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
24
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.
Hike Overview: This is a 10 mile hike from the boundary of SNP to a spectacular gorge. It has an elevation gain of about 2200 feet. The initial ascent is steep. We start at a small parking area along Rt 625 in Washington, VA. Parking at the trailhead is limited. We go up the Mount Marshall Trail, and then make a left on the Bluff Trail. Then we descend to the overlook on the Big Devils Stairs Trail where we will eat lunch. After lunch, we will retrace our steps back to the cars.
Leader: Caroline Steinberg 703.489.1315 (C)
Rating: A
Pace: Average pace 2.5 mph; faster on flat or downhill, slower on uphill
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park & Ride at 7:15am so all cars can depart by 7:30. Suggested carpool fee is $7. The leader will be at the carpool location in a gray CRV. GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dw3isoCM89L1KxZe9
Driving time from carpool location to trailhead: 65-70 minutesTrailhead: Meet at the Mount Marshall Trailhead at 8:45am. GPS Coordinates: 38.7478506,-78.1940236
https://goo.gl/maps/753g5eJebaxYAwMYANeither 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.
Pets: Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with NVHC's dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Map for hike: Big Devils Stairs on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/mount-marshall-loop-via-appalachian-trail-2b7b82a?u=i&sh=rr7xq6You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain.
14 attendees
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to Leesylvania State Park (Rating: B)
Neabsco Regional Park, 15125 Blackburn Rd, 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.
9.5 mile hike with 600 feet of elevation gain.
Join us as we hike from Neabsco Creek Boardwalk to Leesylvania State Park and back. Should be a scenic and enjoyable hike!
Description: We will start off at Neabsco Regional Park and make our way to the boardwalk and across the marsh at Neasbsco Creek. This allows for unique access to wetlands where the tall grasses and marsh filter pollution from the river and provide a rich habitat for birds and other wildlife. Once across the boardwalk, we will hike a short distance through the Julie Metz Wetlands area and then enter Leesylvavnia Park on the Potomac Heritage trail. We will hike several trails within the park which includes views of the Potomac River.
There are several rolling hills but they are short and spread out.You must be capable of hiking this distance and elevation.
The pace will be about 2.5 mph.
There are porta-johns at the parking area at Neabsco Regional Park as well as restrooms at Leesylvania State Park where we will break for lunch.
Bring: Sufficient water/hydration, insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks/lunch, and good hiking shoes. There are no stream crossings. Hiking poles if you normally use them.
Fee: There is no parking fee at Neabsco Regional Park parking lot.
Dogs are welcome. NVHC Dog policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please ensure your dog is capable of this distance.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
Neabsco Creek Boardwalk: https://www.visitpwc.com/listing/neabsco-creek-boardwalk/1648/
Meeting Place Instructions: We are meeting at Neabsco Regional Park parking lot at 15125 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge, VA. Coordinates 38.61595,-77.27503
Optional rehydration at Stonebridge Town Center
Any questions, please message me on Meetup or text me @ 202-528-0456 If you text, please include your name.
26 attendees
Goats and Horses - Gabrielson Garden Park Reston/Oakton (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 7.5-mile hike with 600 feet of elevation gain through the woodlands of Reston and Oakton. On the hike we'll pass horse paddocks and may even see a group of curious goats. This is one of my favorite sections of the Cross County Trail and probably the least traveled. Thanks to Tom Underwood for the photo.
We'll start at the Walker Nature Center and pick up the Cross County Trail (CCT) for an out and back of the northern half of CCT Section . Our turn will be at Gabrielson Garden Park,
Park on Glade Road so the Nature Center parking lot can be kept open for the Center's pre-school activities and drop-offs.We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.
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:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/gabrielson-garden-goats-horse-steve-frith-4cc5400?u=i&sh=iypgzx27 attendees
Green Spring Gardens to Mason District Park (Rating: D)
Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, 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.
You don't have to wait until spring to enjoy beautiful flowers in bloom. Join me on this 5.5 mile Annandale hike from Green Spring Gardens to Mason District Park. They have a lovely collection of orchids in the Glass House, native plant garden, wooded stream valley with ponds, a historic home and gift shop. Green Spring is home to more than 100 different witch hazels. We will be walking on dirt trails, sidewalks, and some asphalt paths.
HIKE: 5.5 mile/260 ft. of elevation gain. Pace 2.5-3 mph while moving.
MEET: Meet in front of Green Spring Gardens Horticultural Center attached to the Glass House. Please arrive 15 minutes early so there is time to check in and leave promptly at 9:30am.
RESTROOM: There are restrooms at the start at Green Spring Gardens and at the halfway point at Mason District Park (may or may not be open there).
FEE: Green Spring Gardens has a $2 fee per person for groups of 12 people or more, even if you park elsewhere.
DOGS: No dogs please.
LEADER: Kris N (618) 623-2484 and Anita D
Meeting Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfAfh5DMTXn7T5cA7
30 attendees
Past events
4686
