• Home
  • Uncategorized

Category: Uncategorized

Choose Your Own Adventure

Choose Your Own Adventure

Become an explorer — on and off campus

Choose Your Own Adventure

banner-sustainability-1 copy

Gear Rental

Camping, cycling, water sports and more —Outdoor Recreation has the equipment you need for your own outdoor adventures!
Check it out
Two students canoeing.

Outdoor Adventure Center

Visit the Outdoor Adventure Center at 338 College St. which houses our outdoor recreation team, guided trips, equipment rental and an outdoor recreation library/resource center.
A female student climbing a rock wall.

Indoor Climbing Wall

Our new bouldering wall in Wake Field House challenges all skill levels with rope-free climbs that build strength and balance. Free for students and employees, with shoes and chalk provided, it’s a fun, welcoming space to climb and connect.
Required Waiver Form
Rolling green hills, trees, and mountains in the background with blue skies and clouds

Claytor Nature Center

The University of Lynchburg’s Claytor Nature Center is a 491-acre conservation and research site at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering diverse natural habitats, trails, gardens, and educational facilities.
Learn more
A man in a dark t-shirt and shorts confidently throws a yellow disc towards a disc golf basket, surrounded by dense woods, demonstrating skill and enjoyment in a casual disc golf game.

Disc Golf

Our short 9-hole course winds around in a wooded area and is located on campus, off Faculty Drive, near our sport teams' practice fields. The tees are rubber.

Wild over mild

Explore the University, Lynchburg, and further.

Outdoor recreation helps you connect with nature through activities ranging from hiking and kayaking to camping trips. You’ll have fun, push yourself, and explore the great outdoors. 

Local Trails

Trails of Blackwater Creek

Trails of Blackwater Creek

Lynchburg is home to a beautiful network of earthen and paved trails that run through the Blackwater Creek Natural Area. Although many residents and visitors are familiar only with the trails of Blackwater Creek, there are many trails alongside the creek and beyond to explore, including:

  • Blackwater Creek Trail
  • Point of Honor Trail
  • Kemper Station Trail
  • Creekside Trail
  • Ruskin Freer Loop
  • Blackwater Creek Natural Area
More information from Lynchburg Parks & Recreation.

RiverWalk Trail

RiverWalk offers visitors a quick transition from urban trail to scenic nature walk. RiverWalk takes visitors through Lynchburg’s historic downtown then over the bridge to scenic Percival’s Island and eventually into Amherst County, where visitors are surrounded by the sights and sounds of the James River.

More information from Lynchburg Parks & Recreation.

Alpine Trail

The Alpine Trail was the first walking trail developed within a Lynchburg park. The trail winds through the steep hillside of Riverside Park and offers spectacular views of the James River, as well as frequent sightings of woodland birds, including migrating hawks.

More information from Lynchburg Parks & Recreation.

Ivy Creek Greenway

The Ivy Creek Greenway is a 1.75 mile multi-use, paved, linear trail that meanders through Peaks View Park. The trail passes through the Bill Foot Recreation Area, providing access to an extensive system of mountain bike and hiking trails.

More information from Lynchburg Parks & Recreation.

Day Hikes

Peaks of Otter: Sharp Top and Flat Top

Peaks of Otter: Sharp Top and Flat Top

Sharp Top Trail

  • Elevation gain: 1,540 feet
  • Trail distance: 3.6 miles
  • Hiking time: 2.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 4

Flat Top Trail

  • Elevation gain: 1,640 feet
  • Trail distance: 6.2 miles
  • Hiking time: 3.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 4
Driving distance: 45 min., 30 miles |  Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.

Apple Orchard Falls

  • Elevation gain: 1,680 feet
  • Trail distance: 5.6 miles
  • Hiking time: 4.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 3
Driving distance: 1 hour, 15 mins., 47.5 miles |  Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.

Crabtree Falls/Spy Rock

Crabtree Falls

  • Elevation gain: 1,380 feet
  • Trail distance: 3.8 miles
  • Hiking time: 3.0 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 2

Spy Rock

  • Elevation gain: 3,610 feet
  • Trail distance: 13.9 miles
  • Hiking time: 6.0 hours plus 1 hour for lunch and breaks
  • Difficulty: 4
Driving distance: 54 min., 45.9 miles | Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.

Cold Mountain

  • Elevation gain: 1,490 feet
  • Trail distance: 5.8 miles
  • Hiking time: 3.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 3
Driving distance: 1 hour, 43.1 miles | Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.

Devil’s Marbleyard

Shorter Hike

  • Elevation gain: 1,510 feet
  • Trail distance: 5.5 miles
  • Hiking time: 5.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 3

Longer Hike

  • Elevation gain: 2,280 feet
  • Trail distance: 11.3 miles
  • Hiking time: 6.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 4
Driving distance: 55 min., 36 miles | Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.

Devil’s Marbleyard

Shorter Hike

  • Elevation gain: 1,510 feet
  • Trail distance: 5.5 miles
  • Hiking time: 5.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 3

Longer Hike

  • Elevation gain: 2,280 feet
  • Trail distance: 11.3 miles
  • Hiking time: 6.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
  • Difficulty: 4
Driving distance: 55 min., 36 miles | Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.

Backpacking Trips

Appalachian Trail Triple Crown

Appalachian Trail Triple Crown

Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs

  • Elevation gain: 6,774 feet
  • Trail distance: 34.8 miles
  • Difficulty (1-5): 5
Driving distance: 61.4 miles; 1 hour, 22 minutes | Directions
More information from HikingProject.com.
Map of the Appalachian Trail Triple Crown

Punchbowl Mountain to James River

  • Trail distance: 10.9 miles
  • Elevation gain: 1,814 feet
  • Difficulty (1-5): 5
Driving distance: 31.4 miles, 47 minutes | Directions
More information from HikingProject.com.

James River Face Wilderness

  • Elevation gain: 2,900 feet
  • Trail distance: 33.5 miles
  • Hiking time: 9.5 hours
  • Difficulty (1-5): 4
Driving distance: 52 mins., 50.2 miles | Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.
Thumbnail of James River Face trail hike

Cold Mountain Loop

  • Trail distance: 6.2 miles
  • Elevation gain: 1490 feet
  • Difficulty (1-5): 3-4
Driving distance: 43.3 miles, 59 minutes | Directions
More information from HikingProject.com.
Map of Cole Mt. train

Mount Rogers/Wilburn Ridge

  • Trail distance: 21.5 miles
  • Elevation gain:
    • Day 1: 1,441 feet
    • Day 2: 2,963 feet
    • Day 3: 715 feet
    • Optional Mount Rogers Peak: 287 feet
  • Hiking time: 2.5 days
  • Difficulty (1-5): 5
Driving distance: 3 hours, 8 mins.; 170 miles | Directions
More information from HikingUpward.com.
Thumbnail of Mount Rogers/Wilburn Ridge Trail Hike
Andrew Young

Navigation for

Choose Your Own Adventure

Quick Links
Links
view raw