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 were 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- Goose Creek Potomac Heritage Loudoun County (Rating: C)Kephart Bridge Landing, Leesburg, 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 an out and back ~7.75 mile/150' elevation gain hike with shaded tree cover along the Potomac Heritage Trail in the Ashburn area of Loudoun County. . We will begin at Riverpoint Drive trailhead and follow Goose Creek to the Potomac with our turnaround point at the Bles Park boundary [Bles Park is closed for renovations]. We'll hike by some ruins of the Coose Creek and Little River Canal locks .
History: In 1849, construction began on a system of locks and dams to render the Goose Creek navigable up to three large mills in the Loudoun Valley. By 1845, the Goose Creek and Little River Navigation Company canal system had been completed on Goose Creek to Ball's (Evergreen) Mill, 12 miles (19 km) upstream from the mouth. Though the lower portion of the canal saw significant usage, only one boat was ever known to have traveled the whole stretch, and by 1857 the canal was put out of business by the completion of the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad to Leesburg. Most of the locks and dams were destroyed by the Union Army during the Civil War.
We hike at a pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
Meet at the Riverpoint Drive Trailhead at 8:45am for sign-in. Restroom (Porta Potty) is available at the Trailhead
Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leaders: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
Map for hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-april-25-2025-48f7d30?u=i&sh=iypgzx - Raven Rocks via Blackburn Trail Center (Rating: A)Centreville Park & 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 is about a 10 mile out and back route on the Appalachian Trail with about a 2,000 foot elevation gain. We'll start at the Blackburn Trail Center, hike up to the AT, go south to Raven Rocks, have lunch there and then return. We'll hike at a pace of 2.0-2.5 mph.
The group is limited to 10 hikers at the request of the trail mangers.
Leader: Dick Pregent 703-587-2359
Park Entry Fee: $0
NOTE: PARKING SPACE IS VERY LIMITED. THE ROAD UP TO BLACKBURN TRAIL CENTER IS STEEP AND RUTTED. CARPOOLING IS ENCOURAGED.
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:00 am. The suggested carpool fee is $5. The leader WILL NOT be at the carpool location.
Rating: A
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
The map coordinates for the parking area: 39.18762,-77.79774
We’ll start hiking at 8:30.
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.
Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/raven-rocks-via-blackburn-trail-center-3df07fd
- Lands Run Gap to Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (Rating: B)Lands Run Gap, Lake Frederick, 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 MODERATE PACE hike in the Shenandoah National Park. We start from Lands Run Gap on Skyline Dr and take the Dickey Ridge Tr. to Sneed Farm Loop Tr and on to the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center for lunch. After lunch, we head back to the cars on Dickey Ridge Tr.
Need to Know Information:
*Hike Starts: 9:00 AM (Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in)
*Distance: 8.6 miles
*Elevation gain: 1,516 feet elevation gain
*Pace: Moderate Pace of 2.0-2.5 mph when moving.
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
*TRAILHEAD Parking lot on Skyline Dr. ~Mile Marker 9.1 coordinates:38.834250,-78.185885 https://maps.app.goo.gl/cf9JBCQDtKemd7bQ8 Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged.
*Park Entrance Fee $30 per car or free if you have the annual pass.
*CARPOOLING: For those who are looking to carpool, feel free to use the comment section to organize.Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Carpooling is organized by the hikers and they participate at their own risk.
*Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic
Leaders: Becky M. 703-229-9699 and David C. 571-643-3897
