Cornell Outdoor Education Facilities

Cornell Outdoor Education is widely known for having some of the best outdoor education facilities in the country. Our primary facility is the Hoffman Challenge Course, a comprehensive high and low ropes course situated on scenic Mt. Pleasant, just 5 miles from the Cornell campus. Our other facilities include the 5500 square foot Phillips Outdoor Program Center, complete with classroom and equipment outfitting center, and the Lindseth Climbing Wall, the largest natural rock indoor climbing wall in North America.

The Hoffman Challenge Course, featuring over 50 low and high element challenges, is one of the largest collegiate ropes courses in the country. The high elements are challenges situated 20-40 feet above the ground, and navigated individually or in pairs while participants are secured by a belay system. The centerpiece of the facility is a 64-foot high replica of Cornell's McGraw Tower, complete with "tree fort" platform, rappelling stations, a 400-foot double Zipline, and a 40-foot Giant Swing. Other high elements include high Balance Beams, Pamper Poles, a Flying Squirrel, and many others.

In the wooded areas around the tower are over 30 low elements, a group obstacle course of sorts designed to challenge groups and teams to work together in a variety of ways. Some low activities are physically challenging, but most emphasize teamwork through problem-solving and mutual support. Among the low elements are classic activities such as the Spiders Web and Trust Fall, along with more recently designed elements such as the Whalewatch (a balance platform for groups of up to 25).

Finally, the Hoffman Challenge Course also includes two spacious and enchanting yurts that can be used for retreats, workshops, or even overnight trips.

Taken as a whole, the Hoffman Challenge Course represents one of the most comprehensive facilities of its kind. The range of activities has been selected to cater to groups with diverse goals and abilities. The course is also extensive enough to accommodate groups for several days at a time without exhausting or repeating the available options.

Directions to the Hoffman Challenge Course from Cornell:

1. Take Campus Rd. (location of Bartels Hall) East (uphill) to its end at Caldwell Road.
2. Turn right onto Caldwell Road and go to stop.
3. Turn left onto Rt. 366 and go about 2 miles.
4. In the hamlet of Varna, turn right onto Mt. Pleasant Rd. at the four-way intersection (no light or stop sign). Go exactly 2.7 miles.
5. At 2.7 miles (just before the white observatory on the right) turn left and park in the gravel parking lot.
6. Walk in along the tree line about 1000 feet and you will see the Hoffman Challenge Course.

A map from Cornell to the Hoffman Challenge Course is available for download (214KB) [PDF].

Directions to the Hoffman Challenge Course from downtown Ithaca:

1. Take Rt. 13 to Rt. 79E (Green St. at first, later turning into State St.).
2. Go just over 1 mile on 79E to fork with 366. Bear left on Rt. 366.
3. Follow 366 as it winds through a residential neighborhood and then passes the university on the left. Go 3 miles all together.
4. In the hamlet of Varna, turn right onto Mt. Pleasant Rd. at the four-way intersection (no light or stop sign). Go exactly 2.7 miles.
5. At 2.7 miles (just before the white observatory on the right) turn left and park in the gravel parking lot.
6. Walk in along the tree line about 1000 feet and you will see the Hoffman Challenge Course.

Directions to the Hoffman Challenge Course from Cortland/Syracuse:

1. Take I-81 to Rt 13 at exit 11 (or Rt. 281 at exit 12, and then Rt. 281 to Rt. 13)
2. Follow Rt. 13 through the village of Dryden, where it turns right. Go 6 more miles after right turn.
3. Bear left on Rt. 366. Go 1.6 miles
4. In the hamlet of Varna, turn left onto Mt. Pleasant Rd. at the four-way intersection (no light or stop sign). Go exactly 2.7 miles.
5. At 2.7 miles (just before the white observatory on the right) turn left and park in the gravel parking lot.
6. Walk in along the tree line about 1000 feet and you will see the Hoffman Challenge Course.

**If you pass the white observatory you've gone just a little too far.