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
31
Aug-Oct Birthdays at Occoquan (Rating: C/D Fun)
Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Road, Occoquan, 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.
If you have a birthday in August, September, or October please also note the date when you answer "I Accept" for the liability disclaimer. BD hikers will be recognized at the hike start
This event was very popular last year, in part because of the great BD cakes Bob brought. Bob & Teresa are recovering from various surgeries. So, we are offering this year's event as a fun D hike, but have added Steve W as a co-leader for a C version of the hike. The hike will be followed by a BD celebration for those born in August, September or October. Others are also invited to join both the hike and BD celebration.
D Fun Hike - Pace 2-2.5 - Anywhere from 4-6 miles either entirely on pavement with little elevation or on a mix of pavement and wooded trails with 400 feet elevation.
C Hike - Pace 2.5-3 - Almost 7 miles with 633 feet elevation.In Occoquan Park we'll go past the Suffragist Memorial and beehive brick kiln, used by prisoners to make bricks for the Occoquan Workhouse/Lorton Reformatory and many other buildings around DC & Northern VA. Some of the hikes will also visit the grounds of the Workhouse.
Restrooms: At hike start
Entrance fee: None
Dogs: Please leave dogs home today.Optional post-hike lunch and birthday celebration (finish time assumes you stay for the BD celebration).
Also, after the hike/lunch you may want to explore the Suffragist's Memorial, the art exhibits at the Workhouse or visit the Lucy Burns Museum.
Leaders: Bob G 301-775-3558; Teresa B 703-728-7635; Steve W 202-528-0456
How to get there: From I-95 South, exit 160A Gordon Blvd/VA 123 towards Occoquan. Proceed 1.3 miles to the light at Occoquan Regional Park. Take a right at the light into the Park and proceed to the first large lot on the left, across from Brickmaker's Cafe.
GPS Coordinates: 38.681733,-77.2528157
Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3SWmLJj1AAxZ3FXE6Please arrive by 8:45 am so we can get everyone checked in and leave promptly at 9:00.
30 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)
Due to Permit Restrictions Attendance is Limited to 20 PEOPLE
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. We cross 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 welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Weather: weather in this location is HERE.
Meetup Location:
PLENTY or PARKING
We will meet in the parking lot of the Rock Creek Park Nature Center & Planetarium at
5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015.GPS Coordinates : 38°57'34.1"N 77°03'05.6"W
17 attendees
Sky Meadows State Park - Volunteer Trails Workday (Rating: D Fun)
Sheetz Gainesville, 7201 New Stable Wy, 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.
Show your support for America’s public lands by joining Sky Meadows Rangers for a rewarding trail maintenance project on the Gap Run Trail.
Description:
As you work alongside experienced volunteers, you’ll learn the SET principles: Sustainability, Effectiveness, and Traversability. These principles guide sustainable trail design and are essential to building safe, lasting access in public parks.As a group, we’ll perform essential drain maintenance and build a water diversion feature to help protect the trail from erosion and reduce its impact on natural resources and wildlife.
No experience is needed, and all tools and materials will be provided. Just bring water, wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes, and be ready for a 3-mile hike to the work site.
Spend the day giving back to the land, learning new skills, and helping preserve the trails we all love for generations to come!https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2026-02-07-14-22-31-137242-ujd
Bring: at least 2 liters of water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas, and tree roots. Insect repellant and sunscreen recommended.
Fee: The park fee for volunteer trail workers is waived. Just let the contact station know you're here for trail work.
CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, meet at the new Sheetz convenience store which is at Gainesville Park & Ride. 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: $5.00 per rider. Driving time from Gainesville Park & Ride to Sky Meadows is about 30 minutes. The Sheetz at Gainesville Park & Ride is located at 7201 New Stable Way, Gainesville. GPS 38.80182, -77.58866
Park across the road from Sheetz instead of in their parking lot.NOTE: The work starts at 10:00 am at the parking lot at Sky Meadows State Park. If you are carpooling from Sheetz Gainesville Park & Ride, plan on leaving there by 9:15am.
Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the parking lot closest to the Visitor Center GPS coordinates 38.991732, -77.966120
This parking lot is in front of the Mount Bleak House. There is an overflow parking lot in case the main parking lot is full.
Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me please include your name.
10 attendees
Riverbend Park, Great Falls Park, (Rating: B)
Riverbend Park Visitor's Center, 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.
9 mile circuit hike with 600 feet of elevation gain.
A nice hike along the scenic Potomac River and adjoining forests of Riverbend Park and Great Falls Park.
Description:
We'll start our hike in Riverbend where we hike several trails and then join the Potomac Heritage trail where we will travel south to Great Falls. We'll stop at the Great Falls overlook(s) for some amazing views of the falls and then continue on the River Trail as it winds along Mather Gorge and some more great scenery. We will then connect to the Ridge Trail, Matildaville trail, back to Great Falls visitor center and begin our return to Riverbend. Lunch break about halfway through.Hike Pace:
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/tree roots on the River Trail. Hiking poles if you normally use them. There are no stream crossings. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen.Fee:
There is no entrance fee at Riverbend Park, but I will need to collect $2.00 from each hiker to cover the cost of group fees at Riverbend. Group fees are required for groups of 12 or more. I will get the group permit in advance. Small bills only please!Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Riverbend Park trail map:
Riverbend Park Trails
Great Falls Park trail map:
https://www.nps.gov/grfa/upload/GRFA-complete-map-508.pdfMeet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to get signed in and ready to hike at 9:00am.
Meeting Place Instructions: Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA. We will meet at the lower parking lot, on the right, across from the Riverbend Visitor Center. Coordinates 39.01817, -77.24599
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
35 attendees
Past events
4981
