Start the new year with a First Day Hike

Anyone hoping to start working off holiday bloat can join in a First Day Hike at state parks in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia on New Year’s Day.

This year, local First Day Hikes will be held Jan. 1 at Assateague Island, Janes Island and Pocomoke River state parks in Maryland, Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Trap Pond state parks in Delaware and Kiptopeke State Park in Virginia.

The hikes at some parks start as early as 9 a.m., but others are scheduled in the afternoon.

At all of the hikes, participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather, and bring water for drinking.

Here are the details:

MARYLAND

Assateague State Park, Berlin 
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Meet at the concession building
Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages. Opportunities available for self-guided hike or group hike along the beach toward the north end of the island.
Length of trail: 1 mile

Janes Island State Park, Crisfield
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Meet at the camper registration parking lot
Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families. 
Length of trail: About 3 miles

Pocomoke River State Park, Snow Hill
Time: All day self-guided hike on the Trail of Change
Meeting location: Shad Landing Marina parking lot, 3461 Worcester Highway, Snow Hill
Degree of difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Length of trail: 1 mile

DELAWARE

Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes
Time: 11 a.m 
Location: Meet at The Point parking lot—extra parking at Point Comfort Station parking lot
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Minimum Age for Children: 7 years old with an adult
Restrictions: No pets permitted
Length of hike: 1.5 miles

Delaware Seashore State Park, Indian River Inlet
Time: 3 p.m. 
Location: Meet on Indian River Inlet Bridge at North Inlet Day Area
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Minimum age: Recommended minimum age is 6, but open to all ages
Restrictions: None
Length of hike: 1.7 miles

Trap Pond State Park, Laurel
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Baldcypress Nature Center
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Minimum age: None 
Restrictions: None
Length of hike: 1.5 miles

VIRGINIA

Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles
Time: 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Location: Gazebo in picnic area
Description: During 2 two-hour hikes, a park interpreter will guide you through our upland maritime forest, along Chesapeake Bay coastal dunes, and across open meadows of reclaimed farmland.

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