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Take A Break From Tech – Go For A Trek!
Published in Parent Circle print as well as online magazines.
Our modern lifestyle creates a distance between us and nature – and between us and our loved ones. That’s why a ‘hike’ is all you need to connect with your child.
“This is a brief life, but in its brevity, it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures”, wrote Rudyard Kipling in Kim – one of his greatest works which explores the natural beauty of India through the eyes of a curious child traversing its beautiful lands.
There’s a reason why traveling is one of the strongest connection points for families. In addition to creating memories for a lifetime, traveling with your family can break the monotony of daily routines, thereby also reducing stress. Most urban families today are constantly indoors, far away from nature, and often running from pillar to post just to keep their lives running on an even keel. We are gripped by our love for concrete jungles. How about exploring nature in the most natural mode of transport? Yes, we are talking about hiking.
While taking you closer to nature and keeping your family fit, hiking also gives you an opportunity to bond with your child. In essence, spending time in the arms of nature is the perfect way to show the real world to your children. They can see, smell, feel, and experience through all the senses. Studies focusing on ‘environmental psychology’ show that humans have positive reactions to nature and natural environments.
Why take your child on a hiking trip
Martha Erickson, director of early mental health training programs at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis shares her experiences in an article titled, “Getting back to the great outdoors”, published in American Psychological Association, sums up the advantages of spending time in nature.
She asserts that her frequent nature outings with children and their play and exploration outdoors helped them grow into
well-rounded adults. “Even as many young people were spending increasing amounts of time watching television or playing video games, my children were much more likely to head off on their bikes, canoe down the creek that flows through our city, or rally some friends to create an outdoor adventure. Now, as young adults, they are fit, creative, adventurous, and striving to protect the environment.”
By going on a hike with you, your child will
- learn the values of perseverance, effort, and physical exertion
- keep calm, resolve problems and focus on the task at hand
- feel more confident, which, in turn, will give him the strength to deal with unforeseen situations
- understand her physical limits better
- observe you and imbibe the good aspects of your behavior, habits, and morals
- bond with you better by sharing his thoughts and feelings comfortably
On your part, you’ll get a chance to identify your child’s strengths and understand his desires and thoughts.
Now that you have this figured out, it’s time to pick the right spot. We’ve compiled some of the most wonderful spots to take your child (aged 8 and above) hiking in India –
Tadiandamol, Coorg
At an elevation of 5740 feet, Tadiandamol is the highest peak in the Coorg district of Karnataka. The enchanting trail leads you through the lush grasslands and streams of the vast shola forests. It is a moderate hike, doable in a day, and is suitable for both experts and first-timers. Being the highest point in the region, get ready for the wow factor once you reach the top.
- Nearest Cities – Mysore: 136 km away, Bengaluru: 275 km away
- Hiking info – 6 km, 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty Level – Moderate
- Best season to hike – September to February
Chopta-Chandrashila, Uttarakhand
The Chandrashila trek from Chopta is a relatively easier one, making it ideal for beginners and families. Go on this amazing trek for a stunning sight of thick green forests framed by grandeur of the Himalayan peaks at a distance. A family with average fitness that loves nature deeply will find this an enchanting experience. There are also many wonderful birding and picnic spots around.
- Nearest Cities – Haridwar: 232 km away
- Hiking info – 8 km, 4 hours
- Difficulty Level – Easy to Moderate
- Best season to hike – April to November
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Situated in the western Himalayas, 300 km north of Rishikesh near the Badrinath temple, this trekking route is an absolute treat for your eyes. The valley is covered in a thick blanket of snow in winter, but the melting waters and warmer weather post bring the valley to full bloom. Vibrant alpine flowers in a variety of shades create a colorful blanket that your camera lenses will be waiting for. The pristine beauty and mystical surroundings are bound to leave a strong impression on your child.
- Nearest Cities – Haridwar: 232 km away
- Hiking info – 8 km, 6 hours
- Difficulty Level – Easy to Moderate
- Best season to hike – August and September
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai
People living in the concrete urban sprawl of Mumbai are blessed to have a natural jungle in their backyard. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a haven for biological treasure has several guided nature walks with experienced naturalists. Your child can get great insights into the natural world and the life that inhabits it. The park is blessed with multiple hiking paths and trails: the Shilonda Trail, the Malad Trail, the Kanhery Trail, the Bamboo Hut trail, the Highest Point Trail, Kashmiri Trek, and the Nagla-Block Trail – each with its unique sights to experience.
- Hiking info – Distance and time took depend on the trails
- Difficulty Level – Easy
- Best season to hike – October to April
Chembra Peak, Kerala
Situated 290 km from Bangalore, the Chembra Peak trekking trail takes four hours to complete. The trek begins at the edge of a beautiful tea estate and takes you through the bright green cultivated slopes interspersed with rough forests and peaks engulfed by clouds. You also get to enjoy the highest summit of the misty Wayanad range. Your child can’t miss this magical experience.
- Nearest Cities – Kozhikode: 100 km away, Mysore: 160 km away
- Hiking info – 4.5 km, 4 hours
- Difficulty Level – Easy
- Best season to hike – August and September
W.H. Davies, famous for his poem, Leisure, wrote that ‘a life full of care in which there is no time to stop and stare at woods, streams, night skies, and natural beauty is no life at all’. Give your child a new lease of life by taking her on a hike. Spending time with your family, breaking out of your monotony, and being a better parent – there is much to be gained from taking a hike!
