Themed nature trails: 8 walks that get children moving without a grumble

The secret to getting a child walking? Never tell them you’re going for a walk. On a themed trail, you set off to find planets, count fortifications or spot frogs, and the kilometres go by all on their own.

French-speaking Switzerland is full of these themed walks where boards, games and stories turn a hike into an exploration. Here are our favourites, from the gentlest to the most adventurous.

1. The nature trail in the forêt des Arses, in Rougemont

Our favourite in Le Pays-d’Enhaut: a trail deep in the forest dotted with playful boards about the living world. Shade, discoveries and a real fairy-tale forest atmosphere.

2. Le Chemin des Planètes, in St-Luc

You take the funicular up to Tignousa, then walk from planet to planet: each model of the solar system brings you closer to the sun… or the other way round. A magnificent panorama over the val d’Anniviers thrown in.

3. Le Sentier des Toblerones, between Bassins and Lake Geneva

Second World War anti-tank fortifications that look like giant chocolate: enough to captivate children. The Crosette picnic area, in Begnins, offers tables and barbecues in the middle of the forest with a view of the famous blocks: the ideal stop along the route.

4. The wine-country walk through Luins-Vinzel-Bursins

A geolocated trail-game in the heart of the La Côte vineyards: quizzes, photo challenges and a free app turn the vines into a playground. Bring a charged smartphone.

5. The loop around Lac des Vernes, in Meyrin

A small stretch of water fringed with reeds where you can watch birds, dragonflies and frogs along an easy trail, open all year round. Perfect for the first “nature expeditions” of 2 to 5 year olds.

6. Le Bois de Bondex, in Céligny

A small nature reserve where forest, meadows and marshland sit side by side over a few hectares, with surprising biodiversity. A quiet observation outing, binoculars welcome.

7. The walk to the Barilette refuge, above Saint-Cergue

Pastures, fir trees and the ruins of an old castle as the highlight: a free family walk in the Jura vaudois, full of fresh air.

8. Gorges, to step things up

Once children have got the taste for trails, the walkways of the mysterious Tête-Noire gorges in Trient offer a real thrill above the torrent. For children who walk well.

Our tips for keeping the walk a pleasure

• Give them a mission: count the boards, photograph three insects, find the next planet. A child on a mission doesn’t drag their feet.
• Time the picnic for the viewpoint or the halfway mark: it’s the universal carrot.
• Aim for the morning in summer: forest trails stay cool, but exposed sections heat up quickly after midday.
• Adapt the distance: a short successful route beats a big loop that ends with someone being carried.

Want more fresh-air ideas? Browse all our Nature & Animals activities and our outings in the canton of Vaud and in Valais.

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