The prescription for stress: a dose of fresh air

By: Noelle Larino

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

As Marymount students, we have an opportunity to experience adventure, tranquility, and peace right in our backyard.

It’s that time of year again when virtually all college students are sick, overwhelmed, and making way too many midnight runs to McDonalds. However, there are healthy options for overcoming this stressful season of midterms and papers, one of them being hiking.

As students of Marymount, we are fortunate enough to be located in an area surrounded by breathtaking and picturesque hiking trails. Marymount students like senior Abbie Wolf are taking advantage of local scenic routes.

“I love the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah,” Wolf said. “I love the trees and the overlooks especially in the fall where the valley below is all beautiful fall colors. It’s so calming  and I just feel like I can really breathe and relax there.”

Another student, senior Matthew Belmonte, expressed his reasons for hiking in the local area.

“It’s just a really easy way to get your mind off of school. And if you don’t want to go to the big city, you can just go across the street and find a nice trail to go to,” Belmonte said. “But then just 20 minutes away is Great Falls and I like that the most because it’s a solid hour worth of hiking through the forest with plenty of rocks you can climb over.”

Feeling adventurous yet? Below are the top hiking trails along with their levels of difficulty listed by arlingtonva.us Parks & Recreation.

Top Hiking Trails and Ratings

Bluemont Junction Trail – easy

Custis Trail – moderate

Trail at Donaldson Run Park –
moderate to difficult

Trail at Fort C. F. Smith Park – easy

Trail at Dawson Terrace Park – easy to moderate

Each one of these local trails offers incredible landscapes from hills to valleys to colorful foliage. For instance, the Trail at Dawson Terrace Park offers an exciting trail through the forests as you walk alongside ancient tulip trees.

The trail at Donaldson Run Park offers scenic views of the Potomac River and if you walk far enough, you can find the old remains of an abandoned swimming resort!

Overall, as Marymount students, we have an opportunity to experience adventure, tranquility, and peace right in our backyard. Also, going for a hike is a great stress reducer when college life gets too overwhelming.

So go ahead, take a hike!