FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – How can you feel connected to nature on a campus of more than 32,000 students? In addition to old standbys like studying on the Old Main lawn or soaking up rays in the Greek Theatre, there’s a new recreational option at the University of Arkansas as well – the Fayetteville Traverse. 

The Fayetteville Traverse loop is an 18-mile nature trail that weaves its way through the core of campus, connects to existing community trails and creates an opportunity to mix and match commuting with recreation.  

The trail is highlighted in the university’s newest Short Takes episode, "Trail Blazers," and reminds students, faculty and staff to take the scenic route whenever possible.  

Eric Boles, director of the U of A’s Office for Sustainability, said, “Students, faculty and staff on their daily commutes have the opportunity to have some fun and folly on the way, and that creates an exciting and unique experience that only the University of Arkansas is able to offer.” 

The concept of the Fayetteville Traverse originated with identifying pockets of nature throughout campus and the southwest part of the city. Those involved with the planning realized a loop could be constructed and subsequently partnered with the non-profit Trailblazers and Progressive Trail Design, a local trail-building company, to design and build what is known as the Fayetteville Traverse. The trail is part of a gift to the U of A and city of Fayetteville from Tom Walton and Steuart Walton and the Trailblazers.  

“The entire trail loop is designed as a beginner-level mountain bike trail, with the easiest and premium sections of trail residing within the campus core,” Boles says. He likens it to a string of pearls, connecting the University of Arkansas with off-campus trails and locations including Markham Hill, Centennial Park, Kessler Mountain, the Arkansas Research and Technology Park and the Tsa La Gi Bike Park. 

In addition to the convenience, there’s something to be said about the chance to be surrounded by nature as well.  

Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for student affairs, said the trails offer the opportunity for physical wellness — getting out and about, experiencing the fresh air, seeing the trees and landscape of campus — and connect users to the natural beauty of their surroundings in a new way.  

“We know mountain biking is important to students — not only in pursuits of their physical activity, recreation and wellness opportunities, but in the programming opportunities that are completely unique,” he says. “At most other institutions, you’d have to travel hours to access such trail systems, but we literally have them on our campus ready to meet students’ needs.” 

Boles pointed out that, throughout Northwest Arkansas, there’s been a significant cultural shift toward more outdoor recreation in general, and mountain biking has been a big part of that. 

“The U of A is excited to be a part of that larger movement, and that shift includes people from all over the world,” he said. “They’re coming to ride bikes in Northwest Arkansas right now, and with this trail, those people coming from all over the nation and the world are going to go right through the core of our campus and see what the University of Arkansas has to offer.” 

For a deeper look at the Fayetteville Traverse and how students, faculty and staff are utilizing it, check out the university’s Determined story, “Trail Blazers.” For additional Short Takes videos, visit shorttakes.uark.edu.  

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.