Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

4.9•28039 ratings

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

See all

Harpers Ferry Short Version (Rating: C)
Mon, Jan 26 · 8:00 AM EST
One Loudoun Park and Ride, 20360 Savin Hill Dr, One Loudoun, VA, US
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.

This is an 6.5 mile hike with 1000’ elevation gain to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and is perfect for those that want to experience Maryland Heights without having to do a long hike. We will begin at the Harpers Ferry Train Station parking lot. We will hike the AT and then along the Shenandoah River and then at Appalachian Trail across the Potomac River on the footbridge. Taking a left we go briefly along the C&O Canal before taking the steep trails up to Maryland Heights for lunch. We hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.

Rating: C (Upper level C hike, almost a B)

Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)

Park Entry Fee: $20 or free with National Park pass.

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Carpools: Arrive at the One Loudoun Park and Ride at 7:45am, carpools leav at 8:00am GPS Coordinates: 39.053141, -77.459133, https://maps.app.goo.gl/MUJ2c9E1oVYRu5Rp7 . Suggested carpool fee is $4. The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location ~1 hour.

If you are going to the trailhead, meet at the Harpers Ferry Train Station at 9:00am, hike starts at 9:15am. A national park pass (leave on car dashboard) or $20 payment upon arrival using a smartphone and a credit or debit card via a QR code system.
GPS coordinates: 39.324540, -77.731047 https://goo.gl/maps/yLmDLB9cx44Bkr4z7

Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.

AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-4165db0?u=i&sh=7cs7ov

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
35 attendees
Beaverdam Reservoir (Rating: C)
Tue, Jan 27 · 9:00 AM EST
Brambleton Park West, 22404 Water Vista Drive, Brambleton, VA, 20148, Ashburn, VA, US
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.

This is a pleasant 7.3 mile/ 212 foot elevation gain hike around Beaverdam Reservoir with plenty of water views. For those of you who like numbers the reservoir is 350 acres and holds between 1.3 and 1.5 billion gallons of water.

We will meet in front of the Visitors Center at 8:45. The Visitor Center, with the trailhead, is new and the GPS mapping apps are still updating.
The Reservoir Park Main entrance is located within the Brambleton Community Park West Baseball field complex, accessed from Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn.
The address is 22211 Water Vista Drive Ashburn, Virginia.
The GPS coordinates are: 39.00223 N, 77.53529W.

We hike at a pace of ~ 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Meet in front of the Visitor Center at 8:45am for sign-in. Restrooms are available.

Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic

Leaders: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174

Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/reservoir-park-trail?sh=iypgzx&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
38 attendees
Winter Fun: Hike and Skate in Reston (Rating: C)
Thu, Jan 29 · 9:00 AM EST
Cava, 1815 Fountain Drive, Reston, VA, US
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.

Join us for winter fun, hiking and ice skating! First time skaters welcome.

We will meet next to the Mercury Fountain, which is north of the Ice Rink. From the fountain, we will take the Green Trail to Lake Anne. From there we continue on the Blue Trail and some other paths until we reach Lake Fairfax. We will zigzag through Lake Fairfax Park and we will have a break at Lake Fairfax Park Campground A (excellent facilities). Then we will continue through the Lake Fairfax Park until we make a right turn that will bring us close to the Reston Golf Course. We will hike along the golf course until we hit the W&OD trail at Sallie Mae Drive. Then we will follow the W&OD trail back to Reston, to start part 2 of the fun. The hike is 6 miles with ~400 feet elevation gain.

We plan to arrive at the Reston Ice Rink about 11:45am for the ice skating portion of this event, followed by lunch at Makers Union about 1pm. Cost for skating is $11 adults/$9 senior or military plus $8 skate rental.
Please only sign up if you are interested in both the hike and ice skating, as space is limited. Thank you.

Distance: 6 miles
Elevation: 400 ft.
Pace: 2.5-3 mph while moving
Coordinates of the meeting place: 38.958924, -77.356932
Dogs: not allowed
Leaders: Willem Janssen, (202) 280-4397 and Kris N. (618) 623-2484
Rating: C
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-december-2-2024-9c838d2?u=i&sh=g8n9nn
26 attendees
Pinnacles Loop (Rating: B)
Fri, Jan 30 · 9:00 AM EST
Pinnacles Overlook, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, VA, US
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.

The hike is in the central district of Shenandoah National Park, with a length of about 7.5 miles and ~1800' of elevation gain.
- We will hike down from the Overlook on the Hannah Run Trail to the Catlett Mtn Trail.
- Where we'll turn left, go 200 ft to the next intersection, and
- Turn left on the Catlett Spur and head to our low point of 2165 ft where the Spur meets the Hazel Mountain Trail.
- There we'll turn left to head up to Skyline,
- Taking a short left jog to cross the road and onto the Meadow Springs Trail and up to the AT.
- Turning left we'll continue on the AT past Byrd's Nest #3 Shelter to "The Pinnacle", third highest peak in the park at 3514 ft and the highest point on our hike.
- After lunch/snack, we continue down the AT 0.1 mi
- Turn left and take a short 800-ft BUSHWHACK to Skyline Drive.
- Turn left and walk back on the road 0.4-mi to the trailhead and our cars.
Pace: We'll hike at ~2.5 mph when moving.

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Rating: B
(although it is a bit harder B-rated hike with a short BUSHWHACK)

Leader: Harvey

Carpools: Feel free to organize carpools in the comment section below. It is 1-hr 20-min from Centreville Park & Ride to the trailhead you should leave there by 7:25a to reach Pinnacles Overlook by 8:45

Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.

Start time: 9:00 (try to be 15 min early to check in)

Trailhead: Meet at the Pinnacles Overlook on Skyline Drive just south of MP 35. Enter the park at Thornton Gap, proceed south on Skyline Drive.

Park Entry Fee: $30 or free with National Park Pass

You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain, including a bushwhack.

Trail Maps:
A pdf map of the hike can be downloaded here:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/034ZM_FvNVppn8VIj1vHu7Djg#Pinnacles_loop

A GaiaGPS map of the hike can be found here:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.3/-78.3175/38.6230&pubLink=aWIo752proPj9zakVwSWq1p5&routeId=ddb9db79-641d-40a1-8ba1-ac17852058d3
24 attendees