Right now, I'm sitting in my new home unpacking and getting things ready for the busy holiday season, but in my head I am laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was going hiking in Delaware right after the first snowfall, when the low sun and bright blue sky are enough to put a smile on my face and the air fills with the crunches of snow underfoot. I'm going to make time this weekend to get out and explore some of my favorite places for winter hiking in Delaware, and I will certainly return when snow begins to fall, whenever that may be.

Below, read about Delaware's best winter hiking spots and the reasons they have such a big spot in my heart.

1. Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes

Cape Henlopen is a great introduction to winter hiking in Delaware. The scenery is beautiful, it's never really muddy (thanks, sand!) and there is so much to see. From the Bike Loop trail at Cape Henlopen State Park you can climb a World War II Observation Tower and take in the entire park in its winter-wonderland glory.

2. White Clay Creek State Park, Newark

I've already mentioned White Clay Creek in a few recent articles, and I'll stand by saying that it is my favorite place for winter hiking in Delaware. The creek itself is absolutely stunning against the white snow and hazy shade of winter that envelopes the park.

3. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna

When Raymond Pool at Bombay Hook freezes over, look closely and try to spot tracks from all of the wildlife that crosses the pond! Many people visit Bombay Hook over the winter for bird watching, but if you go on say, a Wednesday morning, you'll really get to enjoy a quiet solitude.

4. Lums Pond State Park, Bear

Lums Pond is quiet in winter, and there are few better places to enjoy snow crusted ground than this stunning state park in Bear. When it comes to winter hiking in Delaware, the Delaware State Park service does an amazing job of clearing trails after snow, and Lums Pond will provide you with easy to hike trails and breathtaking scenery.

5. Blackbird State Forest, Smyrna

Blackbird State Forest is one of the most isolated hiking spots in Delaware, and in winter, you'll be able to enjoy the sound of silence as you walk through the trails and hear just the crunch of snow under your boot.

6. Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington

The bubbling, troubled water of the Brandywine keeps strong through winter, and as you walk the Brandywine Creek State Park trails, you can cross footbridges and wander through trails overlooking the chilly, half-frozen creek. And at the Zoo this time of year, admission is free, so you can make that your trail destination for a complete day of cool air fun.

7. Killens Pond State Park, Felton

My little town of Felton boasts the most amazing park in Killens Pond, and the Pondside Nature Trail is perfect for winter hiking in Delaware when flurries threaten or you want to enjoy a winter's day.

8. Trap Pond State Park, Laurel

Trap Pond State Park provides neatly kept winding, beautiful trails year round, but it's really something special in winter. For a full experience, rent one of their cabins for a winter getaway, and if you're lucky, you can wake up and gaze out your cabin window to a fresh fallen, silent shroud of snow.

9. Delaware Seashore State Park, Fenwick Island

Is there anything better than the beaches in winter? If you're like me and love nothing more than cool air and the sound of waves, Delaware Seashore State Park will become your new go-to for winter hiking in Delaware. Explore Indian River Inlet and watch the ice form on the darkening water.

10. Bellevue State Park, Wilmington

Escape from your office on a winter's day in deep and dark December to beautiful Bellevue State Park in Wilmington, where bright snow will brighten up anyone's day. And if you're not part Polar Bear and only like winter in small doses, you won't be too far from civilization and can quickly run back to your favorite coffee house.

These winter hiking spots in Delaware make me so happy, but after a long cold hike, I do like to find myself a great meal to warm myself up. And since we're talking about the best of the best here, why not try a restaurant from our Delaware Dining Bucket List?