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
20
Reston Lakes and Woodlands (Rating: C)
Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Dr, Reston, 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 hike with beautiful lakes, wooded trails and even a snack/rest room break at a Starbucks. It is about an 8 mile hike with 423 feet of elevation gain around lakes and among the woodlands of Reston. We'll meet at the Walker Nature Center at 9:00 am and hike through the Glade Stream Valley and then along Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau. The hike route is about 60% on paved paths with the remainder on dirt trails. Restrooms are available at the Walker Nature Center.
We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Park on Glade Road so the Nature Center parking lot can be kept open for the Center's pre-school activities and drop-offs.
Dogs are welcome 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:
30 attendees
Chimney Top-Cabins, WV (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.
This is a 6-to-7 mile out-and-back hike with nearly 1600 ft. of elevation. While rated as a B hike, most all of the elevation occurs in the steep climb in the first 1.3 miles! So take that into consideration. Hopefully, the Mountain Laurel will still be in bloom! While the length of this hike is not long, and the drive may not seem worth it, the time spent on the hike will include many stops for the scenic views and photo taking opportunities. Since the parking is limited, the number of attendees will be limited, and carpooling is strongly encouraged.
From the Landis Trail trailhead parking lot, we will take the Landis Trail to the peak, then turn right on the ridge onto the North Fork Mountain Trail and follow that to Chimney Top. We will take our time stopping to take in the stunning views at the several overlooks and Chimney Top before returning the same route back. Chimney Top has wide panoramic views similar to Big Schloss, with a view of the Dolly Sods plateau across the valley. Click on the links below for photos of the views.
We hike at a 2.5-3.0 mph pace when moving.
While this hike technically doesn't quite rate as a B level for distance and elevation, I'm rating it as a B due the steep climb of near 1500 feet in the first 1.3 miles.Alltrails map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/west-virginia/chimney-top-via-landis-and-north-fork-mountain-trails
It can be buggy and overgrown in places on this hike, so bug spray and long pants are recommended.
The travel time from Centreville Park and Ride is about 2 hrs. and 15 minutes and about 122 miles. The leader will not be at the carpool location. Those wishing to carpool can use the comment section to arrange carpools with others. 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.
Meet at the carpool location no later than 8:00and leave by 8:10.
Suggested carpool fee: $14.Meet at the trailhead before 10:30 am. Please arrive early so we can get hiking by 10:30 am.
Trailhead GPS Coordinates:
38.9594, -79.2413Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyHike Leader: John H 703-424-0787
I don't know if there is cell reception at the trailhead. If anyone has to bail after the RSVP cutoff time, please mention it in the comment section.Check out some photos of the area:
20 attendees
Leesylvania State Park (Rating:C)
2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, 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.
7.5-mile hike with 580 feet of elevation gain.
Join us at Leesylvania State Park for a scenic and enjoyable hike!
Description: We will hike several trails within the park which includes historic sites and a great bluff overlook of the Potomac River and the Neabsco Creek areas.
We will then walk along the shore of the Potomac River until reaching the forest area of Powell’s Creek where we will do another short loop to include a section of the Potomac Heritage Trail.
There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out.The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are restrooms adjacent to the parking area. Lunch/snack break about halfway through.
Bring:
Sufficient water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and good hiking shoes. . Most of the hike will be in the forest canopy. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. There are no stream crossings.Fee: The park fee is $10 unless you have a Virginia State Park Pass or an REI receipt from a participating Virginia REI. You may want to bring cash in case the contact station is not staffed. If the contact station is not staffed, place your fee or REI receipt in the envelope, tear off the tab and hang that from your rearview mirror.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am.
Leesylvania State Park: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania
Trail Guide: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-leesylvania.pdf
Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at the far end of the parking lot past the visitor center (about 2.5 miles after entering the park). Coordinates 38.590687,-77.249670
Optional post-hike rehydration tbd.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
37 attendees
Donaldson Run (Rate: C)
Theodore Roosevelt island, Potomac heritage trail, 38°53'52.4"N 77°04'03.5"W, Arlington, 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.
7.9 mile Out-Back hike with 417 feet of elevation gain. Est. 4 hr. We will get take the Potomac Heritage Trail along the Potomac River to Donaldson Run.
Description:
This fun hike starts out at the Roosevelt Island parking lot (Rosslyn
We follow the Potomac Heritage Trail which overlooks the Potomac River.This is a “rugged” hiking trail with beautiful waterfalls and amazing views but it features steep, rocky scrambles and is muddy after rain.
Windy Run is the first point of interest before reaching Donaldson Run; both offer the ability to exit the trail to local neighborhoods.
We will exit the trail and follow Donaldson Run to Military Road.There is a lot of maneuvering along this trail: several stream crossings, rock scrambles, need to navigate over trunks.
You must be experienced in hikes of this level of challenge, distance, pace and elevation gain.
Hike Pace: Pace will be about 2 to 2.5 mph.
Bring: Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are stream crossings, rocky areas/tree roots.. Hiking poles if you normally use them.
Fee: None
Dogs: dogs are NOT welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
Where to Meet: Meet at the Rosslyn end of the Roosevelt Island parking lot at 9:00 to allow everyone to get signed in and ready to hike at 9:30 am. The Hatchback of my Honda Fit will be up.
By Metro Roosevelt island is a 10-15 minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station toward the Key Bridge. A short paved connecting trail leads downhill to the Roosevelt parking lot. A small green sign indicating Roosevelt Island at 0.25 mile on the right.
By Car Drivers can only reach Theodore Roosevelt Island from the Virginia side of the river in the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. After Memorial Bridge, follow the signs and turn right into the parking lot.
Coordinates: 38.8958415°N, -77.0624191°W
LINK to Roosevelt Island20 attendees
Past events
4835
