Some parents and children just don’t enjoy using backpack carriers for hiking with toddlers and babies. For these families, stroller hiking is often a good option.
Hiking with a stroller is a good way to enjoy the outdoors with a heavy baby or toddler. It’s also useful if your child hates the restraint of a baby carrier, or the adult has back injuries or other problems that might prevent them carrying a child. When hiking with a stroller, look for groomed or paved trails.
Hiking with a stroller can be a viable way to get outdoors with a toddler or baby. Here is how to do it successfully.
Hiking with a Stroller
Can you hike with a stroller? Yes, as long as you have stroller-friendly hikes available. Stroller hiking is not what most people picture when they imagine hiking-long cross-country treks down narrow, rugged trails or across areas with no trail at all, huge backpack strapped to their back. However, there are situations and times that may dictate the need for stroller hiking.
If you cannot carry your baby or toddler because they are too big, they hate being in a carrier, or you just don’t enjoy hiking in that way, a stroller or wagon may be your best hiking option for a few years. It’s better for both you and your kids to get out in whatever way you can, as opposed to simply waiting for years until they get old enough to hike on their own.
How to Choose a Hiking Stroller
When you are looking for a stroller to take hiking, there will be several things you want to consider. If this is going to be your only stroller, you may have to make compromises between the different ways you want to use it.
The wheels and tires may be the most important part of an all-terrain stroller. You will want large wheels, as they make pushing easier and help minimize jolting. You will also need to consider the tires. Air-filled tires are built like bike tires and provide a smoother ride and easier pushing but can get punctures and flats. Solid or foam-filled tires don’t have an air compartment, so they will never go flat, but they are not as nice to use.
Beside the wheels, you will also want to focus on suspension, storage availability, and practicality of size, shape, and features. You may want an adjustable handlebar, a seat that can lay flat, a rain cover, extra storage, and other features specific to your needs. Also consider the size and storage capabilities. Will the stroller fit in your car? Is it easy to fold? Can you easily lift it if needed? Where will you store it at home? And if you are using it as an all-purpose stroller, will it be easy to maneuver in stores or crowded areas like airports?
How to Find Stroller-Friendly Trails
Finding a trail that you can take a stroller on may be the most difficult part of this plan. If you have an all-terrain stroller with large, inflatable tires, you will be able to take it on gravel or dirt trails that are well-groomed, as long as they don’t have large roots or rocks to handle. You can also manage any trail that is paved, and boardwalks. Most of these trails are relatively short, which is ideal for a parent lugging a toddler and a stroller.
Paved trails:
Using an app like AllTrails (also available online) may help you decide which trails are manageable with a filtered search for paved, stroller-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trails. If you are visiting a national park or state park area, a visit to the park’s website will often help you find accessibility information on trails. Finally, look into local city parks for accessible trails that you can take strollers on.
Groomed Trails:
Groomed trails can be harder to find because exactly what your particular stroller can handle will depend on a lot of different factors. You may be able to take a stroller or wagon where you couldn’t take all wheelchairs or walkers, meaning there are some trails that you can manage that aren’t listed as “accessible”. Word of mouth, reviews, and personal experience may be the best ways to find these trails. If you are unsure, you can visit an area on a trial basis, either with or without your stroller, and see how far you can get. It you have to turn back there’s no shame and you at least got a bit of outdoor time.
What to Do if You Can’t Use a Stroller
Read more about hiking with a baby in the rest of the series:
Hiking With Your Baby: EVERYTHING You Need to Know
Hiking With Your Baby: How Long Can They Be in the Carrier?
Hiking With Your Baby: Staying Safe in the Sun
Hiking With Your Baby: What is the Best Age?
What to Bring Hiking with a Baby or Toddler
How to Dress Your Baby or Toddler for a Hike