Parks throughout the area are getting ready for the new year by hosting “First Day” hikes on Jan. 1.

From 2-4 p.m. there will be two hikes at High Bridge Trail State Park with both having hikers meeting at the end of the new access lane on Camp Paradise Road.

At 2 p.m., an interpreter will guide hikers for an easy 1-mile hike across High Bridge and back.

Then, at 3 p.m., for the more adventurous hiker, there will be a chance to go to an abandoned rail line constructed to divert rail traffic when High Bridge was out of service for maintenance in 1869. This hike will reach a point where the expanse shows how another bridge was constructed across the Appomattox River.

The length of each hike is approximately 2 miles and should take about an hour. Strollers are not well-suited to the terrain for the 3 p.m. hike. The Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park will have refreshments.

To get to the Camp Paradise Road access, take U.S. 460 to Aspen Hill Road and drive to the end of Camp Paradise Road by the picnic pods.

At Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park, the hikes — from 1-3 p.m. — will focus on the park’s two newest interpretive trails, the Stagg and Pickets trails. Both trails highlight important actions connected with the fighting there on April 6, 1865. The Stagg Trail hike is a 1-mile round trip; the Picket Trail hike a half-mile round trip.

The hikes are weather-dependent and all participants should arrive at the Battlefield Visitor Center no later than 1 p.m. Hikers will need to supply their own refreshments. Both hikes are pet-friendly.

A hike at James River State Park will also take place between 1-3 p.m. Participants will hike their way up to the Tye Overlook. Staff and visitors will discuss nature and history as they go. Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras for pictures at the overlook. The round trip will be approximately 1.5 miles along a portion of Cabell Trail.

After the hike, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or warm apple cider in the visitor’s center.

Bear Creek Lake State Park’s First Day hike will take place from 11 a.m.-noon, using the theme “Where are the Wild Things?” The 60-minute hike will examine a recently timbered part of the park and adjoining state forest, helping participants rediscover the forest’s past, understand its present and imagine its future.

The walk will be 1 mile over moderate terrain. The way is fairly level with some roots.

From 10:30 a.m. until briefly after the program, the Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park will offer refreshments at the Hall. Also, sefl-guided activities, such as GPS Adventures, Park Packs and the Channel Cat Loop Interpretive Trail and other hiking-only trails will also be open.

At all the parks, Jan. 1 will be a free park entrance day, and participants can receive a special bumper sticker for going on the hikes. Find out about the New Year Challenge and Annual First Day Hikes Photo Contest at http://bit.ly/vspfdh2017.

All the hikes are free.