Bites & Hikes

3.2 Mile Moderate Hike

Get ready for increased heart rates and some of the best views in northern Arizona along this popular Family Weekend 5K loop. The Blue & Gold 5K route traverses some of the grandest hills on campus. The first part of the trail encircles Lumberjack Stadium, home of the three-time women’s soccer Big Sky champions. The route heads south on San Francisco Street, past the city’s tallest building—Sechrist Hall—and around the second-largest wooden dome in America, the Walkup Skydome. Head west on Pine Knoll Drive toward the South Campus Recreation Complex. As you turn right and head to McConnell Drive, take a moment to breathe while enjoying views of the San Francisco Peaks. You’ll head back toward the trailhead by way of the South Campus Pedway, eventually landing at University Drive. Complete the route by reconnecting with San Francisco and heading back to the Health and Learning Center.

Best Bites Nearby:
Green Scene Café
Essential Blends

Location:
Health and Learning Center

Take the stairs up to the Green Scene Café to enjoy a Greek Salad or Classic Turkey Avocado Sandwich on 9-Grain Bread. If you’re in a hurry, grab a smoothie from Essential Blends! We suggest either the Fit-N-Fruity Smoothie or the 5.10 Blend, and add a spinach boost!

1 & 2 Mile Options

This route is perfect for a quick lunchtime workout offering a one-or two-mile loop.* This trail offers plenty of green space and fresh air to energize your day, beginning and ending at the North Quad in between the 1899 Bar and Grill, and Morton Hall. After looping up and around Prochnow Auditorium—which screens free movies, with an NAU ID—head south on Knoles Drive. Continue south to McCreary Drive, and turn east at the Native American Cultural Center. Once you reach the Health and Learning Center—home to Campus Recreation and Campus Health—head north on San Francisco Street. Turn west on Franklin Avenue and then north on Beaver Street, then continue west under the Wettaw Biochemistry Building bridge to complete the loop at the North Quad.

*see map for optional two-mile loop trail.

Best Bites Nearby:
1899 Bar and Grill

Location:
Corner of Dupont/Knoles

Try the House Salad featuring greens, cucumber, grape tomatoes, carrot, and balsamic vinaigrette

1 & 2 Mile Options

This route is perfect for a quick lunchtime workout offering a one-or two-mile loop.* This trail begins at The W.A. Franke College of Business and heads east on McConnell Drive. The flatness of the trail fades as hikers travel south in front of Pine Ridge Village. Before reaching McConnell Hall, follow the Pedway west to the du Bois South Union. Walk past the famous “French Fry” sculpture and continue on this Pedway, passing the Students for Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening garden, which promotes sustainable food systems through organic growing methods. Once you reach Pine Knoll Drive, head north toward McConnell Drive. Turn east on McConnell to finish this loop, or continue the journey for a two-mile loop.

*see map for two-mile loop trail.

Best Bites Nearby:
Subway

Location:
Du Bois South Union

Grab a quick Turkey Breast and Black Forest Ham sandwich from Subway at the du Bois South Union or try the Veggie Delite… you can have it as a salad as well!

1 Mile Easy Hike

Located at 6,950 feet, this one-mile loop spans the historic north campus with exposure to some of the newest, state-of-the-art buildings at NAU. This route has delightful dips and rises as hikers begin and end their journey at The Wedge Pizza and Market, which is outside of University Union next to Starbuck. The trail starts as hikers head north, keeping an eye out for cyclists on the Pedway and passing the Lab Science and Liberal Arts buildings. At the northeast corner of the Biology building, head west through the picturesque North Quad, where the first graduating class held its ceremony in 1901. Loop up and around the 1899 restaurant before turning south on Knoles Drive. Continue south until you reach McCreary Drive, turning east in front of the Native American Cultural Center and then south on University Drive to the trailhead at The Wedge.

Best Bites Nearby:
The Wedge Pizza and Market

Location:
University Union Expansion

Try one of the Mindful Simply-to-Go options in the grab-n-go cooler at The Wedge for a quick and healthy bite to take with you.

Strenuous 2.8 Mile Hike

From Pine Knoll Drive and Lone Tree Road head south and go past the Ceramics Complex, under I-40, just past the CCC-City bus stop (100 yards), and turn right onto a dirt road to see the trailhead.  This wooded campus terrain is rugged, rocky, and sometimes steep. The trail begins traversing rolling hills before looping northwest onto a forest service road. Runners will remain on the forest service road as it hugs a neighborhood with some flat terrain. As the trail loops east, prepare for narrow, sweeping switchbacks and pass by the ROTC training elements. Runners will re-connect to the forest service road to complete the trail, parallel to Lone Tree Road.

Best Bites Nearby:
Simple Servings
Plant Forward
Superfoods Bar

Location:
Du Bois South Union

After this workout, you’ll need a serious meal. Head over to the DüB and try our Simple Servings or Plant Forward platform, featuring non-processed foods. While you’re there, don’t forget to refuel your body at the Superfoods Bar and request grilled chicken from the Smokehouse and Grill for a little added protein.

Moderate 1.6 Mile Hike

There is plenty to see along this campus loop. The journey begins outside of Gateway Student Success Center and heads west, passing the Earnest Calderón Learning Community. Connect with the Pedway headed north toward the University Union. Cut northwest past the Union on Knoles Drive, past Cline Library on your left. Turn east on McCreary Drive in front of the Native American Cultural Center. Head north on Osborne Dr. as it turns into Tormey Drive, then squeeze between Old Main and Taylor Hall onto the tranquil North Quad. Exit the quad east and head underneath the Wettaw Chemistry building bridge on Ellery Avenue. Turn south on Beaver Street then cut east on Franklin in front of the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. Turn south on San Francisco past the Health and Learning Center on your left. Turn west on McCreary then south on Beaver again to reach the Student and Academic Services, then head west back to Gateway to finish the hike.

Best Bites Nearby:
Magellans
Simple Servings
Basic Kneads
Superfoods Bar

Location:
Hot Spot
(In the Union)

Take a minute to refuel after you hike by grabbing fresh un-processed foods from Magellans, Simple Servings, Basic Kneads and the Superfoods Bar. All of these Hot Spot platforms feature dishes that are prepared and ready to eat, making them perfect for a quick, nutritious lunch or dinner break.