Wild Walk: First Day Hike

The Wild Walk First Day Hike on January 1, 2026 begins at 10:00 AM at the Cumming Nature Center, where you’ll spend two and a half hours exploring five miles of the Blue Trail through snow-dusted evergreen stands between Canandaigua and Honeoye Lakes.

The guided hike includes nature-inspired readings along the way, with rangers pausing at scenic overlooks to share reflections that complement the crisp winter air and open views across the 900-acre preserve. The event costs $6 per person and welcomes hikers and cross-country skiers alike. Families, couples, and solo travelers looking for a meaningful start to the year will find this morning walk particularly rewarding, with the steady climb through red pines offering both physical challenge and mental clarity.

The Cumming Nature Center sits in the Bristol Hills, established in 1973 when the Cumming family gifted this land to the Rochester Museum & Science Center. The preserve spans rolling terrain carved by glaciers that once covered the Finger Lakes region, leaving behind the kettle ponds and upland forests you’ll traverse. January temperatures typically hover between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit, so dress in wool or synthetic layers, bring traction devices for your boots, and pack a thermos of hot cocoa or coffee. The trail can be icy in spots, particularly on the steeper sections, so allow extra time if you’re new to winter hiking.

The visitor center stays open through the winter with restrooms and warming areas, making it easy to adjust your plans. Parking is free in the main lot, though spaces fill quickly on popular event days, so aim to arrive 15 minutes early. For families with young children, consider the shorter loop trails near the center if the full five miles feels ambitious.

After your hike, head into downtown Naples for lunch at Redwood Restaurant, serving homemade comfort food since 1955 and famous for its original grape pie made from local Concord grapes. For a more upscale post-hike meal, the Naples Hotel Restaurant has operated since 1895 in Ontario County’s oldest continuously running hotel, offering seasonal menus and local wines. If you want to extend your stay near Canandaigua Lake or Honeoye Lake, browse waterfront rentals on Lake.com where you’ll find cottages and cabins with woodstoves, lakefront decks, and easy access to winter hiking trails.