Easy Hikes and Adventures

Next session: Friday, June 14, 2024 | 9:00am-10:00am

Details:

Time:   Summer: May through September 9:00-10:00 am

             Winter: October through April 10:00-11:00 am

Is it a social activity or is it an exercise program?  You be the judge. Come join in the camaraderie and meet interesting new people while getting a little exercise in the process. We meet weekly on Friday mornings, generally at Pen Park (click on link for map), but sometimes we’ll head off and explore some of the other wonderful parks in the area. Additional adventures may include having a picnic or heading off to a restaurant or coffee after the hike. Be sure to check the Special Activities section listed below for our off-site hikes & dates. 

 This activity is ideal for folks of average physical condition. We explore some of the many trails the parks have to offer and will be walking on mostly unpaved trails. The pace and difficulty level would be considered moderate and will involve walking up and down some hills. A typical hike averages around 2 ¼ miles and lasts around an hour.

 Join others at the same level of physical fitness and have a good time outdoors! Feel free to bring a friend, they're welcome to join us! Email Gary for details and any questions you have.

• Free and open to all.
• Registration Required.
• Register on MyActiveCenter

Meeting place for hikes:

Pen Park: Drive into the park and go past the tennis courts on your left. Turn left into the large parking lot and park near the sidewalk leading to the restrooms. We leave promptly at the times noted above, so arrive early if possible.

Special Activities: Meeting location and event info posted below.

Darden Towe Park and Rivanna Greenway Trail- September 4, 9:30 am (rain date Friday September 18th)

Let’s go local this month at Darden Towe Park!  Hike along the Rivanna River for a scenic, relatively level and easy hike.  Distance will be about the same as the Butterfly Greenway hike, but you can turn around at any point if you don’t feel up to trekking the full distance.  From Stony Point Rd (Rt 20) drive into the park on Elk Dr.  At the end of the road, turn left and park in the first lot on the left. Parking Lot Location. For rest rooms, continue past the parking lot, then take the first right and go all the way up the hill.  Join us for lunch at the Maple Pine Restaurant after the hike. Restaurant Location  Please RSVP for lunch. 

4th Annual Pen Park Hike and Picnic-Friday, October 2, 10:00 am (rain date Friday October 9th)

This year we will meet at Ron’s home in Locust Meadows subdivision, not far from Pen Park, then we’ll hike down to one of the Rivanna Trail System paths from Locust Meadows.  After the hike, we’ll meet back at Ron’s for a wonderful potluck lunch.  RSVP for specific directions and the potluck, and be sure to include your planned dish in your response.  Entrees and sides should be relatively healthy, but desserts can be as decadent as you like. Plates, cups, utensils, napkins, ice, and drinks will be provided.

Bracketts Farm Heritage Trail – Friday, November 6, 10:00 am (rain date Friday November 13th)

We’re heading to the Far East for this hike (well, Zion Crossroads anyway.)  Historic Bracketts is a working farm and preservation area located off Rt 15 in Louisa County.  Directions to Hike  It is located on private property (open for hiking) so it offers a more unique hiking situation.  Historic Bracketts Farm Website  I would recommend wearing long pants & crew socks, and the usual water, lug sole hiking boots and walking sticks if you use them.  We could set up some carpooling if anyone is interested.  Afterwards, we will dine at the Made in Asia restaurant, next to the the Sheetz station in Zion Crossroads.  Directions to restaurant  Please RSVP so we can give the staff a heads-up. 

Riverview Park – Friday, January 1, 10:00 am

Join us for our first hike and adventure for the year at the lovely Riverview Park, located in the City of Charlottesville’s Woolen Mills area. Park Location  After our hike, we will head to lunch at Beer Run, which has surprisingly good food! Restaurant Location  Please RSVP for lunch so I can give the restaurant a head count.

Open to all.

Location:
Penn Park or See Details Above for Special Activities