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
9
Big Devils Stairs (Rating: A)
Centreville Park & Ride Lot, 14700 Lee Highway, 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 10 mile hike from the boundary of SNP to a spectacular gorge. It has an elevation gain of about 2200 feet. This hike is rated A for difficulty. We start at a small parking area along Rt 625 at the Mount Marshall Trailhead. We immediately start climbing. We make a left on the Bluff Trail. Then we descend to the overlook on the Big Devils Stairs Trail for a snack/lunch before retracing our steps back to the cars.
Leader: Maryellen Trevisan 202-730-5314 (C)
Rating: A
Pace: 2.5 to 3.3mph
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15am to depart by 7:30am. Suggested carpool fee is $6. The leader will not be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371
https://goo.gl/maps/UhxfSAbcao4mCWC96Meet at the Mount Marshall Trailhead at 8:45am. GPS Coordinates: 38.7478506,-78.1940236
https://goo.gl/maps/VvgSpAddeyUPJXCy9Neither 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.
Park Entry Fee: $0.
Map for hike: Big Devils Stairs on AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-14687c8?u=i&sh=rr7xq6Driving time to trail head: 1 hour 15 minutes
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.
16 attendees
Occoquan Regional Park Hike & Kayak (Rating: D)
Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox Rd, 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.
FIRST TIME PADDLERS WELCOME! Join me for #2 in a series of summer hike & kayak combos. Last month we did Fountainhead Park. We'll start off with a one hour hike on paved & dirt trails, about 2.5 miles. It's mostly flat, with one short hill. Pace will be 2.5-3 mph while moving. Following the hike, we'll paddle on the Occoquan River.
DETAILS: Rentals are available at the following rates: $18 single, $23 double or $23 paddle board. All have a 25% senior weekday discount. Credit cards accepted. Bring your ID. Rentals are not guaranteed and they are on a first-come, first-served basis. Life jackets are included in the rental. Wear something you don't mind getting wet and water shoes/sandals (not flip flops). Bring a dry bag to carry your valuables, as they don't provide lockers. Please note that the group size is capped due to a limited number of rentals. Feel free to bring your own kayak or stand-up paddle board. There is a small launch fee of $6 or ($3 senior discount), or you can use your annual NOVA Parks Launch Pass.
We plan to hike from 8-9am and kayak at 9:00am, finishing early to beat the 90 degree temps. You are welcome to skip the hike and just show up at 9am to paddle or paddle for 2 hours instead one 1 hour. We are meeting in front of Brickmakers Cafe for paddling, just down the stairs from the parking lot. Please make sure you are not double-booked, as there are several NVHC events on Tuesday. Thanks.
LEADER: Kris Needham (618) 623-2484
RESTROOMS: There are restrooms next to the Brickmakers Cafe at the start and finish.
PARK ENTRY FEE: $0
DOGS: No dogs please, as Occoquan Regional Park does not permit dogs on their boat rentals.
14 attendees
Fountainhead West - Bull Run Occoquan Trail (Rating: B)
Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station, 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.
8.5 mile out and back lariat hike with 984 feet of elevation gain.
Description:
Join us for a scenic hike in the forest of Fountainhead and along Occoquan Reservoir. We will hike on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail from Fountainhead Regional Park heading west to the Wolf Run, Coe Creek areas and back. There are rolling hills, but they are short and spread out. We'll get an enjoyable workout!Hiking Pace:
The 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 with tree roots and leaves. For the hills, hiking poles if you normally use them. Recommend insect repellent and sunscreen. The majority of the hike will be in the forest canopy.WHERE TO MEET:
After pulling into Fountainhead Park (10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax, VA), continue driving in on Fountainhead Access Rd, past the maintenance building on the right. The large parking lot is the next turn; it's on the right. Meet at the trailhead parking lot 15 minutes early to allow everyone to sign in and get ready to hike at 9:00am. GPS 38.72483, -77.33010Fee: There is no parking fee.
Dogs are welcome.
NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyThere are porta-johns at the trailhead at Fountainhead Park parking lot.
Trail Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-8223de3?u=i&sh=oxfau4Optional post-hike rehydration at Bunnyman Brewing Cafe at Lorton Workhouse.
Any questions, please message me here or text/call @202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.
31 attendees
Emerald Pond - Massanutten South (Rating : B)
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 and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
This 8.5 mile with 1,600 feet elevation gain in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. We begin at the now closed old Massanutten Visitor Center at New Market Gap and then utilize the Massanutten South and Bird Knob trails. A small pond about midway provides a pretty spot for lunch. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph while moving.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)
Park Entry Fee: $0
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:30am. Suggested carpool fee is $10. The leader will be at the carpool location. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371. https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Driving time to trailhead from carpool location: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Arrive at the trailhead at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am Meet at the old Massanutten Visitor Center (now closed) GPS Coordinates: 38.642621, -78.611218 https://goo.gl/maps/GFpkeLKNkshFMxv4A
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.
Alltrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/bird-knob-emerald-pond-shorter-version-da40657?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. There is significant uphill in the first couple of miles. This hike has some steep uphill.
35 attendees
Past events
4876
