There’s nothing like the crunch of snow under your boots and the sparkle of icicles hanging from bare tree branches on a winter’s day. And did you know being in cold air can help reduce stress by increasing endorphins (mood-boosting hormones) in your body? Being outside in the cold also burns more calories as your body works to keep you warm.
Dress for the weather, pack a thermos or water bottle, and take your friends and family for a winter walk at these special places. Parking is plowed at all locations. All Genesee Land Trust nature preserves are free and open to the public from dawn until dusk, year round.
To learn more about the free Audio Tours along the River by Tour Blend with the Genesee River Alliance visit: https://tourblend.com. The app is available for iPhone and Android.
Gosnell Big Woods Nature Preserve - 674 Vosburg Rd. in Webster
Staff photo of Gosnell Big Woods entrance to trail.
Big Field Trail 1.2 mile loop; Big Woods Trail 0.7 mile (round trip out and back); Meadow Trail 0.5 mile loop
Close to Lake Ontario, the preserve is often snowy and the mix of open fields and the protected trails of the Big Woods can be enjoyed in any weather. Special thanks to the Town of Webster and Friends of Webster Trails for maintaining the parking lot and paths. For more about the property and a trail map, visit: Gosnell Big Woods — Genesee Land Trust
Cornwall Preserve - 3975 Lake Rd. in Pultneyville
Staff photo. Cornwall Preserve is one of the few public access points to Lake Ontario in the region.
Cass Meadow Trail leads across the meadow to the Lake Bluff Trail and the Woods Trail ~1.5 mile round trip or park at the Hamilton Street Extension Parking Lot to walk along the Lake Bluff Trail.
From the parking lot on Lake Road a meadow stretches towards Lake Ontario, leading to spectacular views along the shoreline with a few benches along the way. If you take a left when you reach the lake, a rolling trail enters the woods of towering sugar maple, beech, hemlock, and tulip trees. Be prepared for wind off the lake. For more about the property and a trail map, visit: Cornwall Preserve — Genesee Land Trust
Salmon Creek Nature Preserve – 492 Bennett Rd. in Hilton
Staff photo - around the pond at Salmon Creek.
Flat meadow loop is ~1.5 miles, with a few benches for scenic views and resting. Water-proof boots are recommended since there are wet spots along the trail, especially around the pond and along Salmon Creek.
Dress extra warmly when visiting your newest preserve. It is a great place to explore in the winter – especially for snow shoeing. The wide trails circle the open meadow where winter birds can be found. The trail gently dips down to the pond, which is more sheltered if windy.
Genesee Valley Park - park near the Sports Complex 131 Elmwood, in Rochester
Photo by Nigel P. Kent.
Genesee Riverway Trail is an easy flat trail with many routes through the park. Follow along the River to the Waldo J Nelson Bridge, cross the river, follow the Erie Canal Heritage Trail and then loop by the pavilions and back over the River.
Designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City, Genesee Valley Park is perfect for exploring, cross country skiing and more. The park highlights three intersecting waterways: Red Creek, Genesee River, and the Erie Canal.
Learn more in the Tour Blend app at: “All Along the Genesee River”
Genesee River South Loop - Street parking on Exchange Blvd or Mt. Hope Ave. near the Ford Street Bridge in Rochester
Photo by Susan Orr.
This 2-mile loop starts at the Ford Street Bridge and heads south along the west bank of the river then returns on the east side of the River. Follow the audio tour.
You’ll enjoy scenic views of the river and Rochester skyline along this walk. You’ll also pass the Vacuum Oil site where petroleum-based lubricants were created, which led to the invention of gasoline-powered automobiles. Unfortunately, these toxic chemicals created a brownfield, so please stay on the trail. You’ll cross the converted railroad
EcoLoop at High Falls - park at High Falls Garage, 262 State St. in Rochester
Staff photo. High Falls is the site for a proposed new state park that would cross both sides of the Genesee River.
From the garage, walk to the Pont de Rennes Bridge. You can also take RTS Lake Avenue Bus #22 to Platt St.
Follow the 1.3-mile walk and audio tour co-created by Greentopia.
You’ll get spectacular views of High Falls from two different bridges as you walk through Rochester’s historic original industrial district. Learn about the world’s first marshmallow factory and recycling in Rochester from more than 100 years ago. Look out over the gorge where a new state park is proposed to be built over the next few years.
Have ideas about the park? You can email Helen Dumas, Genesee River Alliance Coordinator, at hdumas@geneseelandtrust.org.