Trekking 85 Miles With Grandpa, Scuba Diving With Grandma

Rick Rhoads, 80, was “training like crazy” last spring, walking six miles a day — “all hills” — to get ready for his summer vacation. Mr. Rhoads, of Orcas Island, Wash., and Lucy Erent, his 15-year-old granddaughter, who lives in Prague, were planning to trek 85 miles in eight days along Scotland’s West Highland Way.

The route, which passes through farmland and forest and runs along Loch Lomond into the Scottish Highlands, traverses a range of terrains, including steep inclines and rocky trails.A trip organizer was set to manage lodging and transport the luggage each day.

Mr. Rhoads wasn’t daunted by the distance, or by the age difference. He said he was looking forward to continuing discussions the pair has had on video calls, on topics as varied as stage drama, cosplay, pandemics and family dynamics. “I’ll get her to do the talking when we’re going up hills,” he joked.

When they finally did the trek, in early July, there were a few wrinkles: The hiking was tougher than expected, and one of Mr. Rhoads’s boots began to fall apart near the end — nothing some duct tape couldn’t fix. Overall, Mr. Rhoads said, the adventure was challenging, but he was eager to do another, perhaps a route “that passed by cafes.”

Sixty may or may not be the new 40, but it’s clear that many older adults are enjoying longer “healthspans” — the time they are active, fit and healthy. This shift is adding a new dimension to traditional grandparent-grandchild vacations: adventure. Think bike trips instead of cruise ships, wilderness treks instead of bus tours.