As the cold weather begins to break, students looking for outdoor recreation need to look no further than a few miles off campus.

Whether to exercise or relax, there are a wide variety of outdoor activities to cure a case of cabin fever.

One of the area's many hiking trails might be the perfect prescription when looking for exercise or adventure.

Betsey Howell of the Centre County Convention and Visitors Bureau said the Centre County region has a large number of trails ranging from easy to difficult.

One such trail is in Shingletown located on Tussey Mountain, west of Boalsburg.

"It is a beautiful little valley," said Tom Smyth, the former director of the Outing Club.

Another trail is the hike up Mount Nittany.

The trail, located near Lemont, offers spectacular views and relatively easy hiking.

"People can hike it in anything," Smyth said. "But I do not recommend wearing high heels."

The popular trail has seven lookouts and is about four miles away from campus, near Lemont.

The trail is about a 600-foot vertical climb and takes about two to three hours to complete, Smyth said.

In addition to the trails, the Centre Region also has more than 500 acres in 37 parks throughout the area.

Ron Woodhead, director of the Centre Region Parks and Recreation said, the most popular park in the area is Spring Creek Park.

"It is probably the most popular draw," he said.

The spot, located on Houserville Road, has a creek as well as the usual ball fields, picnic areas and playgrounds.

"The park has a creek that runs through it, so that is obviously the draw," Woodhead said.

Another popular spot is Central Parklet, located on South Fraser Street near the State College High School football stadium. The location is also a popular sunbathing spot as well, Woodhead said.

Other spots that attract attention are Sunset Park and Tom Tudek Memorial Park.

The 20-acre Sunset Park is located at 850 McKee St. about four blocks from North Halls.

Tudek Park is located in Ferguson Township near Weis Market, 1471 Martin St., and offers 61 acres of land for visitors to enjoy.

Both parks also have ball fields, playgrounds and pavilions.

For more information on these destinations, or any of the other recreation spots that can be found in the area, contact the Centre County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 213-1400, or the Centre Region Parks and Recreation at 231-3071.