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
11
Riverbend Park (Rating: D)
Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, 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 a ~6 mile hike with 450' elevation gain along the Potomac Heritage Trail and various other trails in Riverbend Park which is just north (up river) from Great Falls Park. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
AllTrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/riverbend-park--10?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
This hike has a permit fee. I will need to collect $2.00 from everyone at the beginning of the hike. Small bills only please.
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Meet at the parking lot behind the Visitor Center GPS Coordinates: 39.018709, -77.246025 https://maps.app.goo.gl/8UJ2ttsiKfQ27EXw5
32 attendees
Rock Creek Park North (Rating: C)
Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW, 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.
7 mile loop with a 679 ft. elevation gain that makes the hike the equivalent to a bit over 8.5 miles. (400 ft gain = 1 mile)
Please Note: Will do hike in reverse in June 2026Per Park Permit Guidelines, this hike is limited to 20 Hikers
Description: Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park.
It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals.This hike starts from the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (Plenty of Free Parking; closed Mon/Tues), crosses Military Road heading north along the Western Ridge Trail, over the Boundary bridge and then south following the creek to the Valley Trail, and then back to the Nature Center.
Pace: pace is about 2 - 2.5 mph while moving.
Bring: adequate water/hydration, also snack/lunch, insect repellant as Tick Season is here and sturdy hiking shoes since there are rocky areas, tree roots and a stream crossing,
Dogs: Dogs are not welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location: we will meet in the parking lot of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium
(Closed Monday and Tuesdays) at5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015.
GPS Coordinates : 38°57'34.1"N 77°03'05.6"W
14 attendees
Big Devils Stairs (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 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 a 10 mile hike from the boundary of SNP to a spectacular gorge. It has an elevation gain of about 2200 feet. This hike is rated A for difficulty. We start at a small parking area along Rt 625 at the Mount Marshall Trailhead. We immediately start climbing. We make a left on the Bluff Trail. Then we descend to the overlook on the Big Devils Stairs Trail for a snack/lunch before retracing our steps back to the cars.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314 (C)
Rating: A
Pace: 2.5 to 3.3mph
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15am to depart by 7:30am. Suggested carpool fee is $6. The leader will not be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371
https://goo.gl/maps/UhxfSAbcao4mCWC96Meet at the Mount Marshall Trailhead at 8:45am. GPS Coordinates: 38.7478506,-78.1940236
https://goo.gl/maps/VvgSpAddeyUPJXCy9Neither 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.
Park Entry Fee: $0.
Map for hike: Big Devils Stairs on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/big-devil-s-stairs-25af936?u=i&sh=rr7xq6Driving time to trail head: 1 hour 15 minutes
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
15 attendees
Occoquan Regional Park Hike & Kayak (Rating: D)
Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Rd, Lorton, 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.
FIRST TIME PADDLERS WELCOME! Join me for #2 in a series of summer hike & kayak combos. Last month we did Fountainhead Park. We'll start off with a one hour hike on paved & dirt trails, about 2.5 miles. It's mostly flat, with one short hill. Pace will be 2.5-3 mph while moving. Following the hike, we'll paddle on the Occoquan River.
DETAILS: Rentals are available at the following rates: $18 single, $23 double or $23 paddle board. All have a 25% senior weekday discount. Credit cards accepted. Bring your ID. Rentals are not guaranteed and they are on a first-come, first-served basis. Life jackets are included in the rental. Wear something you don't mind getting wet and water shoes/sandals (not flip flops). Bring a dry bag to carry your valuables, as they don't provide lockers. Please note that the group size is capped due to a limited number of rentals. Feel free to bring your own kayak or stand-up paddle board. There is a small launch fee of $6 or ($3 senior discount), or you can use your annual NOVA Parks Launch Pass.
We plan to hike from 8-9am and kayak at 9:00am, finishing early to beat the 90 degree temps. You are welcome to skip the hike and just show up at 9am to paddle or paddle for 2 hours instead one 1 hour. We are meeting in front of Brickmakers Cafe for paddling, just down the stairs from the parking lot. Please make sure you are not double-booked, as there are several NVHC events on Tuesday. Thanks.
LEADER: Kris Needham (618) 623-2484
RESTROOMS: There are restrooms next to the Brickmakers Cafe at the start and finish.
PARK ENTRY FEE: $0
DOGS: No dogs please, as Occoquan Regional Park does not permit dogs on their boat rentals.
19 attendees
Past events
4874
