One of the biggest issues with the winter time is lack of willingness or drive to actually get outside and take a hike. Enter the Winter Hike Series with the Metro Parks of Franklin County. I was able to speak with Peggy Hanley, the director of the winter hike series, now in its 45th year of existence. The main goal is to encourage people to stay active throughout the winter time in Central Ohio, which is sometimes hard when it is cold, dark and snowy. 

Each week features one of 13 Metro Parks and you are able to do a 1-mile, 3-mile or 5-mile (if available) hike, followed by hot cocoa and soups and even marshmallow roasting! If you complete all 13 hikes, you get a patch, which is a pretty cool prize just for taking a hike once a week!

"For several in the community, it is a tradition among families and or friends that have been going on for years," Peggy mentioned.

The schedule for the Winter Hike Series can be found each year on their website!

Since many of our Metro Parks are located in the suburban areas of Columbus, there are a few places to swing by before or after:

• BrewDog, located in Canal Winchester near Three Creeks Metro Park

• German Village and the Book Loft, located in downtown Columbus, near the Scioto Audubon Metro Park

• IKEA, located near the Highbanks Metro Park where you can pick up all the POÄNG and VIDGA your heart desires!

Thanks for being a part of our community.  We appreciate YOU!  Do you have anything you would add on your favorite local metro park?  Comment below!

Because Adventure Feeds the Soul,
Amy and the Hashtag 59 Team