COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cold and snow are no excuse to avoid Ohio’s 75 state parks and numerous local parks.

In fact, during the winter, “The wildlife and the waterfalls really start to pop and shine," said Kyle Casey, a naturalist with Ohio State Parks. Winter creates the perfect backdrop to spot a vibrant red cardinal or beautiful blue jay. They stand out amongst otherwise bleak surroundings.

Dave Romer is an active hiker and the sights of nature are an added bonus on his adventures. He's a former marathon runner who took to hiking as a lower-impact alternative.  

“I ran for a very long time and then after running, I started realizing that the pavement wasn’t my friend, and so I started hiking,” said Romer.

Romer began with a group hike in the Columbus and Franklin Country Metro Parks and eventually started his own local hiking group. 

“We bring in 20, 30, 40 people to the hikes,” he said.

For Romer, the allure of hiking goes beyond just fitness. For him and his hiking companions, it’s about enjoying the trails, regardless of the season.

“Winter is a little bit different. I’ll tell you, the nice thing about hiking throughout the year, even every week, it’s different. The sun sets at a different angle. The temperatures are different. The noises are different. Even though it’s the same trail, it’s very different,” said Romer.

However, hiking in winter months does require extra precautions to stay safe. Trekking poles can help hikers with slippery surfaces and evenly distribute weight while navigating rocky terrain. Dressing in layers can also help make sure you’re covered in changing weather conditions. And, always remember to pack plenty of water.  

“Always have water. Believe it or not, most folks forget that you can dehydrate in the winter just as easy as you can in the summertime,” said Casey.

Romer also recommends traveling with at least one other person. If you’re looking for a hiking partner, he suggests searching for those with similar interests on meetup.com. He said it’s a great resource to learn about various trails all across the state.