About us
THE CLUB www.nvhc.com
The Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC) offers a range of hikes of various difficulty levels in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and beyond. The club also offers other outdoor events occasionally. NVHC members reflect the rich diversity of the Washington DC Metro area. Annual membership fee is $5. Guests are welcome and enjoy a month’s free participation in the club events. NVHC is a nonprofit organization and donates funds to local parks and trail maintenance organizations from time to time. The selection of the parks and organizations is based on club usage - it is our way of giving back. Monies vary each time - $7,200 was donated in 2023.
Members are required to accept the liability disclaimer by typing “Accept” in the fields presented when they join the club.
DIFFICULTY RATINGS
NVHC hikes are assigned difficulty ratings. A combination of linear distance and elevation gain is used to determine the rating, with 400 feet of elevation gain considered to be equivalent of 1 mile of linear distance. With the “miles” derived from elevation gain added to the linear distance, following are the ratings:
A+= Very Difficult (19 miles or more)
A = Difficult (13 miles or more, but less than 19 miles)
B = Moderately Difficult (10 miles or more, but less than 13 miles)
C = Moderate (7 miles or more, but less than 10 miles)
D = Easy (Less than 7 miles)
For example, a nine-mile hike with 1,000 feet of climbing would be rated B (9 + 2.5 = 11.5).
Elevation loss is not measured in this system. Also, the difficulty rating is separate from the pace of the hike, which is determined by the leader, and is usually specified in the individual hike descriptions.
RSVP ETIQUETTE
Often there are limits on the number of participants on NVHC events, set by our leaders. This creates wait lists on Meetup. If you find yourself in this situation, we request that you keep in mind the interest of the leaders and your fellow hikers, and follow the guidelines below:
- If you RSVP’d “yes” for a hike, change your RSVP to “no” as soon as you decide not to go, so that someone else can go.
- If you RSVP’d “yes” to overlapping events on the same day, decide on one as soon as possible, and change your RSVP to “no” for all others.
- If you are on a wait list and decide not to go, remove yourself from the list.
DOGS ON HIKES
Dogs are welcome on NVHC hikes at the discretion of the hike leader. Several restrictions apply including advance notification to the leader, dogs being well behaved, and their being kept on a six foot leash. See dog policy located at [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy] for details.
Upcoming events
20
Billy Goat B & C Trails, Olmsted Island, C&O Towpath - (Rating: B)
Billy Goat Trail Section C, Naval Surface Warfare Center 38.972500, -77.200000, Carderock, MD, USYou must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
10.5 miles with 250 feet elevation gain.
Let's hike the recently reopened Billy Goat B trail which has been closed for several years. One of my favorite sections, I'm glad it's back!
This is a beautiful area along the scenic C&O Canal National Historical Park towpath. This trek will include a hike on Billy Goat B & C trails with great views of the Potomac River, as well as the roaring waters of Olmsted Island and the Great Falls overlook. This route includes a very scenic section of the towpath.
Description:
We'll start our hike on Billy Goat C trail and hike until we connect with the C&O Canal towpath. We'll hike to the Tavern visitor center for lunch break before we reconnect with the towpath. and make our way to Olmsted Island and the Great Falls Overlook. We'll then resume on the towpath until we cross over the canal onto Berma Road for a short distance where we reconnect to the towpath at Angler's Inn parking area. We're back on the towpath where we will connect to Billy Goat B trail. Note: There is one stream crossing on Billy Goat B which is fairly easily crossed by stone stepping.
After completing Billy Goat B, we'll then connect back to the towpath and return to the trailhead parking.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots on both Billy Goat B & C.
Restrooms are available at the Carderock Picnic Area parking lot where we start as well as at the Tavern Visitor Center. Hiking poles may be useful if you normally use them.Trailhead:
We will meet in the Carderock Picnic Grounds parking lot in Carderock Recreation Area.
Please plan on being there at 8:45am so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time.Dogs are welcome.
Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyPlease note: Dogs are not allowed on the Olmsted Island boardwalk, so you will have to wait while the group completes the Olmsted Island walk.
There are no fees.
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdfDirections to Carderock Picnic Grounds Parking at Carderock Recreation Area:
From I-495, take the exit for Clara Barton Pkwy, continue on the Pkwy until you see the exit for Carderock near the Naval Surface Warfare Center. After exiting at Carderock, you will pass under the towpath tunnel. Turn left after going under the towpath tunnel and continue into the picnic grounds parking lot.
GPS 38.97122, -77.19874Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
39 attendees
Occoquan Regional Park to Lorton Workhouse (Rating: C)
Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Occoquan, VA, USYou must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
7.5 miles 500 feet elevation gain
Description:
Occoquan Regional Park offers paved and unpaved hiking trails that wind through forests and offer scenic views of the Occoquan River. Highlights of the park include the Turning Point Suffrage Memorial as well as the Beehive Brick Kiln.From Occoquan Park, we will hike to the Lorton Workhouse which was the site of the original Lorton Prison, officially known as the Lorton Reformatory and later the Lorton Correctional Complex, closed in 2001. It was the last of seven prisons in the Lorton complex to close as part of a plan to revitalize the District of Columbia. The facility had been in operation since 1910. We'll hike a few trails there before returning to Occoquan Park.
Info:
There are restrooms at the start of the hike as well as halfway through where we will stop for lunch/snack break.Bring:
Plenty of water/hydration. Recommend comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Lunch/snacks.Fee:
There are no fees to enter and park.Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyPlease arrive by 8:45am so that we can get everyone checked in and start on time, as we are trying to beat the hottest part of the day.
Optional post-hike rehydration at Brickmakers Cafe.
How to get there:
Physical Address: 9751 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079
From I-95 take exit 160 and go north on SR 123 for 1.6 miles to the park entrance on the right, just after the bridge. Park in the parking lot adjacent to the Turning Point Suffrage Memorial. I'll be in a white SUV with the rear hatch open. Please arrive by 8:15 am so we can get everyone checked in and ready to hike.
GPS 38.68188, -77.25269Occoquan Regional Park
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/occoquan-regional-parkLorton Workhouse
https://www.workhousearts.org/Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text /call @ 202-528-0456. If you text, please include your name.
40 attendees
Herndon & Stream Valley Parks (Rating: C)
Runnymede Park, 195 Herndon Pkwy, Herndon, VA, USYou must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
This is an 9 mile hike with 250’ elevation gain starting at Runnymeade Park in Herndon. We will begin on the Sugarland Run and Folly Lick Stream Valley Park trails. After that, we will walk on Herndon Parkway then the ~2 miles on the W&OD Bike Trail through the town of Herndon and return on the Sugarland Run Stream Valley trail. A fair amount of the hike is on paved walkways. We will be in the sun for a good portion of the hike.
We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
There are some small stream crossings on pylons.
High water levels could require postponement of the hike.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at Runnymeade Park in Herndon at 8:30am. GPS Coordinates: 38.972193, -77.369569
https://goo.gl/maps/norbMTUSAbDFMPju7Depending on the direction you come from you may have to make a U-turn to get to the park entrance. Parking is limited, if it is full you will need to proceed a couple of blocks away and park on Leona Lane in a nearby subdivision.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920(C)
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/morning-hike-at-herndon-stream-valley-parks-ebe4bab?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
30 attendees
AT: Manassas Gap Trail-Thompson Wildlife Area (Rating: A)
Tucker's Lane AT Trailhead Parking, 3128 Tuckers Lane, Markham, VA, USMUST DO: You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
UPDATE: Join us for a hike along the Appalachian Trail (AT). This is a 10.4-mile hike, mostly on the AT), with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The pace will be moderate (2-2.5 mph average speed) We will take short breaks at intersections and a lunch break. Part of the hike will be in the Thompson State Wildlife Management Area, just outside Linden VA. Right out of the car we ascend a bit over 1,000 vertical feet (moderate, not steep climb) in the first 2 miles. After that, we will enter the Thompson State Wildlife Management Area, which is where the trillium blooms in April. On the return we will stop for a brief lunch.
I recommend that you have micro spikes with you, as the trail could still be icy or packed snow, especially at higher elevations.
Hike Route on AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-2d03ea0
The pace will be a bit slower than most A-level hikes. We will hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph. You should be experienced in this level of hike.
No dogs are allowed.
20 attendees
Past events
4704
