Winter Hiking

Chasing snowy trails and beautiful views with Hike & Stroll Rochester

Nature is a furious yet gentle atmosphere that constantly invites exploration. Walking outside is one of the most underrated, yet deeply favored, activities. Often, the real adventure and challenge is simply knowing where to go.

That’s where Carrie, founder of Hike and Stroll Rochester, comes in. A lifelong hiker, Carrie understands the quiet power of being on a trail. She launched her online hiking resource as a passion project, a simple, accessible way for others to discover trails throughout Upstate NY.

There’s magic in every season, even winter—you just have to bundle up and step outside.

Over the years, Carrie has explored breathtaking landscapes across the globe, from the Canadian Rockies to Norway and Austria. No matter where she goes, one thing remains constant: her love for the outdoors. For much of her life, she’s pursued jaw-dropping views and tackled challenging landscapes. Becoming a parent shifted her priorities, but her adventure-seeking boots never stopped moving.

She says, “A few years ago when I had my first child, I started looking for stroller-friendly paths to take her on hikes and walks, since we love hiking and I didn’t want to stop going out into nature after having kids.”

Carrie initially found trails through various websites, but the more she discovered new paths on her own, the more she realized a single, reliable resource was missing. So, she created one herself.

Her passion for the outdoors led her to launch a growing resource designed to invite hikers of all levels to discover open paths that prompt us to unplug and look around. She says, “Since having kids, I’ve been a lot more focused on finding the beauty all around me, slowing down, and noticing the little things in nature.”

When Carrie began sharing hiking locations, her very first post featured the paved path at the Ellison Park North Landing Entrance. This was the first outing her family took after their daughter was born, and it quickly became a meaningful place for them. It’s moments like these Carrie hopes to inspire in others.

Her site features over 250 locations with photos, information about trail surfaces, key features, and even an easy-to-use pin-map, allowing users to click on a location and discover a new path to explore. Featured spots range from gentle, paved walks near museums to quiet forest trails tucked beneath a canopy of trees.

It’s all about helping people find the right trails for them, highlighting stroller-friendly routes, kid-friendly adventures, and accessible viewpoints so everyone can enjoy nature. That’s the heart of Hike and Stroll Rochester: creating an approachable, no-excuses guide to getting outside.

Embracing Winter

When winter arrives, hiking can become more difficult, but it’s not impossible. For Carrie, it's about adjusting, not stopping. She says, “It can be a lot harder to get out hiking in winter. Trails can be more challenging, especially with children. They require more gear, and the cold temperatures can be uncomfortable. But once you’re out on the trail, it can be spectacular.”

Winter brings a peace that other seasons don’t. Snow transforms familiar trails into something entirely new, and the sound of winter is a calming soundtrack to love. Carrie says, “Everything looks different and especially wonderful covered in snow. There are also no bugs, which is a huge plus!”

Carrie continues to map new outdoor escapes encouraging us to brave the cold, and her process is a mix of intuition, curiosity, and planning. Sometimes she follows her own personal pin map of places she wants to explore. Other times, she drives by a new road, notices a trailhead, and makes a note to return. Her process is both organic and strategic, a way to keep moving and always have fun.

The Rochester area features wild nature and urban energy coexisting side by side. It’s easy to overlook the beauty around us, especially during colder months. Frozen toes, slushy driveways, and long gray days may keep us inside, but devoted voices like Carrie’s remind us there’s so much magic to be found just a short (or long) walk from our front door.

Winter Strolls Carrie Loves

Pine Tree Hikes

When all leaves fall off the trees and we enter “stick season,” I love to look for pine tree groves and other evergreen trees on my hikes. They feel so festive. They keep their green color and are so magical after a snow fall.

The Gnome Trail at Cumming Nature Center

Only open in winter (mid-December through April), this trail features wooden gnomes and whimsical surprises along the way. It’s a truly magical hike for both adults and kids.

Frozen Waterfalls

Another thing we like to do in winter is visit waterfalls. They are so beautiful after a snowfall

and look so neat when they start to freeze!

For a complete hike and stroll guide, visit: hikeandstrollrochester.com

or follow: @hikeandstrollrochester