One of the most common complaints that parents have in modern times is that kids don’t get enough exercise. Ergo, when it comes time to get the kids out of the house, many parents aim to take them on hikes, which allow them to see the country without needing to undertake a rock-climbing course.

If you are a parent who wants to get their kids walking, and also wants them to see the country at the same time, then this coming summer, it may be worth taking them on a hike or two. No two hikes are created equal, and while many hiking routes around the US are mainly suitable for advanced hikers, there are many that are suited for kids too.

So, here, you will be walked through the best hiking routes around the US to take with your kids.

Laurel Falls Trail

When you are hiking with kids and toddlers, you will want a trail that is mostly flat and has no narrow parts, as this can make getting a pushchair through pretty difficult.

If you are in the area of Gatlinburg, you can take kids of all ages on the Laurel Falls Trail. This two-and-a-half-mile walk is flat, and it leads to an eighty-foot waterfall which hits a range of tiers and also offers some stunning views of the local mountains. Best of all, if you are on this trail, you can stay in luxury overnight at the Westgate, as this trail is close to their Gatlinburg resorts.

Anhinga Trail

The Anhinga Trail is one to try with kids who are a bit more adventurous.

Based at the Everglades National Park, this trail is just under a mile long and it takes you through some sawgrass marshes, which will showcase an array of wildlife. It’s great for young kids, as well as kids in pushchairs and strollers, as the entire walk is on a board walk, meaning there are no slopes!

Fern Creek Loop

Fern Canyon/Creek is so popular with tourists in the summer that you have to book your parking space. Its free, but it ensures that you and your children can enjoy the area without being too crowded.

So, why visit this trail with kids? There is a one-mile lollypop loop, which takes you through the historical fern creek, allowing you to step back in time to a prehistoric era with your little ones. Just a note: come winter, you may get your feet wet if you don’t take wellies, so be sure to pack them!

Clingmans Dome or Kuwohi

A lot of the hiking trails in the US are based around native American walking trails. As such, the Kuwohi (which is Cherokee for mountain) is a fun and historic walking trail to go on with your children.

Reaching 6684 feet, this may not seem the ideal hiking route for children, but the peak is accessible via Clingmans Dome Road, so you can get to the top without issue—and without any kids getting tired legs. From there, you can view the coniferous forests, as well as see the snow fall between September to May each year.