Many of us like hiking in the summer, and much more find fall a great time to lace the boots and witness one of nature’s most emphatic color shows while walking along canopied trails. But to those who can brave the cold, winter is hands-down the best time to lace one’s snowshoes and stomp across sparkling white trails that do a fine job of taking the mind off the cold. Of course, for beginners, winter hiking may seem daunting and, let’s admit it, even risky. But with the necessary preparation, it will not only be safe but also super enjoyable.

Here are hiking trails that offer winter views worth braving the cold for.

10 Cumberland Trail in Cumberland Trail State Park, Tennessee

Snaking its way along the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Eastern Tennessee, Cumberland Trail follows a rugged, picturesque line of elevated ridges and deep gorges that will glaze the eyes and rump up aesthetic feelings at every turn and bend. And in winter, it’s even more serene as it’s often totally deserted. For those who enjoy soul-solitude, this trail is a secret worth uncovering.

  • Suggested Highlight: The Possum Creek Section is a cascading trail lined with interesting rock features.

9 Mt. Hood In Oregon

The stunning mountain backdrop is a foretaste of what awaits hikers around this area when snow descends in its crisp elegance, carpeting the rugged fields with snowy beauty. And the beauty of this large area is that aside from just hiking, there’s a whole range of super enjoyable winter activities that may leave one literally spoilt for choice.

  • Suggested Highlight: Mirror Lake Loop Trail, especially for snowshoeing.

Related: 10 Of New York's Most Beautiful Winter Towns To Visit This Season

8 Jud Wiebe Trail In Telluride, Colorado

Whether it’s the crispness of the winter air, the spectacular views on every side, or the convenient closeness to town, Jud Wiebe Trails is a frosty getaway worth visiting. And, of course, the Centennial State is among the states that experience the most snowfall in the United States. Still, even if the views are to die for, this trail is steep and can be challenging. To be on the side of safety, strap on a pair of microspikes.

7 Zion National Park, Utah

Winter bums revel in the snow. The purity, the quietness, the solitude, and the serenity make it so appealing. But here’s the truth. Not everyone enjoys the snow. For those who don’t enjoy stepping on the glistening shards of solid ice, Zion National Park has frosted red rocks without any icy droplets.

  • Suggested Highlight: The 5-kilometer Watchman Trail is mostly easy but is richly peppered with spellbinding views, especially as one nears the top.

6 Banadad Ski Trail

Talking about winter and ice seems incomplete without an entry from the Land of 10,000 lakes. Well, at 29 kilometers, Banadad Ski Trail is the longest trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This remote wilderness area is extravagantly dotted with head-turning, picturesque vistas that make it worth braving the Minnesota ice for.

  • Suggested Highlight: Known locally as the “height of land,” the Laurentian Divide is an important geographic landmark worth checking out.

5 Oswald West State Park In Oregon

Here’s the truth. Sometimes we go hiking in winter for something more than just nature’s spectacular display of whiteness. And in this picturesque Oregon landscape, hikers will have a decent chance of catching a glimpse of grey whales in the frozen heart of winter. For those up to it, the journey west will be well worth it.

  • Suggested Highlight: At 2.6 miles one-way, Cape Falcon Trail is an insanely beautiful hike. To spot the whales, hit the road in December or January.

Related: Here's What Makes Bethel, Maine Such A Magical Winter Destination

4 Acadia National Park, Maine

A slice of paradise lies at the center of Maine’s coastline in the name of Acadia National Park. Aside from hiking, this famous New England jewel has so many attractions that make it necessary to have a reliable Guide so that a visitor can make the most of her limited time. Of course, it will be chilly. Maine can decide to be cold. But the views are anything but frigid.

  • Suggested Highlight: Gorham Mountain Trail is a stunning snapshot of Acadia’s beauty.

3 Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, Colorado

Those who feel imprisoned by winter and want to steal a summer-like adventure in the coldest season of the year should head to Big Dominguez Canyon on Colorado’s famous Western Slope. Of course, it won’t be vintage summer, with temps soaring to average highs of 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, there’ll be nothing icy. And for the gloomy splendor, well worth it.

2 Mazama Ridge Snowshoe Trail In Mount Rainier National Park

A mountain is an antidote for human pride. Their regal splendor and majestic posture seem to pour contempt on our Burj Khalifas and our tallest buildings. And for those in the state of Washington, Mt. Rainier rules the skyline with an invisible scepter. While many will be satisfied even with a distant look, the six-mile Mazama Ridge Trail offers close-up views of the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.

  • Hiking Tip: For safety, take Paradise Valley Road to the 4th Crossing route.

1 Garden Wall, Glacier National Park

The East Coast and the Southern States have some amazing hiking scenes. But let's be honest. None of them holds the dimmest candle to the West Coast. Anyone who's been to Glacier will not want to forget those scenes of grandeur and awesomeness. And for this, the Garden Wall has only a handful of peers.