What we’re about
“Not all who wander are lost.”
--J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Riddle of Strider”
For 90 years, the Wanderbirds Hiking Club has been leading adventurous souls into the mountains, forests and valleys of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania every Sunday all year long. Our day hikes are suitable for hikers of every age, shape, size and hiking level, whether experienced or beginning.
Wanderbirds travel to our hikes by either Metro, carpool, or chartered bus, and sometimes simply meet at a trailhead. For every hike, we provide experienced hike leaders, red arrow trail markers and trail maps for a “moderate” (7-10 miles) and “long” (10-13 miles) hike, plus social time with post-hike refreshments. Most of the time, both easier and more challenging hikes can be arranged. Bus hikes start by picking up hikers near 17th & K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC; a second stop varies between Vienna and Grosvenor metro stations, depending on the hike destination.
*** Find the complete quarter's hiking schedule by going to www.wanderbirds.org ***
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hike: Wheaton Regional Park, Rachel Carson Greenway Trail and NW Branch, MDBrooksides garden 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902, Silver Spring, MDUSD 5.00
(Trailhead hike) Brookside Gardens is one of the hidden gems of the DC metro area. It is perhaps at its most colorful during the spring. Both hikes start at the Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and proceed through the Gardens to the Wheaton Park Nature Center. From there all hikers will follow trails to cross Kemp Mill road, and turn right on the Northwest Branch Trail. Shortly after, we will cross over the creek to the Rachel Carson trail, follow it downstream to Colesville road. On the way back we will take the Northwest Branch trail upstream. Long hikers follow the moderate route with an extra mile around Brookside gardens. Est.: 9.3 miles, <300' elevation and 10.3 miles, <300' elevation. Park map. Fee: $5.00
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Rose River Loop, Dark Hollow Falls, and Lewis Spring Falls Trails, SNP,VA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DCUSD 33.00
Bus hike) You cannot help but enjoy this hike if you like the gushing water of three of the SNP’s finest waterfalls and scenic overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley. Hikers will start with the waterfalls and round out the day with a walk on the A-T as it overlooks the Shenandoah Valley. Long and moderate hikers will start at Fishers Gap. Moderate hikers will descend the Rose River Fire Road to Dark Hollow Falls where they can climb the Dark Hollow trail to the lower falls and return to the Rose River trail and proceed with other moderate hikers on the Rose River Loop Trail. Meanwhile, long hikers will hike the A-T south toward Big Meadows and go right on the Lewis Falls Trail which they will follow to an 0.25 access trail to Lewis Falls. After enjoying the Falls, long hikers climb the Lewis Falls Road, passing the A-T before reaching Skyline Drive. Long hikers go left on Skyline Drive to Dark Hollow Parking Lot. They descend the Dark Hollow trail, passing a series of small and large waterfalls, pools of water, and rapidly flowing water. At the bottom of Dark Hollow trail, long hikers will go right on the Rose River Loop trail as they join Moderate hikers. All hikers will enjoy the Rose River as they traverse the Rose River Loop Trail. The trail will ascend after crossing the Rose River, eventually reaching Rose River Falls on the right where hikers enjoy another powerful waterfall. After visiting the Falls, all hikers will continue their ascent on the Rose River Trail to where it intersects with the Rose River Fire Road. Hikers will go right on the Fire Road, following it as it crosses Skyline Drive to the A-T where they will go right. Hikers will continue (north) on the A-T and enjoy a series of views of the Shenandoah Valley before reaching an access trail to Crescent Rock Overlook, which they ascend to the bus Est.: 12.2 miles, 3500' elevation and 8 miles, 1500' elevation. PATC map 10. Fare: $33 plus park fee or pass.
VA Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Mary's Rock/Pinnacles Overlook, SNP, VA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DCUSD 33.00
(Bus hike) If you took a poll of DC-area hikers on their favorite panoramic viewpoint in Shenandoah, Mary’s Rock might well be the winner. See why today as we ascend to the rocky overlook southbound on the Appalachian Trail from Thornton Gap on Rt.211. After taking in the view and passing several other viewpoints, we turn on the Meadow Springs Trail and then the Hazel Mtn. Trail. From the latter, moderate hikers take the Catlett Spur and Hannah Run Trails to the Pinnacles Overlook on the Skyline Drive. Long hikers reach the overlook via a longer route on the Catlett Mtn. and Hannah Run Trails. Be sure to reserve some energy for the last ascent along the Hannah Run Trail to the parking area. Est.: 9.5 miles, 2900' elevation and 8.0 miles, 2500' elevation. Park map. Fee: $33 plus park fee or pass.
VA Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Sunset Rocks and Pine Grove Furnace, PA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DCUSD 33.00
(Bus hike) The Appalachian Trail at its midpoint in southern Pennsylvania is gently undulating, passing through an area that still contains remains of artifacts of the state’s iron foundry industry. All hikers begin from Shippensburg Rd. and go to Dead Woman’s Hollow. Moderate hikers continue on the AT, while long hikers go along Dead Woman’s Hollow Road and the Blueberry Trail before rejoining the AT. All hikers proceed to the junction with the Sunset Rocks Trail, where there is an option to take the Sunset Rocks Trail for a viewpoint and a challenging rock scramble. Hikers continue to Pine Grove Furnace and then take a brief road walk that passes the AT Museum to the parking area at Fuller Lake. Est.: 10.5 miles, 1300' elevation and 8.5 miles, 800' elevation. Park map. Fee: $33.
MD Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Grosvenor Metro station at Tuckerman Lane off Rockville Pike in Bethesda (just north of the Beltway) Meet there by 8:15 a.m. Plenty of parking is available.
RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
