Grab the Earmuffs for This Hike in Virginia That’s 100% Worth Braving the Cold

Finding the motivation to go outdoors can be challenging during winter, but I find that if I take the time to put on quality cold-weather gear before heading outside, I never regret it. The fresh air and adventure of the outdoors are especially refreshing during the season of shorter days and longer nights. Hiking is exceptionally peaceful when the temperatures are lower; there are fewer worries about pesky bugs or extreme heat, and often the trails are quieter. We've found a beautiful Virginia trail worth putting on layers of clothing, gloves, and earmuffs. The River Trail Loop in Great Falls Park near McLean, Virginia, is a gorgeous 4.6-mile loop hike.

The River Trail Loop begins at the Great Falls Park Visitor Center, which has restrooms. The trail heads south before turning east and heading back north along the Potomac River. It passes the ruins of the Patowmack Canal, a river navigation system built from the late 1700s to the early 1800s. The trail's southernmost point meets Difficult Run, a tributary stream of the Potomac River. The portions of the trail near the Potomac River offer stunning water views of the running water surrounded by rocky terrain. The trail also passes three overlooks of Great Falls, a stretch of the river with powerful rapids and waterfalls.

The trail is considered moderately difficult and has a fair number of inclines. The path along the river is rocky in places. Hikers note that the trail can get crowded, especially on weekends. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail.

For more information, visit the River Trail Loop's listing on AllTrails.

Check out our list of must-have hiking accessories to ensure you have everything you need for your next hike. Be sure to pack some high-quality earmuffs for a pleasant winter hiking experience.

Great Falls Park is an 800-acre park only 15 miles from Washington, D.C. It is a fantastic place to hike, but also to bike, kayak, canoe, fish, horseback ride, climb, and picnic. Many also come to the park to birdwatch, as 163 species of birds fly through the area, depending on the season and the hour of day. The National Park Service manages the park and offers Junior Ranger books at the visitor center. There is an entrance fee to access the park, which is open year-round. Great Falls Park closes shortly after sunset, but there's still enough time to catch fantastic sunset views of the river.

Great Falls Park is only about 20 minutes from Reston, Virginia, a town with about 62,000 residents. Reston has an awesome craft brewery, the Lake Ann Brew House. The city hosts a lively farmers market on Saturdays in the Lake Anne Plaza Shopping Center. Its town center also has a festive ice skating rink during the holiday season. The Homewood Suites by Hilton is a wonderful place to stay in Reston. It has free parking and Wi-Fi and serves a buffet breakfast.