Vint Hill Farms Station

Let's go for a hike around historic Vint Hill Farms Station! After the hike, the Cold War Museum will be open for a visit, if desired.

In June 1942 the U.S. Army established a top-secret post at Vint Hill Farms to intercept enemy radio transmissions, providing critical intelligence on enemy dispositions in France prior to the D-Day invasion. The post remained operational throughout the Cold War, finally closing in 1997. Since then many of the buildings have been repurposed, and conversions are ongoing today.

❶ What we'll do:

• From the parking lot at Wirth Lane and Farm Station Road, we'll go for a counter-clockwise hike around the Vint Hill Farms area, checking out the many Vint Hill Farms Station buildings.
• Total distance is a little over 4 miles and should take around an hour and a half. The trail surface is paved walking paths and sidewalks. This is an easy hike.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/9sa7xms7

❷ How to get there:

• From the I-495 Capital Beltway (either direction), take Exit 49A to I-66 W, following signs for Front Royal. Drive 21 miles along I-66 W. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 43A to merge onto US-29 S toward Gainesville/Warrenton and drive 5.1 miles. Turn left onto VA-215 E and follow it for 1.9 miles. Turn right onto Vint Hill Pkwy and follow it for 0.6 miles. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto Farm Station Rd/Watson Ct. Follow Farm Station Ct for another 0.3 miles and turn right onto Wirth Lane. The parking lot will be directly in front of you, between Old Bust Head Brewing Co and Vint Hill Craft Winery. See https://goo.gl/maps/Qk2cENb3LvWvFPyx7
• Sorry, this is not a Metro-accessible hike.

❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). The layered look is recommended.

❹ Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 59F, with 5-7 mph S winds and a 1% chance of showers. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/3ckua4th

❺ Advisories: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff: Restrooms are located at commercial facilities around the Vint Hill Farms parking lot; however, many do not open until noon, so you may want to make a pit stop en route to the hike. See notes below.

❼ Notes:

• The Cold War Museum, 7172 Lineweaver Rd, Warrenton, VA 20187, (540) 341-2008, http://coldwar.org/
• Covert Cafe, 7168 Lineweaver Rd, Warrenton, VA 20187, (540) 351-6155, http://www.covertcafe.com/
• Mister French Espresso Bar, 7126 Farm Station Rd, Warrenton, VA 20187
• Vint Hill Craft Winery, 7150 Lineweaver Rd, Warrenton, VA 20187, (540) 351-0000, http://www.vinthillcraftwinery.com/
• Vint Hill Farms Station: Cold War History in DC’s Backyard, https://tinyurl.com/3eupbwdp
• Vint Hill Farms Station Historic District: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/030-0020/
• McDonald's, 7461 Hillwood Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155
• Sheetz, 11627 Nokesville Rd, Bristow, VA 20136
• Wawa, 14461 Lee Hwy, Gainesville, VA 20155