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
30
Elkwallow Loop (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 and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
The hike is about 10 miles with 1700 feet elevation gain in Shenandoah National Park.
The hike starts from the Elkwallow Wayside, and will incorporate seven different trails to form a circuit around Elkwallow, including the AT, Piney Branch Trail, and the Keyser Road. We can aim to have lunch at the Matthews Arm Amphitheater, which we will reach relatively late in the hike (about 8 miles in). We can stop for a snack before then.
We hike at an average pace of 2.75 mph while moving; slower on uphill and faster on flat or downhill. The group will wait at all intersections.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, elevation gain and pace.
Leader: Randy Wood, (703) 475-8334
For those wishing to carpool, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park & Ride. The driving time from there to the trailhead is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Please arrive at the Park & Ride in time to form carpools so that all cars can leave by 7:30AM. 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: Elkwallow Wayside at 9am. Hike begins at 9:15am.
GPS Coordinates: 38.738755084294304, -78.308623251989 https://goo.gl/maps/d57nz22J6abFWQ2i7Park Entry Fee: $30 for 7-day pass or free with SNP or National Park annual pass
Rating: A
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Hiking Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/legacy-map/map-october-1-2025-72a5628
Note: Map shows us briefly on Skyline Drive; we will stay on the AT that runs parallel to the Drive.19 attendees
Wakefield Park To Lake Accotink (Rating: D)
Wakefield Park Softball Field #8, Annandale, 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 relatively flat five-mile hike with two short hills, elevation gain is 50 feet. Hiking pace while moving is about 2 miles an hour. Part of the trail is paved. Sneakers or hiking boots, can be some mud on the trail. Bring water and, if you like, a snack. Great hike for a beginning hiker. We stop midway for a snack. Please arrive a few minutes early to take attendance.
No park entry fee.Hike leader: Dotty Smith. 703-439-8670
Anita DeAngelis 507-990-6055No dogs permitted on this hike.
DETAILS/DIRECTIONS: We will start near the first ballfield as you enter Wakefield Park, which is the first left (following a service road) after you drive off of Braddock Road into Wakefield Park. We will meet just off the parking lot for the ball fields, on the left side. Restrooms at this parking lot should be open. There also are restrooms 1/4 mile further down the park road at the Audrey Moore Recreation Center. We will walk to and around Lake Accotink with a stop about halfway at the marina where there are restrooms and water sources. Good place for a snack, if you want to bring one.
GPS Coordinates: 38.814247, -77.224871
23 attendees
Trumbo Hollow (Rating: B)
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 and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
We will be hiking the Trumbo Hollow Trail. THERE IS ELEVATION (~1400 feet) AND MOST IS UP FRONT! Shortly after the hike begins, we start to climb uphill. Total distance is ~6.7 mile out and back. We'll stop briefly at the Jim and Molly Dent shelter to rest and have a snack/lunch!
Speed: ~ 2.0 to 2.5 mph (slower uphill)
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: There is VERY LIMITED parking at the trailhead so we will park at additional AT parking just down the street off Tucker’s lane. Hike starts here, and leaves from this lot at 9AM.
Trailhead: Parking area off 55 and Tucker Ln in Linden
GPS 38.91129532513492, -78.05302182206734
https://www.google.com/maps/place/RocknRoll+Cycling+Casuals+Trailhead+Parking/@38.9090079,-78.0489233,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b5da4d6f8884eb:0xfac5eaec67ae5b7a!8m2!3d38.9113702!4d-78.052981!16s%2Fg%2F11ty76ptp4?entry=ttu
Meet 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 45 minutes. Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:50AM 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 $5.
Entry Fee: None
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/trumbo-hollow-via-appalachian-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.Terrain: Most of the elevation is all at one time on the way out and back up. 2 long hills but also lots of gentle trail to stretch back out; 2 easy stream crossings
Recommended Equipment: Insect repellant, Hiking boots or shoes, snack/lunch, 2 liters water, hiking poles if you use them13 attendees
Workhouse Hike & Women's History Program (Rating: C)
Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Wy, 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.
Come celebrate Women's History Month with a 6 mile hike, followed by a talk on The Women's Workhouse by author and professor emeritus Alice Reagan. We'll hear about it's conditions, it's role in the legal system, and the documented experiences of the women held there. This free event will take place in W-16 on the Workhouse Campus, from 12-12:45.
History: The Occoquan Workhouse (later known as Lorton Prison) opened in 1910 as a self-sustaining, open prison with a working farm and railroad. This eventually grew into the 3,000 acre Lorton Prison complex, which expanded to include women's and youth facilities and a Nike missile site. The suffragists who fought for women's voting rights were imprisoned here and force-fed, which was considered the turning point in passing the 19th amendment. We'll pass the Turning Point Suffrage Memorial, located within Occoquan Regional Park. The Prison closed in 2001.
Post-hike rehydration for those interested at the Bunnyman Brewing Cafe, located within the Workhouse Arts Center campus. They offer a full lunch menu as well as beer, usually wine and cider, and other non-alcoholic beverages including coffee.
DISTANCE: ~ 6 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 400 feet
PACE: ~ 2.5-3 mph
TRAILS: Dirt and paved, uneven surfaces with roots
MEET: Picnic tables across from the big green barn as you come in the entrance closest to Workhouse Rd. Arrive by 8:45am to check in.
RESTROOMS: None at hike start, restrooms at snack break
PARK FEE: None
DOGS: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
POST-HIKE: Bunnyman Brewing in the Workhouse Campus
LEADER: Kris N. (618) 623-2484How to get there: From I-95 South, exit 163. At the end of the exit ramp take a right onto Lorton Rd. Follow Lorton Rd for 2.1 miles then turn left on to Workhouse Road. In 0.5 miles turn left at the sign for the Workhouse. Then take the first right and park (one of the North Parking lots). I'll be at the picnic tables across from the big green barn. Please arrive by 8:45 am so we can get everyone checked in and start on time.
38 attendees
Past events
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