8 of the Most Beautiful Winter Hikes to Take Around the U.S.

"If you're quick to put away your hiking boots the moment cooler temperatures arrive, you're missing out. In the winter, the best hiking trails across the U.S. mostly clear out-you might be able to walk for miles without seeing another soul. The trick to hiking in the cold is to make sure you have the necessary gear. Appropriate footwear and versatile, lightweight layers are key."

"If you're worried about the weather, a good rule of thumb is to keep as much of your skin covered as possible. Also, make sure you always check the forecast and conditions before hitting the trail. Give yourself plenty of time to hike before darkness falls and the views you came for disappear. Ready to warm up with a wintry walk in the woods? Strap on a pair of snowshoes or good winter hiking boots and set your sights on glittering white fields."

Winter hiking across the U.S. provides quieter trails and solitary miles when temperatures drop. Success requires appropriate footwear, versatile lightweight layers, and keeping skin covered to manage cold. Always check forecasts and trail conditions before departing and allow ample time to finish before darkness. Snowshoes or winter hiking boots enable travel across snowy fields, while southern routes offer dry terrain when avoiding snow. Recommended winter hikes include Telluride's Jud Wiebe Trail, which stays relatively dry thanks to Colorado sunshine and accepts microspikes after storms, and Tennessee's Cumberland Trail, offering quiet refuge and scenic sections like the 9.5-mile Possum Creek Gorge.

Read at Travel + Leisure