Nolichucky 115 Challenge

The Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute (NOLI) invites you to join us for our 1st Annual Nolichucky 115 Challenge (NOLI 115). Our mission is to celebrate the outdoors and help other do the same and we are fortunate enough to have one of the most beautiful playgrounds on earth here in our backyard!

The Challenge sets a goal of 115 miles (the length of the Nolichucky River) to be completed by December 31, 2024. These miles can be hiked and/or paddled in any wilderness area (forest, river or lake). As a bonus, all miles completed as part of a NOLI course count DOUBLE towards your total mileage! For example, if you participate in one of our guided hikes or kayak classes and accumulate 6 miles, it counts as 12 miles for the Challenge.

To help participants explore our region, we will occasionally post suggestions on places to hike or paddle on our Facebook page. Some of these may be well-known classics such as the Laurel Falls hike, but we will also share tidbits about some of the lesser-known hiking and paddle trails to explore. Those who complete the challenge will be named a NOLI 115 Adventurer and receive a certificate, patch and 20% off discount code to use on a future Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute class.

Challenge Rules Summary:

• Time Frame: May 1 – December 31, 2024
• Total miles needed: 115 Miles. Miles completed as part of a NOLI course count DOUBLE!
• Miles may be accumulated by either hiking or paddling (kayak, canoe or SUP)
• Trails can be repeated!
• You may track each hiking/paddling activity using whichever method works best for you. You may use our provided log sheet (click HERE), your favorite app, such as Strava or Garmin Connect or any other method to record your mileage. Be sure to include date, name of trail/waterway and total miles accumulated. When you have completed the challenge, submit your log sheet or download screenshots of your app’s training log to info@nolilearn.org
• To encourage others to adventure outside, we’d love for you to post photos of your activities to social media and tag them with #nolilearn.

Time spent outdoors and in nature can help with both mental and physical health. We hope the Nolichucky 115 Challenge will encourage you to explore places you may not have adventured before and rediscover the natural beauty all around us. Take the Challenge by yourself or share the love and invite friends and family to join you!