Liberty Resides Close to Many Amazing Hiking Opportunities
Liberty students are fortunate to reside in such a vibrant community within the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“I love being outdoors because I just feel like it opens a more tangible door to God’s character and the beauty He is and creates,” junior Brooklyn Dinkler said, “How incredible is it that (God) chose to create such intricate beauty that we are able to enjoy.”
There are plenty of opportunities to get out of the classroom and spend quality time with friends outdoors in central Virginia, an area with a wide variety of hikes.
Cole Mountain – Easy hike
Cole Mountain is located about an hour from campus in Buena Vista, Virginia. The short hike to the top makes Cole Mountain perfect for all skill and fitness levels.
“Cole Mountain is so much fun to go with a group of friends, or if you want to have a picnic with a view — and it’s not difficult at all,” Dinkler said.
Because it is an easier hike, many students set up a picnic or take pictures with friends on top of Cole Mountain.
“Although Cole Mountain is more of a walk than a hike, if you’re looking for a place to take cute pictures, and you don’t want to be sweaty when you reach the top, Cole is perfect for that,” senior Katie Meeks said.
Sharp Top and Dragon’s Tooth – Moderate
Sharp Top, a mountain in Bedford, Virginia, offers more of a challenge than Cole, gaining over 1,300 feet in the 1.5 mile climb. From campus, the drive to the base of the mountain is approximately 50 minutes.
“Sharp Top is my favorite,” Dinkler said. “The view is incredible, and it’s not too easy, but also not too difficult. Going for sunrise is so worth it.”
Sharp Top is among the taller mountains in the state at 3,862 feet above sea level.
Experienced hiker Sadie Barham said, “Sharp Top is one of the best hikes I’ve ever done. It’s steep but fairly short, and the view at the top is breathtaking. You can see miles in every direction — sometimes if it’s even clear enough, you can see Liberty’s campus on the horizon.”
Cove Mountain offers incredible views of a rock protrusion called Dragon’s Tooth. The rock spire, rising 35 feet above the surrounding rock, is at the top of a 2-mile trail near Catawba, Va. The trail climbs 1,227 feet of elevation and intersects with the Appalachian Trail.
“Dragon’s Tooth is harder,” Meeks said, “but has a beautiful peak. You really feel accomplished and rewarded at the top, for sure. Make sure to go when the leaves are changing — the view will be incredible.”
McAfee Knob – Advanced
McAfee Knob is a longer and more difficult hike option near Lynchburg. About an hour from Liberty near Catawba, Va., the mountain rises 3,197 feet above sea level and offers views of a protruding edge of rock off the mountain. Hikers follow the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail for 1,700 feet and an 8.8-mile round trip.
“McAfee Knob has the most spectacular view,” Dinkler says, “but the hike is a lot longer and more difficult.”
Liberty Mountain Trails – close to home
The Liberty Mountain Trail System, at Hydaway Outdoor Center, offers more than 50 miles of hiking trails that span over 3,500 acres, giving students the opportunity to explore the beauty of the area close to home.
Camp Hydaway also offers a variety of events and group activities throughout the school year.
Wellness in Wilderness is a 90-minute guided hike on the Hydaway Trail System that is centered around fostering mindfulness in nature and personal wellness..
Outdoor Recreation also offers group hiking events, including an overnight sunrise hike on Cole Mountain Sept. 25.
If interested in any sort of Hydaway or Outdoor Recreation sponsored group event, students can find more information at the office location in Green Hall 2900, or email campusrecreation@liberty.edu.
Kathryn Alley is a News Reporter.