Tim Sprinkle

Hit the Road: Outdoor fun in Charlottesville

MetroSports DC
July 2005

Located two hours southwest of D.C. and nestled right up against the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, Virginia may well be the Mid-Atlantic's outdoor sports Mecca. Not only can this quiet college town boast of its easy access to Shenandoah National Park and the Piedmont's rolling foothills, but it's also home to a population that knows how to get outside and have fun – whether it's climbing a mountain or dining al fresco.

Not that any of this is breaking news; harried Washingtonians have known about Charlottesville's charms for decades. But even if your tastes skew more towards single-track than single malt, a weekend in Jefferson-town won't disappoint, with a full range of activities for the athlete and the intellectual in all of us.

Hike:
With so many great trails nearby, the question isn't "where to go," it's "how to see it all." Day hikers flock to the nearby Rivanna Trail, an 18-mile loop that encircles the city. Not only does this urban oasis provide a nice break from the bumper-to-bumper fun on Route 29, but there's some serious trekking to be done here, too (avenue.org/rivanna). The Ragged Mountain Natural Area is another good bet for short hikes, with gentle terrain, pristine wilderness, and crowd-free trails galore (ivycreekfoundation.org).

If you're looking for more distance, head 30 minutes west to Shenandoah (nps.gov/shen), the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests (fs.fed.us/r8/gwj), and the Appalachian Trail.

Bike:
Mountain biking may have been born on the West Coast, but plenty of top riders have earned their stripes back East. Sure, you won't find crazy, Moab-like terrain around here, but what you will find is fun, challenging singletrack, and plenty of it.

Head out to Panorama Trails, a private MTB-only park, for a taste of what central Virginia has to offer. You'll need to buy an $8 day pass before heading out, but the amazing singletrack and scenic countryside are more than worth the price of admission (panoramatrails.com). There's more across town at Albemarle County's Walnut Creek Park, where the local mountain bike club maintains 15 miles of great off-road facilities (albemarle.org).

Roadies have the legendary Skyline Drive at their disposal, but the entire area is packed with classic rides. Check with the UVa Cycling Club (student.virginia.edu/~cycling) or drop by Blue Wheel Bikes on the Corner (bluewheel.com) for ideas on where to go.

Run:
All those paths are perfect for trail running, too; and the fun doesn't stop at the trailhead. When paired with the area's picturesque, brick-lined streets, it's easy to see why Charlottesville has developed a reputation as a great runner's town.

Explore the city on a Saturday morning and you'll likely see dozens of runners pounding the sidewalks near campus, not to mention the many groups organized by the huge and active Charlottesville Track Club (monticello.avenue.org/ctc). For a nice sample of what the area has to offer, join the locals out on Ridge Road. This dirt drive curves among some of the area's prettiest (and priciest) horse farms, offering stunning views of the mountains and a refreshing break from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown.

More and more ultramarathon runners are finding their way to the Charlottesville area, as well, and have made the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests popular for long training runs. Check the Forests' web site at fs.fed.us/r8/gwj for trail maps and suggestions.

Swim:
And what trip to the mountains would be complete without a good swimmin' hole? Locals favor the Blue Hole near Shenandoah National Park's eastern boundary at Sugar Hollow. It takes a bit of effort to get there, but the cool mountain water more than makes up for the easy 1.5-mile hike. Shenandoah's Cedar Run is another winner, located north of town at White Oak Canyon. A complete list is available at swimmingholes.org.

Chill:
Ready to wind down? Fortunately, there's plenty of non-sport fun to be had in and around Charlottesville as well. Everyone should visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello at least once, if for no other reason than to drink in the stunning mountaintop view. You can also tour the house, peruse the restored gardens, and learn all about Albemarle's favorite founding father (monticello.org). For more presidential fun, drop by James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland estate (ashlawnhighland.org), or pick some fresh apples at Carter's Mountain Orchard, both located just a few minutes up the road from Monticello.

If history isn't your thing, stroll among the shops on the Downtown Mall or stop by one of the area's many wineries for a tasting (virginiawines.org). And who could forget the restaurants? For a city of 55,000-plus, Charlottesville has more than its fair share of excellent eateries. Several local favorites are shown below, or visit charlottesvilletourism.org for the full scoop on dining and lodging in and around town.

Bizou
119 W. Main Street
(434) 977-1818
A frighteningly popular French/American bistro on the Downtown Mall.

Bluegrass Grill & Bakery
313 2nd Street
(434) 295-9700
Home of a truly amazing, down-home brunch. Get there early; the line's out the door by 9am.

Continental Divide
811 W. Main Street
(434) 984-0143
Hearty Tex-Mex with a Virginia twist. Excellent tequila menu.

Take It Away
115 Elliewood Avenue
(434) 295-1899
Tasty sandwiches on homemade breads. Right across from the Ragged Mountain Running Shop.

The Shebeen
247 Ridge-McIntire Road
(434) 296-3185
A South African pub in central Virginia? Believe it; and it's worth the stop.

Get the Gear

You're here, now where do you get the gear?

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports has most of your outdoor sport needs covered, with a wide variety of hiking, climbing, and paddling gear from all the top brands. They also staff some seriously knowledgeable folks who can help you craft the perfect weekend getaway to fit your sport and your schedule. (1125 Emmet Street in the Barracks Road Shopping Center, (434) 977-4400, brmsstore.com)

Cyclists have several options in the area, but Blue Wheel Bikes on the Corner and Extreme Sports on northside are usually good bets. They sell a wide variety of road, cross-country, and mountain bike brands, and can handle most repairs on-site. Both shops sell day passes to Panorama Trails, too. (Blue Wheel, 19 Elliewood Avenue across from UVa, (434) 977-1870, bluewheel.com) Extreme Sports also stocks the widest variety of kayaks and paddling gear in the area. (629 Berkmar Circle, (434) 975-1900, xtsports.com)

And no runner should come to town without visiting the Ragged Mountain Running Shop. More than just a gear shop, Ragged Mountain is the hub of the Charlottesville running scene. (Right across from the UVa campus at 3 Elliewood Avenue, (434) 293-3367, raggedmountainrunning.com)