Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

4.9•27988 ratings

Mc Lean, VA, US

2,362 members · Public group

What we’re about

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

See all

Manassas National Battlefield Park - Second Manassas & Brawner Farm (Rating: B)
Tue, Jan 20 · 9:30 AM EST
Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA, US
You 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, about 540 feet elevation gain.

Description:
Join us for a hike along the rolling fields and woods of the scene of the Civil War battle of 2nd Manassas that occurred in 1862. This hike is rich in the history of this battle fought over three days. The battlefield is well maintained with noted significant event information along the way. We will take a side loop to Brawner Farm where Confederate Gen Stonewall Jackson engaged the Union forces of General Gibbon in a precursor to the 2nd Manassas main battle.
We will then make our way back to the 2nd Manassas trail and continue on to complete the loop back to our starting point.

We will meet at the Visitor Center which has restrooms available.
Please plan on arriving at the Visitor Center by 9:15am so we can get everyone signed in an get ready to hike at 9:30.

Meetup Location:
Manassas National Battlefield Park
6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA
Visitor Center parking lot GPS 38.81294, -77.52148

Dogs
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Manassas National Battlefield Park website:
https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm

Park Fees: None

The pace will be about 2.5 mph.

Bring at least 2 liters of water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Some of the hike is in open field areas. There are no stream crossings, however there may some muddy areas if there has been recent rain.

Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
19 attendees
High Knob via the Appalachian Trail (Rating: A)
Wed, Jan 21 · 7:45 AM EST
Park and Ride Access Road, Park and Ride Acc Rd, Gainesville, VA, US
You 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 10.75-mile out-and-back hike along the Appalachian Trail with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain. We'll start at the Trumbo Hollow Hike Trailhead and head south on the Appalachian Trail. After about 5.3 miles we'll stop for lunch and then head back the way we came.

Start time: 9:00 a.m. (meet at the trailhead parking area 15-30 minutes early for sign in)

Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles/hour when moving

Hike map:https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trumbo-hollow-via-appalachian-trail-350a379

Trailhead: GPS: 38.90944, -78.05324

CARPOOLING: Meet at University Blvd - Gainesville Park and Ride and plan to leave at 7:45 to arrive at the trailhead in time to get signed in and start hiking at 9am. The hike leader will not be at the carpool location. Park & Ride GPS 38.80063, -77.58771

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 the trailhead is about 50 minutes.

Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359

Dogs: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. Please contact the hike leader in advance if you intend to bring a dog.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
25 attendees
Seneca Regional Park Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: C)
Thu, Jan 22 · 9:00 AM EST
Seneca Regional Park, 101 Seneca Rd, Great Falls, VA, US
You 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 shaded trails and a sandy beach to take our break on. The hike is ~7,3 miles with ~800 feet of elevation gain in Seneca Regional Park. We'll start by hiking through a beautiful full growth hardwood forest and will then connect to the Potomac Heritage Trail. We'll take our break on a sandy beach.
Thanks to Bob G for the photo.

We hike at a pace of 2.3 to 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.

Dogs are permitted 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:

https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.0/-77.3190/39.0474&pubLink=obOQ48o079O4P48KYoJBIMa9&trackId=b81b5829-efdf-4bad-bb66-9e9de4a74efd
33 attendees
Tundra Swans (Rating: C)
Thu, Jan 22 · 9:00 AM EST
Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton, VA, US
You 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 Tundra Swans are back at their winter home in the Great Marsh of Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge! These magnificent birds are spending the winter in the Great Marsh of Belmont Bay and will leave anywhere from mid February to mid March for their breeding grounds in the tundra of far northern Canada near the Arctic Ocean.

We'll begin our 8.3 mile hike in Pohick Bay Regional Park, and take the orange trail to the Mason Neck connector trail to Elizabeth Hartwell. From there we'll hike on the Woodmarsh Trail to the viewing platform to look for swans. We will do the Woodmarsh Trail loop before we retrace our hike back to Pohick Bay Park. There will be a great view of the bay area and marshes. I am planning the time at the platform to coincide with high tide for (hopefully) better swan viewing. High tide is estimated for 10:00am, and the forecast looks good. While there are no guarantees with nature, the park ranger estimates that chances are good on this day. .

Bio on Elizabeth Hartwell and the Refuge:
https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/herstory-masonneck/

Hike: 8.3 miles, 400 ft elevation gain. The Woodmarsh Trail and Pohick Bay Orange Trails are natural, uneven surface with roots. The Pohick to Mason Neck Connector and the High Point Trails are paved.

Pace: 2.5-3 mph. Please make sure you are comfortable with this moderate pace.

Leader: Kris N. (618) 623-2484. Please include your name if you send a text.

Restrooms: There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda across from the parking lot where we begin our hike, and restrooms at the Woodmarsh Trail.

Park Fee: No Fee

Dogs; Dogs are welcome in accordance with NVHC dog policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Meet: Meet at the Pohick Bay parking lot at 8:50am to allow everyone to be signed in and start on time at 9:00am.

Meeting Place Instructions:
From Interstate 95 North:
- Take exit 161 to Lorton, Rt. 1 N.
- Go about 1.8 miles to first stop light and turn right on to Gunston Rd.
- Go about 3.2 miles on Gunston Rd to park entrance on left.
- Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.
From Interstate 95 South:
- From I95 S, exit 163 to Lorton.
- Left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp.
- Go under second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St. (You will see Amazon Fresh and Panera)
- Go about 1.1 mile to traffic light at RT. 1.
- Go straight through light (road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go about 3.2 miles to park entrance on left.
- Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.
Make sure to go past the Pohick Bay Golf Course and Meadowood Stables on Gunston Rd. Turn left on Pohick Bay Drive, at the park entrance. After entering the park, go straight down the road to the marina area. When you get to the Eagle’s Nest, there is a parking lot just around the loop. Park there and we will meet at 8:50am so we can get everyone checked in and start on time. There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda. GPS: 38.67467, -77.16711
13 attendees