Spring has sprung in Charlottesville, and for many Hoos, this means spending more time outside. During exam season, hiking is the perfect way to relieve stress, get some vitamin D, and connect with nature. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, UVA boasts an abundance of hiking opportunities for students. Below are five of my favorite beginner-friendly trails in the area.
Boar’s Head Resort Heritage Trails
Length: 0.5-2 miles | Distance from Grounds: 2.5 miles | Hiking Time: 30 mins-1 hour
Located just up Ivy Road, Boar’s Head Resort sits on 600 acres and contains several miles of trails open to the public. Trailheads are located near the resort’s main parking areas.
The trail system includes a mix of gravel and dirt paths with several inclines and forested areas. In addition to the stunning flora and wildlife, the trails take visitors around ponds, golf courses, and even a Civil War-era cemetery. For those interested in a longer adventure, the Boar’s Head trails connect seamlessly with the Ragged Mountain trail system.
Boar’s Head’s trail system is conveniently located, free, open all year, and excellently maintained and accessible. It offers the perfect quick and tranquil getaway for busy UVA students.
Length: 3.4 miles | Distance from Grounds: 35 miles | Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
You can’t go wrong with any hike in Shenandoah National Park, but a personal favorite has been Chimney Rock. Visitors are subject to the park’s entrance fees, and parking is available at the Riprap Parking Area (mile 90).
The hike begins on the Appalachian Trail and offers several scenic lookouts—including Calvary Rock—before culminating at Chimney Rock. The total elevation gain is 830 feet, with a gradual and manageable ascent. It is an out-and-back hike, so after taking in the views from Chimney Rock, visitors re-trace their steps to the parking lot.
Chimney Rock is a great option for first-time visitors to Shenandoah. Hikers can expect about an hour of hiking in each direction, with unique rock formations and gorgeous valley views.
Length: 2 miles | Distance from Grounds: 28 miles | Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
If you’ve ever woken up to photos of a mountainous sunrise in your Instagram feed, chances are, they were taken at Humpback Rocks. While the trail system includes 2- and 4-mile options, the 1-mile path to Humpback Rocks is most popular among UVA students.
The roughly 40-minute drive from Grounds takes visitors along a stunning stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Parking is available at the Humpback Gap Parking Area, and, being located just outside Shenandoah National Park, is free of charge.
The one-mile trail includes a strenuous 700-foot climb. Hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of the Rockfish and Shenandoah Valleys. For those looking to hike at dawn or dusk, I recommend leaving Grounds roughly two hours before the scheduled sunrise or sunset to get the best views from the top. Just remember to pack a flashlight!
Length: 1-4 miles | Located on Grounds | Hiking Time: 30 mins-2 hours
O-Hill trails offer first-year students and anyone living on Grounds a convenient opportunity to explore the woods. The trail system is frequented by mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers, and runners, and it connects to the 20-mile Rivanna Trail. There are several trailheads, but the closest to Grounds is located up McCormick Road, across from the Observatory Water Treatment Plant (S Fire Road on this map).
Different clubs and organizations have created their own maps and color-coding systems, but the trees are marked according to this one. Heading southwest from the parking lot, I like to follow the purple Southern Loop until it reconnects with the orange Perimeter Loop for a roughly 2.5-mile hike. The red Reactor Loop offers a beautiful one-mile extension.
O-Hill trails are open all year and provide a peaceful antidote to the hustle and bustle found elsewhere on Grounds.
Length: 1-4 miles | Distance from Grounds: 3.5 miles | Hiking Time: 30 mins-1 hour
Monticello may be Charlottesville’s best spot for history enthusiasts, but nature lovers will find nearly 100 acres of trails there, too. More of a walk than a hike, the Saunders-Monticello Trail contains gravel walkways, boardwalks, and woodland paths, and is completely wheelchair accessible. Parking is available on Route 53, Route 20, and at Monticello’s Visitor Center.
Located just 15 minutes from Grounds, the trail features a native hardwood forest and incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On sunny days, the boardwalks burst with walkers, runners, cyclists, and even pets. Walking at Monticello gives visitors a unique opportunity to connect not only with nature, but also with the Charlottesville community and American history.
The trail descriptions are detailed and inviting! I wish I lived closer! Nicely written Lucy N.