Winter hiking is sorely underrated — the trails aren’t crowded, parking is abundant, the views are even more spectacular and, if it’s sunny, you may find yourself at the summit in just a T-shirt and hiking pants (with appropriate layers in your pack, of course — safety first).

For many Coloradans, starting the year off right means starting on a trail. That explains the New Year’s Day tradition called First Day Hikes — a national tradition tracked by America’s State Parks, the organization recognizing the first day of 2026 as particularly special.

Diana Crandall is a deputy editor of automation at Forbes Marketplace. With a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a background in marketing, she combines traditional storytelling with data-driven reporting and..