best baby carriers for walking have adjustment ranges, but knowing your measurements helps you pick the right model from the start.

Ventilation Systems

Nothing ruins a lovely mountain walk quite like having a completely soaked back within the first hour. I’ve hiked in carriers that felt like wearing a plastic bag! The ventilation system in your outdoor baby carrier can make or break longer adventures. Look for hiking carriers that have an airflow between your back and pack, which helps prevent your back from sweating.

Sunshades and Weather Protection

British weather being what it is, you need a baby hiking backpack that can handle whatever gets thrown at it. The integrated sunshades on the best hiking carriers for babies are brilliant for more than just sun protection. They also work well for light rain and wind protection.

My children have dozed off in the carrier plenty of times during light drizzle, completely dry and cosy under the shade. Some carriers even come with separate rain covers for more protection, which are even better.

A lady drinking from a water bottle while hiking. Source: Canva

Hydration Compatibility and Storage Solutions

This is where the best hiking carriers for babies separate themselves from the basic models. When you’re hiking with a child, you’re not just carrying them, you’re carrying snacks, nappies, extra clothes, toys, your gear, and enough supplies to survive a small apocalypse!

The right storage organisation is important for when can babies go hiking. Having fifteen different pockets might sound brilliant, but if you can’t reach them or remember what you put where, it’s useless. The best outdoor adventure gear has intuitive storage that you can access without having to perform contortions.

Hydration compatibility is non-negotiable for longer hikes. Being able to drink without stopping or taking off the pack is essential when you’ve got a sleeping child on your back.

Quick tip from experience: practice loading and unloading your carrier at home before your first big when can babies go hiking adventure. Figure out where everything goes and how to access it efficiently.

Choosing Baby-Friendly Hiking Trails

This is where I had to swallow my pride and admit that my pre-baby hiking standards needed a complete overhaul. When can babies go hiking safely isn’t just about their age – it’s equally about choosing the right baby-friendly hiking trails that won’t leave you stranded, stressed, or wondering why you ever left the house.

A hiking trail in the forest. Photo by Dawid Kochman on Unsplash

Terrain and Distance Considerations

When can babies go hiking on different terrain types is important once you start venturing beyond your local park. Flat, well-maintained paths are your friend during those early months of family hiking adventures. Rocky terrain is an absolute no-go for infant hiking safety. One slip with a baby on board isn’t worth any scenic viewpoint.

For babies under 6 months, baby hiking distance recommendations depend on where you’re going and what you’re using. If the terrain was flat and I was using a sling, I would normally walk for around an hour.

Anything from 10+ months, when we started using a baby carrier, we gradually increased the distance and the terrain. We had to keep in mind, though, that hiking trails for families with babies require much more time than adult-only hikes.

As with anything, though, do what’s best for you. If you’re unsure, speak with your healthcare provider or GP who can advise you.

When Can Babies Go Hiking? UK Family Hiking Destinations That Work

A South Downs Way sign post. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

After countless trial-and-error family adventures, I’ve identified some excellent family hiking destinations in the UK:

Thames Path: Offers fantastic baby carrier hiking opportunities with regular facilities and mostly flat terrain
Forestry Commission sites: Brilliant for safe hiking with infants with surfaced paths, regular benches, and good car park facilities. Try Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire) or the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire)
National Trust properties: Combine short, well-maintained trails with excellent facilities and cafes. Box Hill (Surrey) and Ashridge Estate (Hertfordshire) are some of our favourites
Regent’s Canal in London: Perfect for pram-friendly walks with regular facilities and easy access points throughout the city
Cotswold Water Park: Flat, accessible paths around lakes with visitor centres and family facilities
Richmond Park in London: Wide, surfaced paths suitable for prams and carriers, with deer spotting opportunities that fascinate babies. Richmond Park was one of my favourite places when I lived in London
Hampstead Heath: Varied terrain options from flat paths to gentle hills, with excellent transport links and facilities
Peak District Railway Trails: Former railway lines converted to flat, surfaced paths – Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail are excellent starting points
South Downs Way (short sections): Choose flatter sections near visitor centres like Seven Sisters Country Park for stunning views with good facilities
Norfolk Broads: Flat walking and cycling paths with regular refreshment stops and baby-changing facilities
Beach walks: Who doesn’t love walking along the beach? Lovely flat walks with plenty of facilities and places to rest and stop along the way

Health Benefits of Hiking with Babies

A man and young child walking on a grassy path. Photo by Shariq Bakshi on Unsplash

I’ll admit, during those early sleep-deprived months, I sometimes questioned whether the effort of getting everyone ready for outdoor activities with babies was worth it. Then I started noticing the changes in my baby, in myself, and our relationship.

Sleep and the Immune System Benefits

This was honestly one of the most noticeable benefits for us. The combination of fresh air, natural light exposure, and gentle physical activity seemed to regulate our children’s circadian rhythms much more effectively than any indoor routine we tried. Not only were they sleeping for longer, but I was out of the house, which ties nicely to my next point…

Mental Health Benefits for Parents

The mental health benefits are immediate. With our first child, she was six months around the time Covid kicked in and everything shut down. There were no baby groups to go to, so all I had available to me was walking. I’m lucky enough to live by the beach, so that’s pretty much all I did.

Not only that, but exercise, such as walking, can help combat postpartum depression, according to research. The combination of natural light, fresh air, and physical activity during baby hiking adventures provides natural mood enhancement that indoor environments simply can’t match.

Final Thoughts on When Can Babies Go Hiking?

Hiking with your baby opens up a world of incredible bonding opportunities and sets the foundation for a lifetime love of the outdoors. Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, so trust your instincts and always prioritise safety over adventure goals.

Start small, plan thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to turn back if conditions aren’t ideal. The trails will always be there waiting for you! Your patience in those early months will pay dividends as your little one grows into a confident outdoor enthusiast.

Ready to take that first step? Begin with a short local walk this weekend and gradually build up to longer adventures. The memories you’ll create together are worth every bit of preparation and planning.

For more hiking inspiration, check out our related guides:

Happy hiking!

Have you found this guide on when can babies go hiking helpful? What else do you think we should include? What’s worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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When Can Babies Go Hiking? The Best Info You Need in 2025