5 Tips For Hiking In The Winter
Cold, crystal days of radiant sky; frigid afternoons of slashing rain and slushy drifts; glittering snow; biting wind; puddle ice that cracks in musical tones if you break it - winter in temperate climates has some of the best and worst days for hiking. Though the leaves are gone, the cold is forbidding, and ice can make for treacherous footing, winter offers special beauties, too.
When it’s safe and conditions are favorable, these snowy or icy hikes can offer some of the sweetest memories. I’m not an expert hiker, but I’ve enjoyed and endured enough treks to know a few things.
01 | Dress right.
This one is obvious: if you forget your gloves, neglect a hat/balaclava/scarf to protect your ears and head, or wear thin cotton socks that get wet and stick to your skin and freeze your toes, you will not have as much fun. There are plenty of resources out there about good winter hiking gear, so I’ll be brief: layers of fleece, wool, and nylon or something water-and-wind-proof as an outer layer are your friends. I would err on the side of being too warm - and on the side of styles and colors that make you feel pretty.
02 | Plan for golden hour.
Depending on your latitude, winter light can be the richest and most radiant because the sun is low in the sky. Don’t miss out on the magic hour just after sunrise and before sunset. Morning golden hour might be too cold and too early, so evening golden hour may be the best time to linger on the hilltop or on the edge of the lake. You’ll want to get back to somewhere warm and safe before dark, but you have about a half hour of civil twilight (that dim blue glow) after sunset.
I would not encourage recklessness, but when it comes to timing, don’t be afraid if you end up cutting it close. Some of my favorite memories are of racing back from a hike, laughing, trying to beat the dark. Note that at dusk, reflective gear or white clothing will glow and help you keep track of each other in the shadows.
03 | Know the conditions.
This may seem overly specific, but I learned the hard way to stay inside if the temperature is less than 35 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind speed is more than 23 miles per hour. A warm, blustery day will whip up your hair, turn your cheeks pink, and cheer you up, and a cold, still one can be enchanting, but a frigid gale burns your skin and cuts through the thickest layers. If the wind speed is more than 30 miles per hour, I would stay indoors and play board games. 40 miles per hour gusts are strong enough to knock you over.
Is the snow fresh and clean, or old and icy? Is the ice slick with condensation, or the result of heavy rainfall that went everywhere? You can use snowshoes, microspikes, or other tech to give you traction, but if your hike involves elevation, make sure your footing is safe. Sliding down a mountain is very fun, except when you didn’t intend to.
04 | Choose routes with variety.
Long, snowy fields edged by wooden fences and the occasional red barn; mountains of swaying pines and stunning vistas; lakes and rivers covered with sparkling ice; cozy neighborhoods that have stubbornly kept their holiday lights up; lonely beaches brimming with the mystery of sea smoke; there are so many pleasures to a good winter hike. Hikes with changes in elevation and a variety of views are the most fun.
I use AllTrails to research the best ones, filtering my search for hikes rated with 4+ stars, a reasonable distance, and enough elevation to make things interesting (at least 300 feet, if not more), and whatever other features you like (I like views and waterfalls).
Bonus tip: AllTrails reviews are a delight in themselves. They often contain far more than notes on the route and weather conditions—people will recount their life stories and make hilarious comments.
05 | Power up.
The cold can sometimes play tricks on phones, so make sure you have yours in a warm pocket. Taking photos drains your battery quickly, so consider bringing a portable charger or designate one person as the navigator and non-picture-taker.
In these cold months between the bright holidays and freshness of spring, we need to treat ourselves a little. Consider these snowy hikes a way to drink in the goodness of a quiet, sleeping, sparkling world.
