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
20
Lake Front Royal to Denton Shelter via Appalachian Trail (Rating: A)
Park and Ride Access Road, Park and Ride Acc Rd, 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.
This is about a 10-mile out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail with about 1,600 feet of elevation gain. We'll start near Lake Front Royal and head north on the AT. After about 5 miles we'll stop for lunch at the Denton Shelter and then head back the way we came.
Please note the earlier start time of 0800. We need to beat the heat.
Start time: 8:00 a.m. (meet at the trailhead parking area 15-30 minutes early for sign in)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving
Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/lake-front-royal-to-snp-boundary-via-appalachian-trail-49265d2Trailhead parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged
Trailhead: Intersection of Rte 522 and the Appalachian trail near Lake Front Royal (GPS coordinates 38.878, -78.15056)CARPOOLING: Meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:00 to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 8 am. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location. Park & Ride GPS 38.80063, -77.58771
Neither the Club nor the hike leader is 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. Suggested carpool fee: $6.00 per rider. Driving time from Gainesville Park & Ride to the trailhead is about 50 minutes.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Dogs: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. Please contact the hike leader in advance if you intend to bring a dog.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy22 attendees
Catoctin Mountain (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA, USYou must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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 A hike of 10.7 miles and 2198 feet of elevation. This is my favorite way to hike at Catoctin Mountain Park when I want to get in a good bit of my elevation early, and end up with a nice mile downhill. It's a little different because we'll be parking at the small lot across from Park Headquarters, NOT at the Visitors Center. I'm also going with a hike start time of 8:30 to try to take advantage of the cooler morning weather.
We'll begin by doing an out-and-back to Cat Rock on the Cunningham Falls side of the road, followed by a mile to the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitors Center. Then we'll do a loop hitting Cunningham Falls, Hog Rock, Blue Ridge Overlook, Thurmont Vista, Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock. Lots to see, with lunch and an optional rock scramble at Wolf Rock, and then our mile downhill back to our vehicles.
There is quite a bit of elevation on this hike and a few sustained climbs, so please make sure this is an appropriate hike for you in the summer heat! Plan for plenty of water and electrolytes. We will hike at a moderate pace of 2.5 miles and stop at all intersections.
We will meet and park at small lot across from Park Headquarters at 8:15, and start hiking promptly at 8:30.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/10TK3WUZt86QCViPsF8jO39s5rVbgEymD/view?usp=sharing. If you plan to bring a dog on this hike, please contact me about the dog’s prior hiking experience.
Carpools: Meet at Centreville Park and Ride at 7:00 to leave by 7:10. Suggested carpool fee is $7.00 per rider. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location and will meet the group at the trailhead. If you would like to carpool, please mention it in the comment section to be sure someone else will be there to carpool with.
GPS coordinates for Centreville Park and Ride: 38.836080, -77.455327.
https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18Leader: Becky Reickel 301-471-3641 Note: I am unlikely to have cell service in this area.
Trailhead: Meet at the Cat Rock Trail parking lot across from Park Headquarters at 8:15 AM for our 8:30 AM start. https://maps.app.goo.gl/xXQqEGQuLSjc7hNH7
GPS coordinates: 39.625946, -77.440649
Park entry fee: $0
Rating: A
Map for hike: https://api-v5.alltrails.com/explore/recording/11212025-cat-rock-catoctin-1c52acc?p=-1&sh=zg5qvz&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
12 attendees
Bikelane Brewery to Meadowlark Botanical Garden- (Rating: C/B)
The Bike Lane, 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, 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.
This will be an "out and back" hike covering 9.2 miles with 469 feet of elevation gain. We'll start at the Bike Lane Bike Shop and Brewery and hike on the W&OD , the Twin Branch Trail and the Meadowlark Connector Trail. At the end of the hike we can gather for a beer or other cold beverage at the brewery.
Meadowlark Botanical Garden is one of the true gems of Northern Virginia and features a Korean Bell Garden.
To quote from the Washington Post**:**
"The only Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere is the place to start: The centerpiece is a natural wooden pavilion — built entirely without nails — holding a three-ton bell, handmade in South Korea and decorated with flora and fauna. The garden also contains a mix of plants native to Korea and Virginia, protective figures carved from volcanic rock called dol hareubangs, walls decorated with images of flowers and symbols of longevity, and a koi pond with a fountain. "To quote from the Meadowlark Garden website:
" Koi swim in Lake Caroline as if parading their gem-like scales among the snapping turtles with decades of filamentous algae streaming from arching shells. October highlights are: False aster (Boltonia asteroides), azure monkshood (Acontium carmichaelii), Canadian burnet (Sanguisorba minor)."We'll stop at the Meadowlark Visitor Center where you can relax, browse the exhibits or take a stroll in the Gardens (General Admission $9 with $5 for those over 60).
We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please note only service animals are allowed in the Garden and Visitor Center so canine hikers will have to wait outside during our stop.Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: see above description for optional stroll through the Garden
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-1b24bc3?u=i&sh=iypgzx
34 attendees
Dickey Ridge to Visitors Center/Return (Rating: B)
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.
This is an 8 mile out and back hike to the Dickey Ridge Visitors center with approximately 1,400 feet of elevation gain.
We are hiking from outside the Shenandoah National Park into the park to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center and then back out. We are NOT meeting at the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center.Speed: Our pace will vary from 2.0 to 2.5. The trail is well maintained with some short rocky areas.
Leader: Gail Markulin (703) 402-5902 (C)
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead Parking: Parking is on the side of the road by the trailhead and before the Front Royal Entrance Station. If you have gone to the park entrance, you have gone too far. The Dickey Ridge trailhead is right by the parking area. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dickey+Ridge+Trailhead/@38.9062115,-78.19661,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b5c5e0b5d9c4f1:0xee10b295aebb171d!8m2!3d38.9062115!4d-78.19661!16s%2Fg%2F1tfj411p?entry=ttuMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to be signed in and get ready to hike at 9am.
Carpool Location: For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy in Centreville.
GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:50 AM to form carpool so all cars can leave at 8:00AM. The leader will be at the Park & Ride.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 they participate at their own risk.
Suggested carpool fee is $6.00.
Entry Fee: None
Map for hike: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ofxLeFFmHZ90xZKEleK_S6YaTbLx4OzO/view
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.Terrain: Well maintained trail with some rocky areas.
Recommended Equipment: Insect repellent, Hiking boots or shoes, snack/lunch, 2 liters water, hiking poles if you use them
20 attendees
Past events
4917
