About us
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 was 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
16
Robertson/Corbin Hollow/Optional Swim (Rating: A)
Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, USYou 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.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a strenuous hike with alot of elevation gain in a short distance and is only suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain.
Join me on this beautiful and strenuous A hike of approximately 8.4 miles and 2400 feet of elevation gain. The hike includes the long steep ascent of the east side of Robertson Mountain to a viewpoint with a 270 degree view. We will start from the upper Old Rag Parking Lot up Weakly Hollow Road to the Robertson Mountain trailhead to ascend the mountain. We will then proceed to the Old Rag Fire Road taking the Corbin Hollow Trail back to the fire road to the cars.
NOTE: There are several water crossings and some can be difficult to cross if water levels are high. Please bring boot covers or water shoes.
For those wishing to CARPOOL, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes (with no stop). Please arrive at the Park and Ride before 7:15 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 7:15 AM sharp.
PLEASE NOTE: 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 participation is at your own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $10.00 per rider.
- Meet at the trailhead @ 8:45 am. We will start hiking at 9:00 am.
- TH Parking Coordinates: 38.572079,-78.29433 This is the Upper Old Rag Parking Lot. We will be in the bus lot across the bridge from the ranger station. If this lot is full you may have to park in the field down the road as the main parking lot is under construction.
- Park entry fee: $30.00 (Free with Park Pass)
- Carpool Fee: $10
- Dogs are welcome in accordance with NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, basic first aid kit, map, tick spray, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoes, water shoes or boot covers, additional pair of socks/liner (to protect feet from water, if needed)
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS THAT YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS.
All Trails MAP: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/robertson-mountain-trail-loop
For questions, message or call the hike leader:
Caroline S. (703) 489-13153 attendees
Bull Run Occoquan Trail (Rating: A)
7201 new stable way, gainesville, VA, 7201 new stable way, gainesville, VA, USYou 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.
Hike Overview: This is an out and back hike of 13 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Fountainhead Regional Park to the Bull Run Marina and back; the plan is to have lunch at the Bull Run Marina. The hiking pace will be 2 to 2.5 miles per hour.
Carpool Meetup location: across from Sheetz station at 7201 New Stable Way, Gainesville, VA 20155 / GPS coordinates 38.801230, -77.591288
Those wishing to carpool can meet at the University Park and Ride Lot, at 8:00 AM. The carpool location is across from the new Sheetz convenience store / gas station located at 7201 New Stable Way, Gainesville, VA 20155.
It is about a 27-mile / 36-minute (depending on traffic) trip from the carpool location to the Fountainhead Regional Park trailhead.
The hike leader will be at the carpool location in a gray Subaru Outback (Virginia license plate VTS-2219).
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.
Trailhead: (Fountainhead Regional Park parking lot) GPS: 38.725021, -77.330088.
Meetup Time: For those meeting at the trailhead, please be there no later than 9:00 AM.
Carpool Fee: The suggested carpool fee is $3.00.
Pets: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC's dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Hike Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189… please use text)
17 attendees
Leesylvania State Park (Rating: C)
2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA, USYou 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.
7.5-mile hike with 580 feet of elevation gain.
Join us at Leesylvania State Park for a scenic and enjoyable hike!
Description: We will hike several trails within the park which includes historic sites and a great bluff overlook of the Potomac River and the Neabsco Creek areas.
We will then walk along the shore of the Potomac River until reaching the forest area of Powell’s Creek where we will do another short loop to include a section of the Potomac Heritage Trail.
There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are restrooms adjacent to the parking area. Lunch/snack break about halfway through.
Bring:
Sufficient water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and good hiking shoes. . Most of the hike will be in the forest canopy. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. There are no stream crossings.Fee: The park fee is $10 unless you have a Virginia State Park Pass or an REI receipt from a participating Virginia REI. You may want to bring cash in case the contact station is not staffed. If the contact station is not staffed, place your fee or REI receipt in the envelope, tear off the tab and hang that from your rearview mirror.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Leesylvania State Park: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania
Trail Guide: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-leesylvania.pdf
Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the far end of the parking lot past the visitor center (about 2.5 miles after entering the park). Coordinates 38.590687,-77.249670
Optional post-hike rehydration tbd.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
35 attendees
$20 NYC (Coney Island, Brighton Beach; Rating: C, Fun)
BWI Amtrak Station, 7 Amtrak Way, BWI Airport, MD, US*** New Trial Process - No More Signing In ***
Step 1: Read the Liability Disclaimer: https://www.nvhc.com/signin.pdf
Step 2: When prompted, type
"I Accept"/full name/contact number/emergency contact number
Example: "I accept/Monster/(240)604-5555/(301)562-6666"This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.
LENGTH: 8 mi. Elevation: Negligible PACE: 2.5 - 3.0 miles/hour
** Not suitable for fast paced hikers **
EXTERNAL RESERVATIONS: Amtrak tickets (see below) - Book EARLY to lock in the dirt-cheap fares.
Special thanks to Barbara Saffir for pointing out the Amtrak deal.
DESCRIPTION
We will take advantage of Amtrak's special Night Owl offer of $20 fares to NYC to visit, given the season, Coney Island and Brighton Beach. (The catch, and there is always one, is that we need to start in the wee hours). We will try to do most of our hiking in the morning before it gets too hot. The plan is tentative and is subject to change based on the weather forecast.PLAN
We will take Amtrak Saturday early morning. We will start our hike right away and walk the High Line Trail and by the Hudson river to Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. We may stop along the way to grab a quick pastry or croissant for breakfast. In Brooklyn, we will take the Subway to Coney Island. After the visit to Coney Island, we will walk along the beach to Brighton Beach. We will then take Subway back to Manhattan and depending on the time available, explore the sights of midtown. We will then take Amtrack back to the DC area.BREAKS
We will stop as needed for bathroom breaks and lunch/snack/pastry/coffee/tea/hot chocolate.AMTRAK RESERVATIONS
Go to Amtrak.com and under "Deals" select Night Owl. Reserve as below. Note that the departure station is assumed to be BWI (where parking is convenient and relatively cheap); you may board at alternative locations (Union Station).Adding the "flex" option (about 10% more) is recommended since it will allow you to cancel or re-schedule without penalty.
Outbound: Train 160, departing BWI at 5:43 a.m. (to NYP).
Return: Train 107 departing NYP at 6:29 p.m.
The price, as of January 28, 2026 is $44 (includes the Flex option).
CARPOOL
Not ApplicableDOGS
Not suitable due to the nature of the trip8 attendees
Past events
4941
