Hike in Huron - Winter 2024

February’s full moon is known as the Snow Moon and while this year is known as a “micromoon” year, (the opposite of a “supermoon”), it doesn’t mean that a night walk is out of the question. Here are a couple of suggestions for a winter hike (day or night), where you can enjoy some beautiful sky views.

Blyth Greenway Trail

When the Canadian Pacific Railway quietly abandoned its line through Blyth in 1988, 71 years after it arrived to great fanfare, the village could have been left with an ugly scar if not for the imagination of some local residents.

Today, the former railway lands are part of the Blyth Greenway Trail. The railway happened to run beside Blyth Brook as it passed through the village (in fact the river was actually relocated a few feet north back in 1907 to make room for the freight yards) so it makes a pleasant place for a stroll or a quiet place to escape to contemplate nature.

There are also kiosks that explain the importance of Blyth Brook and the history of the railway.

The giant water tank with a photogenic patina and a backdrop of trees lining the creek banks is a great place to stop for a selfie.

Heading east from the water tank you’ll take a meandering path to the left of the old rail trail that leads to a beautiful stone arch over Blyth Brook. The arch is very photogenic with layers of winter snow surrounding it. 554 Queen St., Blyth

Hullett Wildlife Area

For the more intrepid hikers, the Hullett Wildlife Area offers a chance to experience the marsh in the quietest of seasons. Winter hiking in the conservation area is a little more difficult than the other seasons, but just as rewarding. The White Trail entrance at 40972 Hydro Line Road offers a cleared parking area. The trail is fairly flat and often packed down (but you can never go wrong with snowshoes!). You will walk past two ponds and stroll along a forest before coming to a fork where you can choose to stay on the white trail through meadows and fields for a straight out and back hike. Another option is to take the green trail on your right through the woodland to create counterclockwise loop trail by using the blue and purple trails to return to the white trail and back to the parking lot. The map is available at http://www.hullettmarsh.com/hwpa_2 and you can download it before you head out.

The winter blanket makes it easy to see the wildlife activity through the abundance of tracks in the snow. 40972 Hydro Line Road, Clinton