Wildlands Conservancy Preserve Manager Michael Hock loves a quiet, snowy hike where he can see streams frozen over into unique ice formations and enjoy scenic views looking down over the Lehigh Valley.
If you’d also like to explore winter hiking, Hock offered his top three recommendations for getting outside this season, along with advice for staying safe and warm.
Remember to research your route ahead of time, know your limits and watch out for changing weather conditions, Hock said.
Hikers should wear warm base layers and layer up with jackets, hats and gloves, Hock said, adding that wool socks are a good example of clothing built for being active in the cold.
“Anything that helps keep moisture away from your body, keeps you dry while hiking is really, really important this time of year,” Hock said, “so dress appropriately and think about those conditions to stay warm yet dry.”
Here’s a look at the Wildlands Conservancy recommended winter hikes:
South Mountain Preserve
Parking location: 554 Alpine St, Emmaus, PA 18049
This 440-acre preserve has 12.5 miles of interconnected loop trails near both Allentown and Emmaus.
Visitors must take a steep, rocky trail up to the top of the mountain before branching off, making this spot most appropriate for experienced hikers.
Explorers of this preserve can enjoy scenic stream crossings and access remote locations deep in the woods.
“You can really feel like there’s nobody around you, which is an interesting experience in the Lehigh Valley,” Hock said.
Sharon Carpenito gets her hiking poles ready before joining the other members of Lehigh Valley Women of Adventure on a hike Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Wildlands Conservancy South Mountain Preserve in Emmaus. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Black River Sanctuary
Parking location: 3390 Church Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Allentown and Bethlehem residents have easy access to the 3.5 miles of trails in this 187-acre preserve.
Those approaching the trails from the Church Road parking lot can access a more mild incline that creates a hike of intermediate difficulty.
Wildlife, including deer, turkey, fox, coyote and songbirds, frequent this preserve. The landscape includes both dense forest and meadow spaces.
“You can really gradually work your way to the top and get a nice viewpoint of downtown Allentown and the surrounding landscapes,” Hock said.
Eileen Lederman of Allentown hikes on the Horizon Trail during a Wildlands Conservancy First Day Hike on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at the Wildlands Conservancy’s new 187-acre Black River Sanctuary preserve on top of South Mountain in Salisbury and Upper Saucon townships. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Brenner-Penfield Macungie Mountain Preserve
Parking location: 6691 Sweetwood Dr, Macungie, PA 18062
This 57-acre preserve is adjacent to the 11-acre Reimert Memorial Bird Haven. Between the two, visitors can access 2 miles of trail that offer intermediate to difficult hiking.
The bird haven is aptly named and is a hotspot for local bird watchers, Hock said.
Hikers can ascend to the popular Sheep Rock overlook. In the winter time, there’s a cool view through the trees of the surrounding landscape, including Macungie, Allentown and Trexlertown, Hock said.
“It’s a nice view,” Hock said, “kind of quiet up there.”
Reimert Memorial Bird Haven in Macungie.(TOM GETTINGS/ Special to TMC)
In addition to the Wildlands Conservancy recommendations, here are some additional popular spots to check out:
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Parking location: 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064
The 1,168 acre site features an old growth forest and the trout-stocked Bushkill Creek. Its 18 miles of trails are open to mountain bikers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers and snowshoers in addition to hikers.
Trails range in difficulty from easy to more difficult with distances spanning just under a mile to nearly 5 miles.
The site also has a visitor center open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tim Schneider of Whitehall Township navigates melting ice Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, on the Henry’s Woods Trail at Jacobsburg state park in Bushkill Township. Schneider says he came to check out the trail for a day trip with his wife and that it is a really nice location.The high temperature reached into the 50s Wednesday, well above the average 30 degrees on Jan. 7. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
Trexler Preserve
Parking location: 5150 Game Preserve Rd. Schnecksville, Pennsylvania 18078
The 1495 acres of this Lehigh County nature preserve offer more than 20 miles of trail.
Options range from a 1.2-mile Covered Bridge Trail that meets accessibility standards to a challenging 8.5-mile hike around the preserve’s perimeter.
Cross-country skiers and snowshoers can also enjoy the preserve’s trails and utilize the open areas on the North and Central Ranges. Trails are not groomed for cross-country skiing.
People bundle up for cold weather Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, as they explore Trexler Nature Preserve with their pets in North Whitehall Township.
Appalachian Trail
Parking location: Appalachian Trail parking, Walnutport, PA 18088 (gravel road off Rt. 248)
The Pennsylvania portions of the Appalachian Trail are known to be difficult and rocky, but there are options for those seeking to access this famous thoroughfare in all seasons.
The blue-blazed Winter Trail follows an old railroad bed and offers a relatively less difficult option at a location where the Appalachian Trail climbs steeply out of the Lehigh Gap.
Located across the Lehigh River from the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, the Winter Trail section remains accessible when snow or ice renders the rocky scrambles of the Appalachian Trail ascent unsafe.
Moore Township Appalachian Trail. photo taken on Oct, 9, 2014. (APRIL GAMIZ / THE MORNING CALL)