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 (4+)
See all- Little Difficult Run - Reston (Rating: C)Walker Nature Center, Reston, VA
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 an 8.2 mile hike with 500 feet of elevation gain among the woodlands and streams in and near Reston. We will begin at the Walker Nature Center in Reston and take various trails and paved paths through Reston and Fairfax County parks. About 80% of the hike is on dirt paths. Along the way we will pass through Fred Crabtree and Little Difficult Run Stream Valley Parks. At the 6 mile mark we will stop for a snack break. Several small stream crossings required. Trails may be muddy and there may be some high grass to walk through.
Thanks to NVHC hiker Maurice for guiding us through this route.
GPS Coordinates for Walker Nature Center: 38.925712, -77.342406
https://goo.gl/maps/Bpm4JgLaZXe6ref37
Please park on the side of Glade Rd and not the Nature Center Parking lot.
We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 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
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Alltrails Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-august-29-2025-fcd11da?u=i&sh=7cs7ov
- Buck Hollow - Mary's Rock -Buck Ridge (Rating: A)Centreville Park and Ride, Centreville, VA
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 will be a strenuous hike. If you have not done a "A" or "B" level hike recently or have concerns about your ability, please contact the leader so that we can determine if this is appropriate for you.
This hike will be 9-miles long with 2600' of vertical gain. The high point of this hike (both literally and figuratively) is Mary's Rock, a popular overlook.
We will start at the Buck Hollow trailhead on Rt. 211 and climb along a stream up the mountain on the Buck Hollow trail making a right at the Hazel Mountain Trail and crossing Skyline Drive to the Meadow Spring Trail to the AT. The AT will take us to Mary's Rock.
After taking in Mary's Rock, we will head back down the AT and Meadow Spring Trail to the Hazel Mountain Trail to the Buck Ridge Trail back to the cars.
Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride to arrange carpools and leave at 7:30, or meet at 8:45 am at the trailhead. We will depart shortly thereafter. Parking at Buck Hollow/Buck Ridge trailhead is limited, so car pooling is advised.
CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, meet at Centreville Park & Ride. The hike leader will be at the carpool location. 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.
Basics:
Distance: ~9 miles
Elevation Gain: 2600'
Rating: A (Strenuous)
Park entry fee: N/A
Suggested carpool fee: $5 (riders pay driver)
Buck Ridge Trailhead GPS: 38.658189, -78.281987
Park & Ride GPS: 38.835905, -77.455521Hike Map: https://www.hikingupward.com/snp/buckhollowmarysrock/
Dogs welcome under the NVHC dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please bring lunch, at least 2.0 liters of water and raingear (just in case). As this is likely to be hot weather hike, please bring electrolytes as well. The goal is to get to the summit before it gets too hot! There are several stream crossings so poles are advised.
Hike leader: Caroline Steinberg 703.489.1315
- Hains Point with Tidal Basin Option, DC (Rating: C)Lady Bird Johnson Park, Washington, DC
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.
Join us for an approximately 8.5 mile hike in Washington DC around Hains Point and the Tidal Basin.
Description
There is a 6.5 mile option (Columbia Island Marina to Hains point & back) if you choose not to complete the loop around the Tidal Basin (2.1 mile).
The majority of this hike is shaded and on pavement.
We will begin at Columbia Island Marina (Lady Byrd Johnson Park, GW Parkway, Arlington, VA; 38°52'56.4"N 77°03'25.9"W) across the 14th Street bridge; take the stairs on the DC side of the bridge to allow us to gain access to Haines Point, home of the National Park Service Headquarters. We will stop to enjoy the view of the Potomac from Haines Point. There are facilities all along the route.
Emerging from the Haines point, you will have the option of returning to your car by way of the 14th street bridge or walking around the Tidal Basin where we can take a lovely shaded break while enjoying a view of the Jefferson Memorial and surroundings.Hiking Pace: We will hike at a pace of 2.5-2.7 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length.
Elevation Gain: N/A
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy
Weather: the weather for this location can be found HERE.
Refreshments: It might be fun to have a snack at Island Time Bar/Grill on the water at Columbia Island Marina upon completion of our hike
Leader: Dawn Keeler 703 533 9231
- Inn-To-Inn AT Hike at Shenandoah NP, VirginiaSkyland pollock restaurant, Luray, VA
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.
Join us for a unique experience of hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT)-hiking the trail Inn-To-Inn. The AT is a scenic backcountry footpath stretching approximately 2200 miles from Georgia to Maine. It is situated mostly away from civilization along some of the most magnificent mountains and ridges of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is intentionally routed away from towns and passes less than a dozen towns. Shenandoah NP (SNP) offers the unique opportunity to continuously hike the AT over several days with using only a day pack due to the lodges/inns, camp stores, and/or restaurants near the AT. We will be hiking North to South through the central section of the SNP and will see some spectacular views on our hikes.
DETAILS: Trails are mostly natural and generally well marked, but can be challenging at parts w/ occasional strenuous climbs, rocky footings, and bouldering. This is backcountry hiking, thus access to medical care may be delayed. Pace will be 2.5-2.8mph (slower going uphill). Please make sure that you are able and comfortable to hike at this capacity and pace. If neither of the leader has hiked with you in the past, then you may be contacted by one of the leaders to inquire about your past hiking experiences. The hikes involve car shuttling between sites A and B. You should be comfortable driving, if needed, and carpooling. There is poor cell/wi-fi signal at the park. You may want to download maps for direction for offline use or print out your maps in advance.
Please Note: **Everyone will start on the Wait List until they have made a lodging reservation. Once the reservation is made, please write "Booked" in the Comments section. It is recommended that your lodging is cancellable.
ITINERARY(may be adjusted by leaders, if needed):
Day #1 (9/16/25): (A) Thornton Gap (Panorama upper parking lot) to (B) Skyland-meet at B (outside, in front of Skyland Pollock restaurant) to shuttle, 9AM. 9.5mi., 2100ft. Pollock Dining Room at Skyland, 400 Skyland Upper Loop Mile 42, Luray, VA 22835
Lodging: Skyland.Day #2 (9/17/25): (A) Skyland to (B) Big Meadows- meet at B (outside, in front of hotel lobby) to shuttle, 8:30AM. 10.6mi, 2250ft.
Lodging: Big Meadows. Big Meadows Lodge | Skyline Dr Mile 51 | Shenandoah National Park, VA 22835 | 877-847-1919.Day #3 (9/18/25): (A) Big Meadows to (B) Lewis Mt.-meet at B (picnic area) to shuttle, 9AM. 9mi, 1250ft.
LODGINGS: Lodge for Skyland and Big Meadows- https://www.goshenandoah.com/lodging/skyland. Limited rooms are available w/ a generous cancellation policy. Leaders will be staying at the lodges listed. You may choose to camp or use a different accommodation.
Big Meadows Campground: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/big-meadows-campground.htmBRING: sunscreen, hat, hiking shoes, electrolytes/water, snacks, tick repellent, appropriate clothing, hiking poles (if you use them), comfortable clothes for exercise, medicine (if you use any), personal first aid.
COSTS: National Park Pass or $30/car.
MEALS: Group dinners(opt.) at Skyland and Big Meadows restaurants. There are camp store, dining room, tap room, and box lunches available at Skyland and Big Meadows. Lewis Mt. only has a camp store.
CANCELLATION: Steady heavy rain or thunderstorms will cancel the hike(s).
