Get Out!
If you have the gear and the guts, the sky’s the limit.
By Joel Warner

When you need a study break, nothing beats spending time in the great outdoors. And whether your idea of an adventure is a walk in the park or plunging into subterranean caverns, the Pittsburgh region has it.

Pittsburgh has the feel of a big city, but it also has a wild side. Students can easily escape the urban hustle and bustle, whether it means heading to the neighborhood park or driving over the hills and into the countryside.

"The Pittsburgh area is a hidden treasure," said Michael Sobkowiak, of Venture Outdoors. "It has all the amenities of a big city, but students are amazed how simple it is to hike and bike right outside their dorms, or enjoy a day in the countryside. We have everything here short of glacier walking."