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
36
619 to Shawl Gap via Buzzard Rock (Rating: B)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA, USREQUIRED: 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.
The hike will be 8 miles with approximately 1,800' elevation gain. We'll hike up to Buzzard Rock, then on to Shawl Gap where we'll do a short loop on the Shawl Gap Trail. We'll retrace our steps, stopping for lunch at an overlook before continuing on to the parking lot. We'll hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving. Trail is very rocky and requires a bit of scrambling in some spots.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park & Ride. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour. Please arrive by 7:30am to form carpools so all cars can leave by 7:45am. Suggested carpool fee is $8.
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.
Trailhead: Buzzard Rock Parking Area
GPS Coordinates: 38.937583, -78.288444
https://goo.gl/maps/GX9B7n5pdyDcYrtM7
Arrive by 8:45am to sign in. Hike begins at 9am. Parking at trailhead is limited.Park Entry Fee: $0
Rating: B
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/buzzard-rock-with-loop-5a37f78
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
7 attendees
Fountainhead West - Bull Run Occoquan Trail (Rating: B)
Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station, 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.
8.5 mile out and back lariat hike with 984 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a scenic hike in the forest of Fountainhead and along Occoquan Reservoir. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Fountainhead Regional Park heading west to the Wolf Run, Coe Creek areas and back. There are rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. We'll get an enjoyable workout!Hiking Pace:
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas with tree roots and leaves. For the hills, hiking poles if you normally use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. The majority of the hike will be in the forest canopy.WHERE TO MEET:
After pulling into Fountainhead Park (10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax, VA), continue driving in on Fountainhead Access Rd, past the maintenance building on the right. The large parking lot is the next turn; it's on the right. Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am. GPS 38.72483, -77.33010Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome.
NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyThere are porta-johns at the trailhead at Fountainhead Park parking lot.
Trail Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-8223de3?u=i&sh=oxfau4Optional post-hike rehydration at Bunnyman Brewing Cafe at Lorton Workhouse.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
12 attendees
Seneca Regional Park Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: C)
Seneca Regional Park, 101 Seneca Rd, Great Falls, 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 enjoyable ~ 7.3 mile hike with ~780 feet of elevation gain.
We'll start by hiking through a full growth hardwood forest of Elm, Ash Trees, and Tulip Poplars, the tallest deciduous tree in North America. We'll then connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail with its wildflowers and massive Sycamore trees. The hike is a loop. Part of the hike will be along the Patowmack Channel created by a series of islands in the river.We'll take our break on a sandy beach.
Thanks to Bob G for the photo.We hike at a pace of 2.3 to 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Dogs are permitted 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.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.0/-77.3190/39.0474&pubLink=obOQ48o079O4P48KYoJBIMa9&trackId=b81b5829-efdf-4bad-bb66-9e9de4a74efd
25 attendees
DC Autumn Delights: A River Cruise (& Hike) (Rating: D FUN)
Columbia Island Marina, Columbia Island Marina, Washington, DC, USA, Washington, DC, 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.
6.5 mile loop hike with 217 feet elevation gain
Description:
Autumn is a particularly lovely time to be in Washington DC. What more lovely a way to enjoy the change of seasons than on a Sightseeing Potomac River Cruise on the Nightgale with Capital River Cruises along the Potomac?Capital River Cruises is giving us a
CASH ONLY FLAT RATE of $20 per person.
Thank you for paying me in CASH ONLY before the hike. I will then settle our contract with the Captain.We will be doing the Sightseeing Cruise to enjoy the Most Spectacular Views of Washington, DC from the Potomac River.
Cruises are approximately 45 minutes with historical narration. Refreshments, Snacks and Restrooms on board.
As we will be on the Noon Cruise, plan on Eating your Lunch on board, so pack yourself a great treat!After the Hike and before heading back, we will stop at the Gelateria Dolce Vita on the Georgetown Waterfront for a little sweet treat after lunch.
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 mph while moving
What to Bring: Adequate hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking/walking shoes and a hat. Recommend Layers just in case.
Restrooms are available both at the Columbia Island Marina and on board the Nightingale.
Dogs: are not welcome on this hike. NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather : weather for this location can be found HERE.
WHERE WILL WE MEET:
We will meet in the parking lot of the Columbia Island Marina, Lady Byrd Johnson Park, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA.GPS Coordinates: 38.876415, -77.049614. LINK TO MAP
We will proceed along the Mount Vernon Trail and cross the Key Bridge - destination will be Georgetown Waterfront park-- to be ready in time for our Noon Cruise.
We will head back along the river past the Lincoln Memorial to the 14th Street bridge and finish back at Columbia Island Marina.
Post Hike Fellowship: Island Time Bar & Grill in the Marina
Any questions feel free to message me here or text me with your name to at 703 533 9231 Dawn K
35 attendees
Past events
5000
