What we’re about
We're an adults-only group that walks and hikes in VA, DC, and MD. There are no event or membership fees.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Belmont and Historic FalmouthGari Melchers Home and Studio, Falmouth, VA
Let's meet at Belmont, Gari Melchers' Home and Studio, and explore historic Falmouth and the Belmont grounds. After the hike, those interested can go for a guided tour of Gari Melchers' home and studio. (The hike is free; the tour is $12 for general admission.)
❶ What we'll do:
- From the Visitor Center, we'll hike past the Melcher home and downhill along Washington Street for a clockwise hike around old town Falmouth, checking out the many historic sites.
- After a short break back at the Visitor Center, we will go for a hike around the Belmont grounds, exploring the Belmont farm buildings and the remnants of the canal that once turned the wheels of the riverside mills that ground thousands of barrels of flour destined for Europe.
- The first part is about 1.6 miles and the second part is about 1.4 miles, although we will probably wind up with more due to wandering off the trail to see the sights.
- The surface is hilly, mostly sidewalks on the first part, and dirt with rocks and roots on the second part. This is an easy hike.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/5n7d2ftv
❷ How to get there:
- The street address is 224 Washington Street, Falmouth, VA 22405.
- From the Capital Beltway, follow I-95 S from about 35 miles to US-17 BUS S/Warrenton Rd in Stafford County. Continue on US-17 BUS S/Warrenton Rd for about 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Washington Street; Gari Melchers' Home and Studio is the next right. For more detailed directions, see https://maps.app.goo.gl/oEtmCppvfkyoirFY8
❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes, please). Pets (except service dogs) are not allowed in any building. An umbrella or rain jacket might be useful to ward off any possible showers.
❹ Weather: The forecast is overcast and a high of 75F, with a 30% chance of showers and 5-6 mph NNE winds. See https://tinyurl.com/442uk6x4
❺ Advisory: 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: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center and at
Historic Port of Falmouth Park.❼ Notes:
- Gari Melchers Home and Studio, 224 Washington St, Falmouth, VA 22405, (540) 654-1015, https://www.garimelchers.org/
H/T to Abby for the event photo!
- Historic Warrenton and the Old Town Warrenton Fall FestivalWarrenton Visitor Center, Warrenton, VA
Let's meet at the Warrenton Visitor Center and go for a walk around historic Warrenton and the Warrenton Branch Greenway!
For bonus points, the Old Town Fall Festival will be going on from 9 am to 4 pm, featuring a wide variety of artisans and crafters exhibiting and selling handmade jewelry, fine arts, candles, tee shirts, wood furniture and stained glass goods from tents set up on Main, Falmouth and Winchester streets, plus numerous food offerings from shaved iced to BBQ.
❶ What we'll do:
- From the sidewalk in front of the Visitor Center, we'll go for a 2-mile modified loop around the northwest side of the Warrenton historic district, returning to the Visitor Center for a short break.
- After the break, we'll do the same thing for the southeast side of the historic district, about 1.25 miles, plus a 1-mile excursion along the Warrenton Branch Greenway, returning to the visitor center afterwards.
- The total distance is almost 4.5 miles, and is mostly sidewalks and gravel/dirt paths, with hills and steps here and there. This is an easy hike.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/2p88ymas
❷ How to get there:
- The street address of the visitor center is 21 Main St, Warrenton, VA 20186. It's a 35-mile drive from the Capitol Beltway.
- From the Capitol Beltway, follow I-66 W for 22 miles to US-29 S in Gainesville. Take Exit 43A onto US-29 S. Follow US-29 S for 11.7 miles. Take County Rd 643 to Warrenton, turn right onto E Lee St, another right onto Falmouth St, and continue along Main St to the visitor center. For more detailed directions, see https://maps.app.goo.gl/zgtAvjefukDLPgZH8
- Street parking is very limited around the visitor center! There are several free all day parking lots within close walking distance. See the Google map, the map in the notes below, and https://warrentonva.gov/222/Public-Parking
❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. (Leashes are required. Dogs are not allowed in the Warrenton Cemetery, one of our stops.)
❹ Weather: It's too early to see the forecast! Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/2axw2dme
❺ Advisory: 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: There are restrooms at the visitor center and at the entrance to the Warrenton Branch Greenway. (The latter is a porta-john, I'm afraid.)
❼ Notes:
- Warrenton Visitor Center, 21 Main St, Warrenton, VA 20186, (540) 341-0988, https://www.warrentonva.gov/Directory.aspx?did=25
- Warrenton City Parking Map (pdf): https://tinyurl.com/47jshkb6
- Old Town Warrenton Fall Festival: https://tinyurl.com/443y2kp9
