Skip to content

NOVA Trail Dogs Hiking Club cover photo

NOVA Trail Dogs Hiking Club

4.8•795 ratings

Alexandria, VA, US

1,599 members · Public group

Share

What we’re about

Promoting safe, responsible canine hiking in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia! For anyone who enjoys hiking with dogs the DC metro area is a great place to explore. We hike trails in VA, MD, WV & DC. We try to have something here for every activity and fitness level but we do tend to lean towards a little more on the active rough-terrain side and away from strolls down paved trails. Most of our events are day hikes, but we'll have some over-nighters thrown in there too for the dog and owner who enjoy camping or backpacking. We also have on-leash and off-leash hikes to satisfy different puppy needs! We welcome new members to surf our site, check out our calendar or browse our dog hiking tips found in the link below; we hope you enjoy. And to our regular members, we'd like to extend our warmest thanks and appreciation to you for your support and friendship! Let's get out there and make a good impression as responsible K-9 owners and show the Northern Virginia and Washington Metropolitan area what it means to be 'trail dogs'!

RSVP Policy
Healthy Dog Policy
PUPPIES!!!
Event Organizers
Trail Rating System
Trail Dog Safety

Upcoming events

6

Sun, Dec 7 · 5:00 PM EST
2025 Pup Strut (Hampstead MD)
Coppermine Cascades Hampstead, 4 Snydersburg Road, Hampstead, MD, US
Light Junkie Series

Pup Strut is one night only Sunday Dec 7

Tickets are $13.44 online.

https://coppermine4seasons.ticketspice.com/2025-coppermine-cascade-lights

Join us for a half-mile walking trail of dazzling trees, beautiful holiday lights and decorated trails featuring a choreographed light show. Enjoy several NEW attractions along with last year’s returning favorites. Fun for every age!
Activities EVERY NIGHT include but are not limited to:
Choreographed Light Show • Light Tunnel • Festive (and Decorated) Playground Area • Santa • Children’s Train Ride (10 and under) • Snowball Experience • Holiday Movies • Crafts & Letters to Santa • Community Displays • Special Visitors • Axe Throwing (18 & up) • Photo Ops & More
Food truck vendors, hot chocolate, and adult beverages (for those ages 21+) every night
1 attendee
Mon, Dec 8 · 7:00 PM EST
2025 Merriweather Symphony of Lights Dog Night - External Tickets
MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION, 10475 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY ,, United States, MD, US
Light Junkie Series

https://www.merriweatherlights.com/walk-thru to purchase tickets for dog night.

"Dogs like the Lights too! Join us for Tail Lights and walk through the Lights with your family, friends, and pups! Costumes encouraged for both dogs and humans. All dogs must be leashed.
A portion of proceeds from this event benefit the Howard County General Hospital.

## Festive costumes welcome! Dogs not mandatory.

## Duration

2.5 Hours

## More info

The course is approximately 1 mile. Children 3 and under are free. Strollers and wagons are welcome.
Q: Do we have to arrive when the event begins or can we start our walk at any time the event is open?
A: You can start your walk any time the event is open. We close the course 30 minutes before the listed end time to give everyone ample time to walk through.
Q. Do I have to purchase a ticket for my child who is under 3 years old?
A: No.
Q. How much time do we have to go through the course?
A: You can go as fast or as slow as you want. Please just keep social distance and be respectful of everyone's space!
Q. Where is parking?
A. Merriweather lots 2 and 3.
Q: Will there be food and drinks?
A: Yes. A complete list will be on our website soon.
Q: What is the refund policy for walk through nights?
A: Refunds are not available for any Symphony of Lights events.
1 attendee
Tue, Dec 9 · 5:30 PM EST
2025 Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens & Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA, US
Light Junkie Series

I will be here with Capital Corgis and Ashburn Corgis walking until we drop! Please note they are strict on the 1:1 dog to human rule. Buy tickets for time slot in advance. Once you are in you can walk until they close.

https://tickets.novaparks.com/event/2025-meadowlarks-winter-walk-of-lights-pniz2u?utm_campaign=0ZaVKcKU&utm_source=WWOLMainPage&utm_medium=Website&utm_content=BuyButton&utm_term=Fees

First admission is 5:30 pm. Please try to book ticket for 530 - 6 pm slots to enter as a group promptly at 6

Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail decorated with thousands of sparkling lights, perfect for a date night or family holiday outing. The half-mile walk through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (Vienna, VA) features lighted nature themes and animated displays along a paved wheelchair and stroller-accessible trail. Stay warm by sipping on a hot beverage (with or without spirits), or try the new cold Amaretto Snow Globe (alcoholic) for a festive twist! Finish the evening with some tasty s’mores by the fire pit.
PLEASE NOTE:

Every person age 2 and older must have a ticket (excluding appreciation night honorees and kids buy-one-get-one-free nights).

Tickets are non-refundable. You may REBOOK your ticket to another date and time PRIOR to your event.

If the organizer cancels the event, your ticket will be refunded to your original payment type.

We have picked December 9 for the dog night - if weather doesn't cooperate we will try a different date. I'm not opposed to doing this one multiple times. This one is stroller friendly for human kids and elderly corgis.

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW RULES - Save time at the door and have your waiver filled out (under photos).

Dog Night at the Winter Walk of Lights RULES OF PARTICIPATION
1. An adult must maintain control of the dog’s leash at all times. (no more than 1 dog per adult handler)
2. Each dog owner/handler must sign the Assumption of Risk and Rules of Participation before entering.
3. All dogs must have a current license and proof of rabies vaccination.
4. All dogs must be leashed at all times. 5. Leashes must be 6-foot or less. Retractable leashes are not permitted.
6. Be courteous to other guests—clean up and dispose of dog waste in trashcans.
7. Dogs over 1 year old must be spayed or neutered. No dogs in heat.
8. Owners are responsible for their dog’s waste. We will provide plastic bags if needed. 9. All dogs must be well-behaved and remain under control of an adult handler. Winter Walk staff reserve the right to refuse admittance or determine whether an owner and pet may be asked to leave the event. Any dog displaying disruptive or aggressive behavior will be escorted from the event.
10. Female dogs in season are not permitted.
11. No dogs with health conditions that may endanger themselves or others are allowed.
12. Meadowlark Botanical Garden is not responsible for any injury or illness. Each dog owner is responsible for his or her own dog. If your dog causes damage to any person or property, you are responsible.
3 attendees
Sat, Dec 13 · 6:00 PM EST
2025 Lights on the Lake (Harpers Ferry WV)
Lights on the Lake (Shannondale), 1329 Lakeside Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV, US
Light Junkie Series

https://www.lightsonthelakewv.com/TicketEvent/LightsOnTheLake/Register

#### Experience the Magic of the Season at Lights on the Lake 2025

A dazzling holiday light walkthrough in Harpers Ferry, WV - open select nights from November 29 - December 28.
Step into a winter wonderland at Lights on the Lake, the region’s most enchanting holiday light show located on the shores of Lake Shannondale in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Whether you’re making memories with your family, snapping the perfect holiday photo, or enjoying a cozy stroll with hot cocoa in hand, this festive light experience is a must-see holiday tradition.
Explore over 500,000 twinkling lights, themed displays, and the magical Community Trees – all in a walkthrough event that’s perfect for all ages.

#### 🎟 Ticket & Event Info

📅 Open: Select Nights from November 29 – December 28, 2025
⏰ Time: Gates open at 5:30pm each night; closing time varies by date. Select your time slot at checkout.
💵 Admission: $8 for guests 5 and up, $4 for little ones ages 3-4, and free for children under 2.
🚗 Parking: $5 per vehicle
🐾 Pets: Friendly dogs on leashes are welcome!
🦽 Accessibility: Please note that the main path is gravel and may not be suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
1 attendee

Past events

328

Organizers

Alex and 8 others

Members

1,599

Related topics

Off-Leash Dog Recreation