Hiking in the winter might sound challenging—but with the right trail, it can be downright magical.
Fortunately, Ohio is full of several beautiful hiking trails that transform into a winter wonderland once snow falls. Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered trails and sparkling trees are stunning sights to see. So bundle up, grab your camera and consider taking these 10 picturesque trails in Ohio that are perfect for winter hiking.
- Old Man’s Cave Loop (Hocking Hills State Park)
Mike King/Flickr This hiking trail is stunning no matter what season, but during the colder months it transforms into a real life winter wonderland you have to see to believe. The 52nd Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike will take place on January 21 at 9 a.m. It’s a 6-mile group hike from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave.
- Horseshoe Falls Trail (Ceasar Creek State Park)
Ceasar Creek State Park/Facebook Take this southwest Ohio park’s First Day Hike on January 1 at 1 p.m. to hike 3 miles and see a frozen Horseshow Falls and the park’s snow covered swinging bridge.
- South Chagrin Reservation Trails (Cleveland Metroparks)
tde1973/Flickr Every Tuesday in January 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, this gorgeous metropark will feature the Winter Hike Series, which includes 3 miles of hilly trails.
- The Buckeye Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Carl Shepard/Flickr Each winter Ohio’s very own national park features stunning snowshoe hikes. This coming January, consider taking the “Off the Beaten Path: Winter Waterway” hike on January 7 at 9 a.m., which features a moderate 3-mile hike along the Buckeye Trail.
- East Cohasset Hike/Bike Trail (Mill Creek Park)
Mike/Flickr Youngstown’s metro park features some beautiful scenery and landmarks. The 1.5-mile asphalt surface East Cohasset Hike/Bike Trail features a scenic route above Lake Cohasset. It’s downright magical in the winter months.
- Clear Creek Metropark Trails (Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks)
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks/Facebook Adventurous seniors (ages 50+) are invited to take this rugged 3-mile hike on January 10 in southeast Ohio to learn all about the evergreen plants that grow in the Clear Creek area.
- Bedford Reservation Trails (Cleveland Metroparks)
tde1973/Flickr The Bedford Reservation trails in northeast Ohio are gorgeous year-round, but in the winter they are absolutely stunning. If you’re feeling ambitious, check out the “Extreme Hiking” on January 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Egbert Picnic Area. You’ll explore 6 - 7 miles of winter wonderland trails with a professional naturalist at this event.
- Towpath Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Cuyahoga jco/Flickr For a less challenging (but equally scenic) winter hike, consider taking the “Full Moon Hike” at Cuyahoga Valley National Park on January 12 at 6:30 p.m. It’s an easy, 3.5-mile hike along the Towpath Trail that’s downright magical in the wintertime.
- Possum Creek Metropark Trails (Five Rivers Metroparks)
Five Rivers MetroParks/Facebook Take this easy 5-mile hike through a southwest Ohio winter wonderland at Possum Creek Metropark on January 15 at 1:30 p.m.
- Clifton Gorge Trails (John Bryan State Park)
Ted/Flickr Although it can be challenging, exploring Clifton Gorge and other areas of this beautiful state park in the winter makes for a downright magical hiking experience.
Have you hiked any of these trails in the winter before? What is your favorite trail to hike in Ohio during the winter? Share your experiences, thoughts and photos with us!
Mike King/Flickr
This hiking trail is stunning no matter what season, but during the colder months it transforms into a real life winter wonderland you have to see to believe. The 52nd Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike will take place on January 21 at 9 a.m. It’s a 6-mile group hike from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave.
Ceasar Creek State Park/Facebook
Take this southwest Ohio park’s First Day Hike on January 1 at 1 p.m. to hike 3 miles and see a frozen Horseshow Falls and the park’s snow covered swinging bridge.
tde1973/Flickr
Every Tuesday in January 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, this gorgeous metropark will feature the Winter Hike Series, which includes 3 miles of hilly trails.
Carl Shepard/Flickr
Each winter Ohio’s very own national park features stunning snowshoe hikes. This coming January, consider taking the “Off the Beaten Path: Winter Waterway” hike on January 7 at 9 a.m., which features a moderate 3-mile hike along the Buckeye Trail.
Mike/Flickr
Youngstown’s metro park features some beautiful scenery and landmarks. The 1.5-mile asphalt surface East Cohasset Hike/Bike Trail features a scenic route above Lake Cohasset. It’s downright magical in the winter months.
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks/Facebook
Adventurous seniors (ages 50+) are invited to take this rugged 3-mile hike on January 10 in southeast Ohio to learn all about the evergreen plants that grow in the Clear Creek area.
tde1973/Flickr
The Bedford Reservation trails in northeast Ohio are gorgeous year-round, but in the winter they are absolutely stunning. If you’re feeling ambitious, check out the “Extreme Hiking” on January 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Egbert Picnic Area. You’ll explore 6 - 7 miles of winter wonderland trails with a professional naturalist at this event.
Cuyahoga jco/Flickr
For a less challenging (but equally scenic) winter hike, consider taking the “Full Moon Hike” at Cuyahoga Valley National Park on January 12 at 6:30 p.m. It’s an easy, 3.5-mile hike along the Towpath Trail that’s downright magical in the wintertime.
Five Rivers MetroParks/Facebook
Take this easy 5-mile hike through a southwest Ohio winter wonderland at Possum Creek Metropark on January 15 at 1:30 p.m.
Ted/Flickr
Although it can be challenging, exploring Clifton Gorge and other areas of this beautiful state park in the winter makes for a downright magical hiking experience.
And for more winter fun in Ohio, be sure to check out our previous article, 11 Winter Festivals In Ohio That Are Simply Unforgettable.
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