Making a long walk appealing to children requires a touch of magic. The Refuge Plan Lombardie has masterfully created this magic with its “treasure hunt-style sculpture trail,” a simple but brilliant feature that transforms a potentially tedious climb into an exciting adventure for its youngest visitors.
This initiative is a masterclass in child psychology. Instead of focusing on the distant goal of the refuge, the trail breaks the journey into a series of small, achievable, and fun objectives: finding the next sculpture. This provides instant gratification and keeps children engaged and motivated, effectively distracting them from the physical effort of hiking uphill.
The trail serves families arriving from the nearby car park, many with preschoolers, making their first foray into the world of mountain refuges. By creating such a positive and engaging first impression, the refuge is not just easing the final 20 minutes of a walk; it’s potentially sparking a lifelong love for the mountains.
This creative approach is part of a wider strategy in the Vallée des Belleville to support new hikers. It demonstrates a deep understanding that to make the mountains truly family-friendly, you need to cater to the imagination and energy levels of children. The sculpture trail is a small detail that makes a huge difference.