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The Wonders of Winter Hiking

By Marge Loch-Wouters | Winter 2025-26

Writer Marge Loch-Wouters loves the scenery of winter hiking. / Photo courtesy Marge Loch-Wouters

Marge Loch-Wouters is a Minnesota Master Naturalist whose passion is the outdoors and hiking in the Driftless region. Her blog, Hiking the Driftless Trails, publishes trail reviews, gear and safety tips, suggested seasonal hikes, essays on nature, and observations of insect, plant, and animal life. Her goal is to ensure everyone can enjoy the wonder of hiking in the Driftless, no matter one’s age or physical condition.

Brrr…it’s cold outside! That means it’s time to get out the snowshoes, the skis, and the hiking boots. Wait, hiking boots?!?

Absolutely! With the right gear and some planning, the winter months can be a wonderful time for hiking. While flora, fauna, and fungi are tucked away, bare trees open up views of vistas and geological features often hidden in leafier seasons. Brush dies back, making previously overgrown, lesser-used trails easier to explore. And, uh, no bugs.

Indeed, this season provides a whole new world of hiking experiences and choices. There are four main components to a successful winter hike: finding the right hike for the weather, wearing the right layers, having the right gear, and dealing with thawing trails.

Marge encourages folks to get out on the trails, no matter the weather or your age. / Photo courtesy Marge Loch-Wouters

Planning for Winter Hikes

To begin your winter hiking, choose start times in the “heat” of the day. Look for trails that have views of the river, interesting rock formations, nearby bluffs, or deer trails to explore. On a windy day, try coniferous forests or bluffside hikes that take you below the rims to gain protection. If you have a sunny day with little wind, choose a blufftop and enjoy the vistas.

If you are hiking in snow on shared trails, remember trail etiquette. Avoid freshly groomed trails used for cross-country skiing or winter biking. Stay to the right or left of the groomed trail. When crossing ski or bike tracks, lift your feet (or snowshoes) high to avoid disturbing them – it’s a helpful art to learn, and winter adventurers will thank you!

Layers

The key to comfort while hiking is dryness, lightness, and breathability in your clothes and outerwear. Choose light wool or synthetics for your base layer that help wick away moisture. Add an additional shirt and light/heavy sweater on top of that layer, depending on the temperature.

For outer layers, think light and wind/water resistant. You don’t need bulky pants, jackets, or vests if you have the right base and mid layers. This allows for more freedom of movement as you hike.

A neck gaiter or balaclava is a versatile way to protect your neck and lower face. If it’s a windy day, consider using a protective lotion or Vaseline on exposed skin. Wear a warm hat (or ear-warmer, if you run hot). Hiking with a small backpack lets you add/subtract layers as you hike.

Great gear can make for a great hike. / Photo courtesy Marge Loch-Wouters

Gear

Look for waterproof, insulated hiking boots like my favorites – Merrells’ Thermo Kiruna 2 Waterproof boots – that keep your feet warm but are still light and flexible.

A great purchase that can really open the world of winter hiking is a set of microspikes for traction. They slip on over boots, providing stability and grip on icy or slippery snow surfaces. Ice cleats and ice walkers are a less expensive alternative.

If you are hiking during hunting seasons, wear blaze orange – hat, vest, jacket – so you can be easily seen.

Winter Thaws

We have been experiencing more frequent periods of winter thaws. This means more freeze-thaw cycles on trails. Boot prints that are left on muddy, thawing trails contribute to erosion and trail degradation. If you are leaving boot prints on a thawed trail, please turn back. Instead, temporarily hike trails that are paved, gravel, or grassy until the ground firms up again.

Be mindful of trail conditions before heading out. / Photo courtesy Marge Loch-Wouters

Check out a few Driftless winter hiking trails:

Yellow River Forest – Luster Heights Unit (IA) Relatively flat area with some rolling hills and magnificent views of the Mississippi River. Spectacular rocks too! 5 miles south of Harper’s Ferry, turn left off IA Hwy 364 onto Luster Height Road. Parking lot is one mile in on the left. GPS: 43.136979, -91.187074

Great River Bluffs State Park (MN) – Many iconic overlooks on forested trails. Some steep and rolling spots on south trails, so cool weather is your friend. 43605 Kipp Dr, Winona, MN 

Upper Hixon Forest Trails (WI) – Bluffside trails below the rim offer great wind protection and wide views in winter’s “see-through” season. N2788 County Road FA – La Crosse, WI

Reno Quarry (MN) – Head up the short quarry trail for expansive Mississippi River views. Then head down and north for incredible sandstone rock formations on the bluffs edge. 7.6 miles north of New Albin, Iowa, turn left at Reno Recreation Area sign (Hillside Rd). Go 1.4 miles to small parking lot on right. GPS: 43.61773, -91.27451

Beaver Creek Valley State Park (MN) – The rim trails are full of dramatic rocks; also beautiful is the trail that runs on either side of the trout stream. With leaves down, the rocks and narrow valley walls are breathtaking. 15954 County
Rd 1, Caledonia, MN  See you on the winter trails!

Marge Loch-Wouters


Marge Loch-Wouters is a Minnesota Master Naturalist living in La Crescent. Her Hiking the Driftless Trails blog encourages everyone to head out on the trails, no matter your age or physical condition.
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