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
27
South Run to Burke Lake Loop (Rating: C)
South Run Field House, 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield, 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.
Details:
This is 8 mile walk mostly in the shade and on partially paved wide trails from South Run Park to and around Burke Lake. The route is mostly flat with a mix of paved and dirt trails on this hike (250 ft elevation gain.) We will walk 2.5 to 2.7 mph when moving with a brief break (restrooms / snack) about 3/4 of the way.No park entrance fee.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration. Snacks/lunch. You may want to bring insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy with a couple of short sections in the open.Dogs are welcome. Dogs are welcome on the hike (see the NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy )
MEET AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT - NEAR GREEN ROOF FIELDHOUSE BUILDING - see map below.
GPS: 38.74676, -77.27376
If there are any impacts to parking at the Fieldhouse due to events, we'll park by the Rec Center and walk down.Please arrive a few minutes early to get signed in. We start promptly at 9:00 am
South Run Rec Center has restrooms. There will also be a restroom about 3/4 of the way.Post-hike rehydration TBD
Trail Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/burke-lake-via-south-run-district-park?If you have any questions, please message me on Meetup or text me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
30 attendees
Scenic Urban Loop and Cherry Blossoms (Rating: C)
Columbia Island Marina, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Arlington, 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.
Let's go check out the cherry blossoms.
9-mile loop with 200 feet elevation gain.
Description:
From Columbia Island Marina, within Lady Byrd Johnson Park, we will connect to the Mount Vernon trail and hike to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. We'll cross over into DC and complete a loop around the tidal basin where the cherry blossoms should be in bloom. 🌸After that we'll make a stop at the Lincoln Memorial and then on to the Kennedy Center to admire the view from the observation deck. We will then head back to Arlington Memorial Bridge and reconnect to the Mt Vernon trail returning to our starting point.
Pace: 2.5 mph
Bring: Adequate hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes.
Dogs: Dogs will not be allowed on this hike.
We'll meet in the parking lot of the Columbia Island Marina, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA. GPS 38.87544, -77.04896
NOTE:
The hike starts at 9:00am, please arrive a few minutes early so we can get folks signed in and ready to hike on time. Restrooms are available at the marina and several locations along the way.Rehydration: Yes, TBD
Any questions please contact me at 202-528-0456. If you text, please include your name.
32 attendees
Cherry Blossoms in Bethesda, MD (Rating: D)
Metro-Bethesda, 7450 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, 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/Jane Doe/703-555-5555/301-666-6666"This is a trial process and is not available on all hikes.
Length: 5 mi. Elevation: Negligible. Pace: 2.0 miles per hour
** Not suitable for fast paced hikers **
DESCRIPTION
This "hike" features a leisurely stroll through the Kenwood neighborhood, and its beautiful Cherry Blossoms. It will be followed by optional lunch in downtown Bethesda, MD.We will meet at the entrance to Bethesda Metro on Wisconsin Avenue and make our way to the start of the Capital Crescent Trail. We will take this trail to River Road where we will switch over to sidewalks and explore the Kenwood neighborhood. We will then make our way back to Bethesda using the CC trail. Lunch will then follow; place to be determined. Everyone pays for their meal.
PARKING:
Garages nearby; streetside is an option. Parking is free on Sundays.DOGS:
DOGS permitted per Club policy.22 attendees
Past events
4737
