Metro Parks 50th Annual Winter Hike Series
No matter how far, no matter when, Metro Parks Winter Hikes have a trail for you to enjoy! Hike under the Twinkling Lights in December and in January and February enjoy hot drinks and treats or search for a collectible winter hike wooden ornament along the trail. Each month will feature different parks where you can take a walk, get your hike card stamped and maybe join a group for a walk. Bundle up, choose your route, grab a friend and go for a hike this winter in your Metro Parks.
- Visit the parks highlighted and hike any trail during the designated month.
- Have a staff member stamp your Winter Hike card.
- Hike 7 parks to earn a Metro Parks Winter Hike patch.
- Join us at the celebration on February 26, 2023 to receive your new Winter Hike patch.
- Visit Friends of Metro Parks to find out how to earn hike medallions and additional swag by hiking all 20 parks!
Winter Hike Kick-Off
December 3, 2022 from 5-7 pm at Inniswood Metro Garden
Join us at the Innis House for hot chocolate and take a walk through the gardens under the twinkling lights.
December
Twinkling Lights
Walk under the twinkling lights at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Highbanks, Homestead and Inniswood during the month of December. The lights go on at dark. Walk at any time. Or come out to Chestnut Ridge for special evening lantern walks and hot chocolate on Friday December 9, 2022 & Saturday December 10, 2022, from 5–6:30pm.
Photo: Gil Sears
Photo: Melissa Turpening
January
Start the New Year with Metro Parks
Gather your friends and family for a hike on any trail at Clear Creek, Prairie Oaks, Rocky Fork, Scioto Audubon, Scioto Grove, Sharon Woods, Slate Run and Walnut Woods.
Enjoy refreshments at parks during the times listed.
Saturday January 7, 10am-1pm Prairie Oaks
Saturday January 14, 10am- 1pm Sharon Woods
Saturday January 21, 10am-1pm Scioto Audubon
Saturday January 28, 10am-1pm Clear Creek
As you hike the trails, search for Metro Parks wooden ornaments to take home as our gift to visitors! Find them at Walnut Woods the week of January 7, Slate Run the week of January 14, Rocky Fork the week of January 21 and Scioto Grove the week of January 28.
February
Love from Metro Parks!
Choose a trail you love and take a hike at Blendon Woods, Glacier Ridge, Heritage Trail, Pickerington Ponds, Quarry Trails and Three Creeks.
Enjoy hot drinks and a treat at parks during the times listed.
Saturday February 4, 10am-1pm Blendon Woods
Saturday February 11, 10am-1pm Glacier Ridge
Saturday February 18, 10am-1pm Three Creeks
As you hike the trails, search for Metro Parks wooden ornaments to take home as our gift to visitors! Find them at Pickerington Ponds the week of February 4, Heritage Trail the week of February 11 and Quarry Trails the week of February 18.
Winter Hike Celebration!
Sunday, February 26, 2023 11am-3pm at Blacklick Golf Course
Hike along the paths of our Audubon Sanctuary Golf Course, collect your Winter Hike patch or Friends of Metro Parks hiking stick and medallion, enjoy hot chocolate, warm up by the fire and search for wooden ornaments along the trail.
Photo: John Nixon