
Whether you’re an avid hiker seeking new challenges or a family looking to embark on exciting outdoor adventures, Asia offers a plethora of hiking trails suitable for all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. From breathtaking landscapes to cultural immersion, these trails promise memorable experiences that the whole family can enjoy together. In this blog, we have carefully curated a list of ten family-friendly hiking trails across Asia that are not only easy enough for the little ones to join in but also offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and accessibility. So, lace up your hiking boots, pack your sense of adventure, and get ready to create lasting memories as you embark on these remarkable trails with your loved ones. Let’s dive into the wonders of Asia’s hiking paradise!
Want More?
Hiking Trail | Location | Difficulty Level | Notable Features | Age Recommendation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Finger Hill | Hong Kong | Easy | Suitable for families and kids | All ages |
Mount Kinabalu | Malaysia | Difficult | Challenging hike, suitable for teens | 16+ years |
Little Adam’s Peak | Sri Lanka | Easy | Scenic, suitable for families and kids over 5 years old | 5+ years |
Cameron Highlands | Malaysia | Varies | Variety of trails, suitable for families and kids | All ages |
Dragon’s Back | Hong Kong | Easy | Toddler-friendly, scenic, and easy | All ages |
Doi Inthanon | Thailand | Easy | Suitable for families and kids | All ages |
Achasan | South Korea | Medium | Moderate difficulty level, suitable for families and kids | 10+ years |
Sapa | Vietnam | Easy | Suitable for families and kids | All ages |
Yangmingshan | Taiwan | Easy | Suitable for families and kids | All ages |
Mt. Batur | Indonesia (Bali) | Difficult | Volcano hike, suitable for teens | 12+ years |
One of the easiest hiking trails in Hong Kong, it's suitable for both beginners and children. It's also located in Peng Chau island, and allows the entire family to take a nice day trip there to explore the place away from the city before or after hiking. Although the peak isn't as high as previously mentioned locations, you'll still get a nice view and an enjoyable hike with a mixture of concrete paths, stairs and natural walkways. Along the way, you can also check out alleyways consisting of little stores set up by locals and have a peek into their daily life.
Finger Hill, www.discoverhongkong.com/finger-hill
According to UNESCO, Mount Kinabalu is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. There are two trails you can take depending on your ability and the ages of your kids. They recommend that kids aged 10 and over are suitable for this climb as there appear to be many steep slopes and numerous steps. It's an experience that's really worth it as the whole family can enjoy a wonderful view at the peak - after all it's the highest peak in Malaysia.
Mount Kinabalu, www.mountkinabalu.com
Little Adam's Peak in Ella in Sri Lanka is a lush hike to visit with the family, and is quite an easy climb for kids over the age of 5. It'd be best if they have a bit of hiking experience prior though. The path up the hill to Little Adam's Peak is easy to find and is marked by signs showing the way next to the 98 Acres Resort. Along the way, you'll also get to catch a glimpse of tea-picking ladies as you go through beautiful green tea plantations. All in all, a pretty scenic experience for the family
Little Adam's Peak, www.tripadvisor.com/Little-Adams-Peak
Cameron Highlands is perfect for hiking as a family as there are many different trails you can choose from. The trails also range greatly in difficulty, so you can choose one that suits your family's ability and fitness level. There definitely are kid-friendly trails which are as easy as taking an evening stroll, while others require a higher level of fitness and would be great if the kiddos have prior hiking experiences beforehand. There are also many nice sights to see along the way, including tea plantations, temples, and more.
Cameron Highlands, www.tripadvisor.com/Cameron_Highlands
Another amazing trail in Hong Kong that's kid-friendly, Dragon's Back is a relatively popular spot for tourists who wish to add hiking to their itinerary. It's actually located near the city, making it very accessible, and can be completed in about three hours. Do note that the beginning of the trail can get a little tedious, but the rest of the hike is easier - so don't give up midway! You'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Hong Kong once you reach the top.
Dragon's Back, www.discoverhongkong.com/dragons-back
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand, and thus it's strongly recommend that children attempt this hike if they have previous hiking experience. This mountain is part of the Himalayan mountain range, and can get a little chilly as you’re so far up, so we'd recommend packing hiking gear that's suitable for colder weather! This place is also perfect for bird watching and waterfall viewing. You can also opt to camp at the base to enjoy Thailand’s countryside.
Doi Inthanon, www.thainationalparks.com/doi-inthanon-national-park
If you and your family are planning a trip to Seoul, it'd be lovely to visit Achasan and hike one of their available trails there. The perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Seoul city itself, Achasan is relatively manageable for kids and takes around two and a half hours to complete. Do note that the trails are around the intermediate level, so do ensure your little ones are prepared for the hike and you bring along enough water to hydrate everyone. If you're starting your hike early in the morning, you can also pack breakfast and enjoy it on one of the many benches along the way.
Achasan, www.english.visitkorea.or.kr/achasan
Sapa is an excellent hiking place for kids of all ages, and provide lovely views for everyone. If the little ones get tired, they can even be hoisted on your backs midway, but children with energy to burn can happily walk next to you. You’ll get to pass through padi fields and see locals working along the way, which will be an amazing experience for the kids. There are also different routes, including easier trails suitable for young children and more difficult ones for older kids. You can even book personal tours that include homestays, making the experience an even more meaningful and enriching one.
If your family is filled with bubble tea lovers, why not take a trip to Taiwan to not only try their tasy bubble tea flavors but also hike Yangmingshan? Yangmingshan National Park is one of the nine national parks in Taiwan, and there are many different trails you can explore while you're there. If your little ones aren't too experienced with hiking, you can maybe try the Erziping or Mount Caigongkeng trails as they'll take slightly more than an hour to complete - just enough exercise for the kids.
Yangmingshan, www.eng.taiwan.net.tw
A unique hiking experience, the kids will surely be excited that they get to hike up a volcano! However, this hike can be a little tedious for kids who are too young, so we'd recommend only bringing your children along if they are older or have prior experience hiking and enjoy it. You can also join a tour for a guided hike, and it'd be lovely to catch the sunrise during your hike. Temperatures do change as you head upwards, so prepare some insulating layers than you can throw on when it gets colder.
Mt. Batur, www.mtbatursunrisetrekking.com
Multi-Day Hiking Trips For Kids And Families:
Hiking Trail | Location | Difficulty Level | How to Get There | Duration | Age Recommendation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annapurna Circuit | Nepal | Moderate to Hard | Fly to Kathmandu, then take a bus to the trailhead | 15-20 days | 12+ years |
Overland Track | Australia (Tasmania) | Moderate | Fly to Launceston or Hobart, then bus to Cradle Mountain | 6-8 days | 10+ years |
Overland Track | New Zealand | Moderate | Fly to Queenstown or Te Anau, then take a bus to the track | 4-6 days | 10+ years |
Kinabalu Summit Trail | Malaysia | Moderate to Hard | Fly to Kota Kinabalu, then drive to Kinabalu National Park | 2-3 days | 12+ years |
Druk Path Trek | Bhutan | Moderate | Fly to Paro, then drive to the starting point | 5-6 days | 10+ years |
Mount Rinjani | Indonesia (Lombok) | Hard | Fly to Lombok, then drive to Senaru or Sembalun | 3-4 days | 16+ years |
Khao Sok National Park | Thailand | Moderate | Fly to Phuket or Surat Thani, then drive to the park | 2-3 days | 8+ years |
Gunung Mulu Summit Trek | Malaysia (Sarawak) | Hard | Fly to Miri, then take a boat to Gunung Mulu National Park | 4-5 days | 16+ years |
Other Unique Day Hikes Around Asia For Kids:
Got kids? Little Steps Asia gives you the scoop on all the things to do and see with babies, toddlers, and kids in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Jakarta, Macau, and beyond. From family-friendly hotels, kids and baby shops, the best schools and after school activities, pregnancy tips and meet-ups and more – we have you sorted.
Sign up to receive the free Little Steps email newsletter packed with news, offers, and hidden treasures for families.
Sign up now for the latest in Hong Kong pregnancy news, monthly updates and more!
"*" indicates required fields