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
25
Buzzard Rock to Elizabeth Furnace and back (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](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.
Join us for a 12-mile hike with 2,500 feet of elevation gain in the George Washington National Forest near Front Royal. We start at the Buzzard Rock Trailhead and go south along the ridge to the intersection with Massanutten Trail, then turn down to Elizabeth Furnace to eat lunch/snack at the picnic area. We then turn around to retrace our path to the cars. Note: Very rocky trails.
We hike at a fast pace of about 2.8-3.0 mph when moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: David K. 571-488-4449 & Chris
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 6:50am. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader WILL NOT be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Trailhead: Meet at Buzzard Rock Parking on RT619 Mountain Rd by 7:45 AM - GPS coordinates 38.93776,-78.28859. Trailhead parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.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.
Park Entry Fee: N/A
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
MAP: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NKTUmUOwaJjiKtno_ZQGsYD9_JfgDIZr/view?usp=sharing2 attendees
Bull Run Occoquan Trail Bull Run Marina-Coe Creek (Rating: B)
Bull Run Marina, 12619 Old Yates Ford Rd, Clifton, 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.
7.8 mile out and back lariat hike with 970 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a scenic hike along Bull Run and in the adjoining forest. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Bull Run Marina heading east toward Coe Creek area. There are rolling hills but they are short and spread out. This will be a nice workout!There is a stream crossing (twice) on Coe Creek which is fairly easily crossed on large stepping stones.
NOTE: Make sure you are physically able for the distance and elevation gain. Any questions, please contact me.
Hiking Pace:
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.There should be a porta-potty at the trailhead marina parking lot across the street from our trailhead, but you may want to schedule a pit stop on the way before you arrive.
We will stop for snack/lunch break about halfway through.
Bring:
At least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Hiking poles if you use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. Most of the hike is in the forest canopy.Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 8:30am.
Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome.
NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyBull Run Occoquan Trail:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-occoquan-trailMeeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the large parking lot on the left side of Yates Ford Rd, (coming from Clifton), across from the road going down to the Marina. If you come to the Marina road or the bridge, you've gone too far. NOTE: We park in the large parking lot across the road from the marina parking.
GPS coordinates 38.74399, -77.38327Optional post-hike rehydration in Clifton.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
46 attendees
Billy Goat B & C Trails, C&O Towpath - (Rating: B)
Billy Goat Trail Section C, Naval Surface Warfare Center 38.972500, -77.200000, Carderock, MD, 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.
9 miles with 480 feet elevation gain.
Let's hike Billy Goat C and the recently reopened Billy Goat B trail which has been closed for several years. One of my favorite sections, I'm glad it's back!
This trek will include a hike on Billy Goat B & C trails with great views of the Potomac River, as well as a bit of the Gold Mine trail and Burma Road. This route includes a very scenic section of the towpath.
Description:
We'll start our hike on Billy Goat C trail and hike until we connect with the C&O Canal towpath. We'll hike to Anglers Inn area for a break before we connect with Burma Road and a portion of the Gold Mine trail. After that, we're back on the towpath where we will connect to the Billy Goat B trail. After completing Billy Goat B, we'll then connect back to the towpath and return to the trailhead parking.Note: Billy Goat B and C each have a stream crossing which are fairly easily crossed by stone stepping.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
Bring:
Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots on both Billy Goat B & C.
Restrooms are available at the Carderock Picnic Area parking lot where we start as well as at Anglers Inn parking. Hiking poles may be useful if you normally use them. Recommend sunscreen and insect repellent.Trailhead:
We will meet in the Carderock Picnic Grounds parking lot in Carderock Recreation Area.
Please plan on being there at 8:15am so we can get everyone signed in and start the hike on time.Dogs are welcome.
Dog Policy https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyThere are no fees.
Map of Hiking Trails at Great Falls, Maryland:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdfDirections to Carderock Picnic Grounds Parking at Carderock Recreation Area:
From I-495, take the exit for Clara Barton Pkwy, continue on the Pkwy until you see the exit for Carderock near the Naval Surface Warfare Center. After exiting at Carderock, you will pass under the towpath tunnel. Turn left after going under the towpath tunnel and continue into the picnic grounds parking lot.The parking lot is also labeled with signage as Parking Lot 1.
GPS 38.97122, -77.19874Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
34 attendees
Scott's Run (Rating: D)
Scott's Run Nature Preserve Parking, 7400 VA-193, McLean, 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 5 mile hike along various trails in the Scott's Run Nature Preserve including the Potomac Heritage Trail with an elevation gain of ~700'. We will pass the small Scott's Run Waterfall along the way. Some maneuvering on rocks required. There are two stream crossings on pylons.
Due to permit restrictions attendance is limited to a total of 24 people.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
We hike at a pace of 2.2-2.7 mph when moving.
Plan to arrive at 8:15am as we will start at 8:30am
Meet at large parking lot for Scotts Run. GPS Coordinates: 38.958649, -77.204996
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hxbhNxnqc2tZaJna6Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920(C)
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
AllTrails map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-1-2024-7821124?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
24 attendees
Past events
4962
