Get out and enjoy the fresh air in our beautiful metro parks this winter. Get healthy and enjoy the beautiful scenery around our metro parks with the Annual Winter Hike Series with Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks.
For the 2022/2023 series, the hikes are not guided or scheduled. Visit the parks and hike any trail on your own schedule, pace, and distance. Each month will feature different parks where you can take a stroll, get your hike card stamped and join a group for a walk if you wish.
Pick up your Winter Hike card at a featured park beginning December 3 or download the travel guide from the website https://www.metroparks.net/winter-hikes/. After you hike, ask a staff member to stamp the card.
After the series, join 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.
Virginia Gordon, Coyote Run Trail Highbanks Metro Park
Columbus Metro Parks Winter Hike Series
Take a hike – on your own schedule – at these parks during each month, and get your booklet stamped!
While you can hike any time and any trail to have your card stamped, there will be select dates where they will be offering refreshments during the day.
Winter Hike Kick-off
December 3, 5-7pm at Inniswood Metro Garden.
Visit 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.
December 9-10: Lantern Walk with hot chocolate at Chestnut Ridge from 5-6:30 pm
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.
Hike anytime, or 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.
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 your favorite trail and hike at Blendon Woods, Glacier Ridge, Heritage Trail, Pickerington Ponds, Quarry Trails and Three Creeks.
Hike anytime , or enjoy refreshments 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! 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.
Cheryl Blair, Blendon Woods winter hike
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We love finding and sharing about deals on Columbus on the Cheap.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Looking for more metro park fun?
Find upcoming fun at the parks on the Facebook pages!
Quarry Trails Facebook page
Battelle Darby Creek Facebook page
Blacklick Woods Facebook page
Blendon Woods Facebook page
Clear Creek Facebook page
Glacier Ridge Facebook page
Highbanks Facebook page
Homestead Facebook page
Inniswood Facebook page
Sharon Woods Facebook page
Three Creeks Facebook page
Outdoor Adventure Facebook page.
Contact info for Columbus Metro Parks
metroparks.net
winterhikes@metroparks.net
614.508.8000
info@metroparks.net
Reservations: 614.508.8111
facebook.com/Columbus.Metro.Parks
instagram.com/cbusmetroparks
twitter.com/CbusMetroParks
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Val Cannell says
I’m sorry that was your experience. I messaged the Metro Parks on Facebook and they said they are still offering the mugs for the donations. Perhaps you can send them a message and let them know your experience? Maybe they’ll let you pick up a mug if you aren’t able to go on another hike.
Leonard Mase says
Nope. I brought personal hygiene items to Slate Run Winter Hike for Mid-Ohio donation.
They did not offer the free mug as advertised for doing this.
Val Cannell says
Thanks for letting me know. At some point it seems to have changed to personal hygiene item or $5 Mid Ohio Foodbank donation for a mug, but I’ve sent an inquiry to verify.
Leonard Mase says
Forget about the free mug for food donation. They were not offered at the Winter Hike at Slate Run Metro Park this weekend.
admin says
That’s a good question, but I’m not sure. Since pets are allowed at most parks, I wouldn’t think that they would have a problem with a leashed, well-behaved dog on the hike, but if you want to be sure, you could call and ask: (614) 508-8111
Edited to add: I called the main line and was told that different parks have different pet-friendly trails, so it would depend on each specific hike. One easy way to get an answer for each hike you are interested in is to contact them via Facebook or comment on the hike event page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Columbus.Metro.Parks/
Kara says
Are these hikes pet friendly?