State officials encourage winter hikes in parks

SANDUSKY — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has an invitation to Ohio residents this winter: Go take a hike! The department is inviting Ohioans to go on a First Day Hike on Saturday to greet the new year. In addition, the department has announced the Ohio State Parks 2022 Winter Hike Challenge, inviting Ohioans to go on hikes and record the results. The state has organized First Day Hikes in eight locations across Ohio, but the location closest to the Sandusky area is at Maumee Bay State Park near Oregon, just east of Toledo. Show up at 10 a.m. Saturday at the nature center for a hike on the boardwalk. For the Ohio State Parks Winter Hikes Challenge, Ohioans are asked to go on winter hikes between Jan. 1 and March 1 in three different regions of the state. Go to bit.ly/3FGjOkA to learn more about the different hiking regions, and to record your hikes. The first 500 people to complete the challenge and record their information on the winter hikes website will get a free limited-edition Ohio State Parks Winter Hiker sticker. For information on finding a trail, download the DETOUR Ohio Trails App, available at detour.ohiodnr.gov, or for Apple and Android smartphones in the Apple App or Google Play stores. (Many of the newer Chromebooks also allow Android app downloads.) The ODNR offers these tips for safe hiking during the winter: • Check the forecast and research your hike before you leave the house. • Dress in layers, keeping your head, neck, and hands covered. • Stay hydrated and bring snacks. • Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Going on winter hikes also helps Ohioans get into the habit of going on walks, a form of exercise that's considered suitable for all ages. The Cleveland Clinic offers these five reasons for taking a walk every day: • Walking reduces stress, cheers you up and increases self-esteem. • You can lose weight by walking just 30 minutes a day. • Regular walking lowers blood pressure, improves sleep and energizes you. • Walks are more fun with a pedometer and a friend. (Apps that record steps are available free for smartphones.) • People experience a major dip in snack cravings during and after a 15-minute walk.