Dana Lake '23
EIC Emeritus
Springtime is for panicking about finals, writing briefs, and being outdoors. While pure, natural fear will ensure the first two happen, getting outside and into the sunshine is something that takes a bit more effort. Luckily, the Law Weekly is all about lowering barriers to entry. Whether you have an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day, here are some great local hikes to get you out of your miserable apartment and into the woods.
Pictured: Ivy Creek - A hike so easy, even my parents could do it!
For Those Who Want to Get Away from It All (For an Hour)
Ivy Creek Natural Area (Red Trail)
The Ivy Creek Foundation maintains a natural area off Earlysville Road (out towards the airport) with more than ten different trails of varying lengths and combinations. We recommend following the well-marked path of the Red Trail, which is a cool 1.7 miles and can be done in about an hour. It has short stints of elevation gain, but mostly meanders gently through beautiful second-growth forest and along the creek. This trail is dotted with benches at key vistas and has historical markers along the way to keep your urge to do readings in check. Parking is plentiful, and there is a shorter paved trail in addition to historical buildings on the grounds.
Rivanna Trail (Old Ivy Stretch)
A favorite of tree huggers and dog-walkers living in Ivy Gardens, this portion of the Rivanna Trail starts right before the entrance to I-29 on Old Ivy Road and turns you out on Barracks Road if you follow it to the end. It has minimal elevation change and can be completed in about half an hour. This trail cuts through the woods behind Darden, the Law School, and the JAG School, making it an easy lunchtime break for library dwellers. You can turn off the main trail and exit into the parking lot across from The Park, or use this entrance as your starting point and follow the trail up to Old Ivy (or cut it even shorter by exiting onto Leonard Sandridge). Overall, this trail is well-shaded and close enough to the Law School that even the fussiest indoorsy folks can use it to appreciate some dappled sunshine before the humidity of summer rolls in.
For Afternoon Wanderers:
Preddy Creek Park (Preddy Creek Outer Loop)
This park is over 500 acres of wilderness, located north of town, just off Seminole Trail. It has over sixteen miles of hikes, including routes for equestrians and mountain bikers. We recommend the 3.5-mile Preddy Creek Loop for the perfect afternoon break, but there are plenty of oxbows you can tack on along the way to make it a longer walk. The loop brings you over gentle rolling hills, under towering pines, and back to your car (and its AC) in around two hours. Dogs are welcome and parking is ample.
Pictured: Bearfence - Beautiful in all kinds of weather!
For Folks on the Verge of a Mental Breakdown Who Want to Drop Out and Move to Alaska
Shenandoah National Park
The call of the mountains is strong this time of year, especially when the afternoons turn toward the wrong side of 75 degrees. Shenandoah National Park’s higher elevation means it stays cooler longer, usually with a nice breeze to accompany you on the trail. If you are looking to feel like you have actually accomplished something amongst the endless drudgery of moot courts and interviews, a rock scramble is the answer. Shenandoah has several options, depending on your hiking ability.
Hard: Old Rag
Probably the most popular hike in Virginia, Old Rag is almost ten miles of tough walking interspersed with excellent rocks to clamber over. Let the inexorable march toward graduation fall away, and replace it with the simple falling of footsteps in the woods. This hike will really take you all day, and for some people it takes two—almost every year, one or two hikers find themselves injured on the trail and in need of medevac, which can require a night outdoors if it is too late for the helicopters to fly in. Bring plenty of water, and don’t attempt it if you haven’t done a long hike before.
Moderate: Bearfence
My personal all-time favorite, Bearfence is only about a mile and a half and includes some extremely satisfying rock scrambling to reach a 360-degree view of the valley. It’s a great hike no matter the weather, though rain can make some parts a bit too slick for the faint-hearted adventurer. Fun to do on both clear days, when you can see for miles in every direction, and foggy days, where you feel entirely alone at the top of the world, Bearfence is short enough that you can do it in the morning and then move onto a second trail after lunch. You do not have to be extremely fit to do this trail—there are inclines, and there is some climbing, but as long as you wear proper shoes and don’t have a fear of heights, you should be able to manage. Parking is limited, so definitely plan to start early.
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dl9uh@virginia.edu