Hiking along a river with kids

I’ve chosen the Goldach as the location of our river hike, as this (somewhat lengthy) tributary of Lake Constance is located on our doorstep. We’ve crossed the river umpteen times but never hiked in it. Normally, we head to Lake Constance or the outdoor pool when we want to cool off – but this time, I was after something more laid-back.

Outdoor game ideas

These four game ideas will keep the trip exciting for the whole family and help children discover nature though play.

Before we set off, I’d been concerned that it wouldn’t really be possible to do a tour like this in open water. What if the weather takes a turn for the worse and the rain suddenly raises the water level? Or if there are points where we have to swim? We didn’t have a boat. Once I’d checked the weather forecast to make sure no storms were on the horizon, we set off with my innately adventurous sense of trust: we could always turn around if we couldn’t go any further.

The midges and horseflies became a real problem: we weren’t able to take an extended break due to the insects, but insect repellent and long sleeves made it somewhat bearable. If we’d only been wearing swim trunks, our river hike would have been truly excruciating. Alongside our unwanted companions, though, we saw lots of other insects large and small. We’ll remember our trip as a unique way to experience the natural world. I can highly recommend it for a hot summer’s day, as long as you’ve made the necessary preparations.