What we’re about
** BUS HIKES ARE BACK!!! **
Come ride our bus to day-hike adventures at the region's many beautiful outdoor destinations! Experience the trails 52 weeks a year with Capital Hiking Club, a non-profit group that's been operating since 1937, welcoming the public to join us on all hikes. We specialize in hiking options that challenge a range of skill levels and fulfill the varied interests of our hikers. Saturday weekly hikes: Long hikes averaging 9-12 miles and shorter hikes averaging 6-9 miles, plus social time with post-hike refreshments. The Club's chartered bus starts picking up hikers near 17th and K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC and makes more pick-up stops in either VA or MD (depending on the destination) for most Saturday hikes. Occasional trailhead or carpool hikes are offered. We also lead moonlight hikes on the C&O Canal Towpath as well as full-moon hikes downtown.
*** Find the complete quarter's hiking schedule by going to www.capitalhikingclub.org ***
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CAPITAL HIKING CLUB MISSION STATEMENT
To provide the Washington, DC metropolitan area with safe, quality hiking and outdoor activities, and to promote fellowship, the sport of hiking, and love and respect for natural environments.
Our values are:
Safety – to ensure that all Club activities are conducted in the safest possible manner
Inclusion – to welcome persons interested in the sport of hiking without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic circumstance
Accessibility – to provide hiking opportunities in the Washington, DC area, within reach by public transportation to the extent possible
Preservation – to promote love and respect for, and preservation of, natural environments
Community – to foster fellowship among those who take part in the Club's activities
Volunteerism – to develop a core group who support the Club by such means as leading hikes, serving on committees and the Executive Board, and assisting with other necessary tasks
Longevity – to employ sound management and financial principles to ensure the continued existence of the Capital Hiking Club as a going concern
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hike: Old Rag Mtn., SNP, VA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$36.00
Park Map / VA Bus
$36 plus park fee or pass. Harder rock scrambling hike: 9½ mi., 2500 ft. ascent. Easier out-and-back hike: up to 10½ mi., up to 2500 ft. ascent.
December is one of the better times to tackle Old Rag, when it is considerably less crowded than it is in the warmer months. The views from the delightful scramble along the mile-long summit ridge of exposed rock make Old Rag nearly everyone’s favorite mountain in these parts. We’ll climb the famed peak via the classic circuit from Nethers on the Ridge Trail, Saddle Trail and Weakley Hollow Fire Road. An easier but longer choice: an out-and-back hike on the Fire Rd and Saddle Trail in which you can turn around at any point and avoid the rock scrambling.-------------------------------------
COVID PRECAUTIONS
All participants should be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.***
RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.BUS STOPS: VIRGINIA ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- ROSSLYN: Key Bridge Marriott Hotel bus stop at approximately 8:10 a.m. The stop is on Route 29 (Lee Highway) at the local Metro bus stop, NOT directly in front of the hotel. The bus will very briefly stop at the curb to pick up hikers.
- VIENNA METRO: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: There is a "south" parking lot where there are also bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of hikers who say they're Capital Hiking Club, you're likely at the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Harpers Ferry, WV17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$36.00
PATC Map 7/ MD Bus
"$36 plus park fee or pass. Morning hike options – Long hike: 6½ mi., 1500 ft. ascent; Moderate hike: 4½ mi., 1150 ft. ascent.An early December Capital tradition, this outing has a bit of everything – hiking, history, and a festive atmosphere. For hiking, we offer morning routes to the Cliff Overlook with its picture-postcard view of Harpers Ferry, and a longer hike to Maryland Heights. For history and early holiday ambience, check out the decorations in Harpers Ferry, where shops, museums and lunch opportunities abound. Special events will be going on all day around town.
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COVID PRECAUTIONS
All participants should be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.***
RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
- Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
- Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Antietam National Battlefield, MD17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$36.00
Park Map/ MD Bus
$36. Long hike: 9½ mi. Moderate hike: 6½ mi. Minimal elevation gain for both hikes.
Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the bloodiest single day of combat in American military history and the battle played an important role in the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields: visitors will view a landscape that has altered little since 1862, when the battle occurred. All hikers will take the Cornfield Trail and the West Wood Trail. They will then pass through the “Bloody Lane” and proceed along the Three Farms Trail and Union Advance Trail to the Burnside Bridge. Long hikers will take an additional loop at the bridge along the Snavely Farm and Final Attack Trails.
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COVID PRECAUTIONS
All participants should be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.***
RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
- Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
- Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
