Once winter arrives in Greater Cleveland, the region glitters and gleams with icy waterways. Lakes, rivers, and streams become an entrancing winter wonderland once frost arrives, and they remain surreal and dreamy until spring covers them in verdant brilliance. Many of our loveliest water features are accompanied by a trail, allowing you to get up close to their splendor while simultaneously defeating cabin fever. Bundle up, because these 13 beautiful hikes will have you craving more outdoor adventure:

  1. Sanctuary Marsh Loop Trail, North Chagrin Reservation

Alice S/TripAdvisor

Ellen A/TripAdvisor At less than a half mile, this hike offers the perfect way to see if you can survive the chill of wintertime hiking. You’ll gaze upon the frozen landscape of Sunset Pond and Sanctuary Marsh, and you may even decide to swing by the North Chagrin Nature Center to warm up.

  1. The lakefront trail at Miller Road Park

Jdoughtry/TripAdvisor This Lake Erie site is super dreamy, and the park is a cozy 14 acres (which is a reasonable distance to traverse if you’re a freeze baby like me). The pier becomes a scene straight out of a dream when its icy silhouette is glowing in the sunset.

  1. Lower Lake Trail, Crowell Hilaka Park

© Gabe Leidy Photography

dreamcatcher574/TripAdvisor This charming park dates back to 1811, when it first served as Heman Oviatt’s farm. After its years as a farm, this charming wooded landscape was known as Camp Crowell Hilaka. Today it’s a 336-acre park, and its beauty is mesmerizing. Many consider Lower Lake Trail to be the most beautiful on the site, skirting the lake and taking visitors through the loveliest bluffs and forested areas. Bundle up, because you could spend hours at this park.

  1. River Overlook Loop Trail at Rocky River Reservation

Ben Stephenson/Flickr

Jen Goellnitz/Flickr A wintertime visit to this spectacularly forested river will take your breath away. Walk along the river bank or stroll through the forest to watch birds… either option is beautiful in its own way. For the best of both worlds, take a short hike along the River Overlook Loop. At a mere .3 miles in length, it’s a reasonable distance to traverse for the views of the Rocky River Valley.

  1. Hinckley Lake Loop Trail, Hinckley Reservation

Michelle/Flickr This trail is perfect for those sunny days with very little breeze. At 3.3 miles, this loop trail can be a bit rigorous for especially chilly days, so be sure to check the weather before you head out. With that being said, this trail is worth walking in the winter. Hinckley Lake is an absolute gem when its banks are coated in snow, and its landscape will leave you in awe.

  1. Wade Lagoon, University Circle

Erik Drost/Flickr

Erik Drost/Flickr This public park is adjacent to some of Cleveland’s loveliest attractions, including Severance Hall and the Cleveland Museum of Art. In fact, some of the museum’s collections seem to have spilled onto the lagoon grounds, which are spectacular in every season. In the winter, this picturesque lagoon could easily be a scene out of a Christmas movie.

  1. The All People’s Trail, Shaker Nature Center

stu_spivack/Flickr This entrancing landscape is actually home to six natural habitats, including a lake, stream, and marsh. For the ultimate waterfront walk, check out The All People’s Trail, a railed, elevated boardwalk that takes you up close to the marsh and stream. From this trail you can also access the lovely lake habitat. Bring a camera, because this experience is out of this world.

  1. Lakefront Loop, Lakefront Reservation

© Gabe Leidy Photography This waterfront walk is one that you will never forget. Explore the loveliest parts of Lake Erie along this 2.3-mile stretch, which takes an estimated 40 minutes to traverse. For the full article on this lovely hike, click here.

  1. All purpose trail, Euclid Creek Reservation

infowidget/Flickr

infowidget/Wikipemedia Commons No, you’re not in an Audi commercial. This lovely landscape is part of the Cleveland Metroparks, The best way to explore its wonders is to stroll along its all purpose trail, which follows Euclid Creek for about 2.5 miles.

  1. Lakefront trail, Chippewa Lake

Jo M/TripAdvisor Located in the rural countryside of Medina County, this massive lake has been a scenic hangout since the days of the megafauna. Today, it offers an incredible escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

  1. Beachfront walkway, Lakeview Park

Rona Proudfoot/Flickr

Rona Proudfoot/Flickr Lakeview Park has delighted locals for generations, but only the bravest know that this charming Lorain County Metro Park is best visited in the winter. Its beach and 1920s Bathhouse are perfectly picturesque, and the landscape will give you a warm and cozy feeling despite the lakefront breeze.

  1. Hiking trail, Hudson Springs Park

Steve P/TripAdvisor This park is a hidden gem, and it’s so big that we can’t help but wonder how it stayed hidden for so long. The crown jewel of this 260-acre park is a gigantic lake that spans a total of 50 acres. Two miles of trail loop around the lake, so bundle up and get ready for a dreamy and scenic stroll.

  1. Lorain Water Trail, Vermilion River Reservation

Rona Proudfoot/Flickr If you ever find yourself about an hour west of Cleveland, this breathtaking park is a must-see. After your hike, consider warming up at the Carriage Barn and Museum.

Northeast Ohio is speckled with dreamy waterways that become absolutely stunning as snow arrives. These dreamy waterfront trails offer the perfect way to keep cabin fever at bay, so bundle up, grab some hot cocoa to go, and let’s hit the trails!

Alice S/TripAdvisor

Ellen A/TripAdvisor

At less than a half mile, this hike offers the perfect way to see if you can survive the chill of wintertime hiking. You’ll gaze upon the frozen landscape of Sunset Pond and Sanctuary Marsh, and you may even decide to swing by the North Chagrin Nature Center to warm up.

Jdoughtry/TripAdvisor

This Lake Erie site is super dreamy, and the park is a cozy 14 acres (which is a reasonable distance to traverse if you’re a freeze baby like me). The pier becomes a scene straight out of a dream when its icy silhouette is glowing in the sunset.

© Gabe Leidy Photography

dreamcatcher574/TripAdvisor

This charming park dates back to 1811, when it first served as Heman Oviatt’s farm. After its years as a farm, this charming wooded landscape was known as Camp Crowell Hilaka. Today it’s a 336-acre park, and its beauty is mesmerizing. Many consider Lower Lake Trail to be the most beautiful on the site, skirting the lake and taking visitors through the loveliest bluffs and forested areas. Bundle up, because you could spend hours at this park.

Ben Stephenson/Flickr

Jen Goellnitz/Flickr

A wintertime visit to this spectacularly forested river will take your breath away. Walk along the river bank or stroll through the forest to watch birds… either option is beautiful in its own way. For the best of both worlds, take a short hike along the River Overlook Loop. At a mere .3 miles in length, it’s a reasonable distance to traverse for the views of the Rocky River Valley.

Michelle/Flickr

This trail is perfect for those sunny days with very little breeze. At 3.3 miles, this loop trail can be a bit rigorous for especially chilly days, so be sure to check the weather before you head out. With that being said, this trail is worth walking in the winter. Hinckley Lake is an absolute gem when its banks are coated in snow, and its landscape will leave you in awe.

Erik Drost/Flickr

This public park is adjacent to some of Cleveland’s loveliest attractions, including Severance Hall and the Cleveland Museum of Art. In fact, some of the museum’s collections seem to have spilled onto the lagoon grounds, which are spectacular in every season. In the winter, this picturesque lagoon could easily be a scene out of a Christmas movie.

stu_spivack/Flickr

This entrancing landscape is actually home to six natural habitats, including a lake, stream, and marsh. For the ultimate waterfront walk, check out The All People’s Trail, a railed, elevated boardwalk that takes you up close to the marsh and stream. From this trail you can also access the lovely lake habitat. Bring a camera, because this experience is out of this world.

This waterfront walk is one that you will never forget. Explore the loveliest parts of Lake Erie along this 2.3-mile stretch, which takes an estimated 40 minutes to traverse. For the full article on this lovely hike, click here.

infowidget/Flickr

infowidget/Wikipemedia Commons

No, you’re not in an Audi commercial. This lovely landscape is part of the Cleveland Metroparks, The best way to explore its wonders is to stroll along its all purpose trail, which follows Euclid Creek for about 2.5 miles.

Jo M/TripAdvisor

Located in the rural countryside of Medina County, this massive lake has been a scenic hangout since the days of the megafauna. Today, it offers an incredible escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Rona Proudfoot/Flickr

Lakeview Park has delighted locals for generations, but only the bravest know that this charming Lorain County Metro Park is best visited in the winter. Its beach and 1920s Bathhouse are perfectly picturesque, and the landscape will give you a warm and cozy feeling despite the lakefront breeze.

Steve P/TripAdvisor

This park is a hidden gem, and it’s so big that we can’t help but wonder how it stayed hidden for so long. The crown jewel of this 260-acre park is a gigantic lake that spans a total of 50 acres. Two miles of trail loop around the lake, so bundle up and get ready for a dreamy and scenic stroll.

If you ever find yourself about an hour west of Cleveland, this breathtaking park is a must-see. After your hike, consider warming up at the Carriage Barn and Museum.

For more icy fun, check out these incredible winter destinations.

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