Hike Up Your GPA

Waterfall at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary  photo by K. Rose

“Organic Chemistry is killing me,” you moan as you try to refocus on the page in front of you. You’ve been studying for hours, and now nothing makes sense.

The solution? Take a hike. As counterintuitive as that may seem, taking an exercise break, even for 10 minutes, could be just what you need to reset and recharge your brain. Harvard Medical School psychiatrist John Ratey explains the cognitive benefits of exercise in his book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Accordingto Ratey, "Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning." And while it’s been shown that exercise improves learning, it also reduces stress and lifts depression.

But why hiking? Research by Berman, Jonides, and Kaplan, found that “simple and brief interactions with nature can produce marked increases in cognitive control.” So if exercise itself produces cognitive benefits, then choosing a hike as your form of exercise is just icing on the cake—or the “+” sign next to your “A”.

And here’s the best part: there are four hiking locations in Fayette County, all within 1 – 15 miles from the Johnson Recreation Center:

Paved path at the University of KY Arboretum   photo by K. Rose

UK Arboretum

Hours: Open most days from dawn ‘til dusk.
Distance from the Johnson Center: 1 mile (directions here)
The Good: The two-mile paved loop is minutes away from the JC, with ample FREE parking. “Trails” off the main paved path showcase Kentucky’s biodiversity, and a large wooded area gives you a forest feel right in the middle of campus.
The “Meh”: Although you can interact with nature, there’s a little too much pavement and not enough forest path.

Large pine tree at the Lexington Cemetery   photo by K. Rose

Lexington Cemetery

Hours: Open daily, 8am – 5pm
Distance from the Johnson Center: 3.3 miles (directions here)
The Good: The Lexington Cemetery is known nationally, not only for some of its famous “residents,” but also for the beautiful old trees located within its boundaries. The cemetery’s tree map (be sure to pick up a guide at the cemetery office) will take you on a walk to visit 42 different species, some of which have been around since the Declaration of Independence was signed. And nothing says “freedom” like fresh air and wide-open spaces.
The Creepy: Well, it’s a cemetery, so you’ll be walking around tombstones as you stroll among the trees. And with Halloween approaching, it might be a little intense…

Bur oak tree at McConnell Springs  photo by K. Rose

McConnell Springs

Hours: Open daily, dawn ‘til dusk
Distance from the Johnson Center: 4 miles (directions here)
The Good: The two miles of wooded trails lead you to a natural spring, complete with a bubbling “blue hole.” Further down the trail you’ll find a large bur oak that’s over 250 years old.
The Bummer: You leave wanting more.

Raven Run Nature Sanctuary

Hours: Open most days 9am – 5pm (trails close at 4:30pm)
Distance from the Johnson Center: 15.5 miles (directions here)
The Good: Trees, meadows, creeks, waterfalls, wildlife, over 10 miles of trail, a beautiful river overlook—this place has it all! Load the trail map on your mobile device or pick up a map at the trailhead.

The Challenge: You’ll need a vehicle or a hiking buddy with a car to take advantage of this great natural area.

River overlook at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary     photo by K. Rose