7 stunning trails to experience during winter
Get out and enjoy the sweet, crisp air
Hiking in the snow is more than just a good way to get that heart rate up. It also gives you a chance to see flora and fauna bathed in that exceptional winter light. These seven hikes can be enjoyed any time but are extra special when there is snow on the ground.
Great Marsh Trail at Mason Neck State Park in Virginia
One of the payoffs of taking a hike at Mason Neck State Park is seeing the wildlife that emerges in the winter. This park has hundreds of acres of hardwood forests and wetland areas, and while birds are out year-round, the tundra swans only appear during the coldest months. Hundreds flock to Belmont Bay for the winter, and are often spotted while on the park's Great Marsh Trail, which is just under a mile long and ADA compliant.
Bryce Canyon Rim Trail at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah
The Rim Trail is what you make of it. The trail connects the park's scenic overlooks, and you can walk for half a mile, like along the paved stretch between Sunrise and Sunset points, or go on a longer trek. Wherever you roam, there are spectacular views of the bright hoodoos topped with snow. Just note that in the winter, the Bryce Point to Inspiration Point segment is often closed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gorham Mountain Loop at Acadia National Park in Maine
The Gorham Mountain Loop highlights all the beauty of Acadia National Park. Over the course of the 3.5-mile round trip, you will see the rugged coastline and get a glimpse of Cadillac Mountain. This is a challenging route that goes over rocky, uneven surfaces. It is best for more experienced hikers.
Riverside Trail at William O'Brien State Park in Minnesota
Bundle up and prepare for a peaceful, albeit chilly, hike on the Riverside Trail. This 2.7-mile loop goes by the St. Croix River and Lake Alice and through a wooded area dominated by 100-year-old pine trees. Since it is a rolled trail, the snow is packed down, and a pair of snow boots with ice grips is an ideal solution.
Jud Wiebe Trail in Colorado
The views are stellar from the Jud Wiebe Trail, with the Telluride Ski Resort and surrounding valley on full display. This 3.1-mile hike is rated at moderate difficulty in the summer and fall but is much more challenging when there is snow and ice. So be careful. The trail is also quite steep, with an elevation gain of 1,213 feet.
Cascade Mountain in New York
This one is a doozy and should only be endeavored by serious winter hikers. But once you reach the top of Cascade Mountain, it will all be worth the adventure. The ascent is a steep and rocky 2.4 miles to the summit, where beautiful views await. Come prepared with snowshoes and also have microspikes or trail crampons in your bag, in case you come on an especially icy spot.
Ouachita Trail in Arkansas and Oklahoma
The 192-mile Ouachita Trail spans from Arkansas to Oklahoma, with hikers who traverse the entire stretch able to stop at attractions like Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Lover's Leap, the Talimena Scenic Byway, Lake Ouachita and Alum Creek Experimental Forest. You can also go on day hikes along the trail, in either state. Expect to see ample wildlife but not a lot of people, as winter is a quiet time for the trail.
Don't forget...
With winter hiking, you have to keep an eye on the weather and check trail conditions ahead of time. Be prepared with layers of clothing and lots of water, and slather on sunscreen before you head out. If you are a casual hiker or have not hiked in the snow before, take it easy and avoid jumping straight into a strenuous trek.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 11, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - bathroom blues, family feud, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 blustery cartoons about the Stormy Daniels testimony
Cartoons Artists take on gag orders, lurid details, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Idea of You review: 'impossible escapism' starring Anne Hathaway
The Week Recommends Steamy romcom about a 40-year-old who falls for a boy band singer
By The Week UK Published
-
Expressionists: a 'rousing' exhibition at the Tate Modern
The Week Recommends Show mixes 'ferociously glowing masterpieces' from Kandinsky with less well-known artwork
By The Week UK Published
-
The Mighty Five: a guide to Utah's mesmerizing national parks
The Week Recommends From Arches to Zion, you should wander them all
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Buddha of Suburbia: an 'orgiastic odyssey'
The Week Recommends Emma Rice brings Hanif Kureishi's 1990 novel to the stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Marc Quinn's Light into Life: an 'al fresco treasure-hunt' of sculpture at Kew
The Week Recommends Massive metallic sculptures dotted across the gardens explore 'links between nature and humanity'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Lanzarote travel guide: a sea-swept volcanic paradise
The Week Recommends Even a short exploration quickly shows the out-of-this-world island is undeserving of its 'Brits abroad' reputation
By William Leigh Published
-
8 genre-defining Black country, folk and blues musicians
The Week Recommends Keeping the legacy alive, even when the industry tries to keep them down
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger celebrates 'unique collaboration'
The Week Recommends Martin Scorsese presents documentary tribute to the 'gorgeous, radical work' of the film-making duo
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
5 captivating books to read in May
the week recommends Brittney Griner tells her own story, a coming-of-middle-age novel and more
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published