What we’re about
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 were 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 (4+)
See all- Prince William Forest Park (Rating: C)Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground, Triangle, VA
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 hike is 8 miles with about 600 feet of elevation gain, on dirt trails.
The Mountain Laurel should be in full bloom. We will hike the Taylor Farm/Burma Road, North Valley, South Valley and Turkey Run trails. Trails are a little rocky in spots. Easy stream crossings.
Trailhead parking is at the Turkey Run Education Center
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2iVq8gSJxmu5p1BV9
GPS Coordinates: 38.582832, -77.373761Directions to park: I95 South to Exit 150B. Follow for 400 yards to entrance to park. Enter park and take first left after entrance kiosk.
Parking is about a 8 minute drive from the park entrance. It is not the main parking lots by the Visitor Center. Please arrive 15 min early to sign in.We hike at a pace of about 2.5-2.7 mph while moving.
Restrooms are available at the start.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leaders: Kris Needham 618.623.2484 and Dane Luck 703.850.3266. Note: Cell reception is poor to non-existent in the park.
Park Entry Fee: $20.00 or free with US Park Service Pass
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/pwpf-mt-laurel-loop-8-miles-70e9dbe
- Meneka Peak Loop (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride, Centreville, VA
You must read the following 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 8.1 mile loop with 1,800 ft elevation gain in George Washington National Forest. The first 2.5 miles are uphill and challenging but then we hike the ridge and work our way back down to the Signal Knob parking lot. The first half is pretty rocky so hiking sticks are recommended. We'll hike at a 2.0 to 2.5 mph. Hiking map: https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/pdf/v2/meneka-peak-loop-636df2a5.pdf
Lader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Park Entry Fee: $0
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 08:00 am. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will not be at the carpool location.
If you are meeting at the trailhead go to the Signal Knob Parking lot in George Washington National Park. GPS coordinates: 38.935290, -78.320090
We will start hiking at 09:00 AM.
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.
- Lake Fairfax Park and Bike Lane Brewery-Reston (Rating: C)The Bike Lane (new shop location), Reston, VA
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 enjoyable hike with the Lake, lots of graceful full growth trees and the fun of winding through multiple trails in this relatively compact Park. The Hike route is about 7.5 miles with 460 feet of elevation. The Hike route is a loop consisting primarily of dirt trails.
We will start at the Bike Lane Brewing &Café, at 11150 Sunset Hills, Reston VA 20190. The Bike Shop and Brewery is adjacent to Lake Fairfax Park and for those interested, we can enjoy a beer after the hike.You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain. We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 -3.0 mph while moving.
Restrooms are available at the start point and at our break point during the hike.
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-may-13-2025-bb576d1?u=i&sh=iypgzx - Fountainhead East (Rating: C)Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA
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 7.3 mile hike with 722 feet of elevation (most in a 2 mile stretch). There are small stream crossings, tree roots, and some rocky areas. Also, the trail could be muddy in spots if there has been recent rain.
From the Fountainhead parking lot we head East to the quiet side of the park. We hike primarily on equestrian trails where rarely is a horse seen. There are some very nice views of the Occoquan Reservoir. We'll also come across at least one abandoned car!
Our pace will be 2-2.5 miles per hour when moving. We will start at the Fountainhead Park parking lot. Please arrive a few minutes early to get signed in. We leave promptly at 9:00 a.m.
Afterwards, an optional lunch a short distance away.
WHERE TO MEET: After pulling into Fountainhead Park (10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax, VA), go a ways in, past the maintenance building on the right. The parking lot is the next turn; it's on the right. Look for a Blue SUV with the back hatch open.
NEED TO KNOW: There are small stream crossings, tree roots, some rocky areas and the elevation is rolling for the first half of the hike. If it's rained recently the trail may be muddy, so you may want hiking poles. We will stop about halfway for a snack. Bring plenty of water.
DETAILS: There are restrooms a little beyond the parking lot on the right. Go to the end of the parking lot and take a short walk further ahead to flush toilets. Or there are porta potties in the parking lot.
POST HIKE LUNCH FOR THOSE INTERESTED:
Brickmaker's Cafe in Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Rd, Lorton, VA 22079. or
Squisito Pizza & Pasta, 8971 Ox Rd, Lorton.
