Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

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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.

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Harpers Ferry Hike and Bushwhack (Rating: B)
30 мар. 2026 г. 8:00 EDT
One Loudoun Park and Ride, 20360 Savin Hill Dr, One Loudoun, 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 8 mile hike in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, with 1000’ elevation gain including about 2.5 miles of bushwhacking. We will begin at the Harpers Ferry train station. We will hike a loop thru town and then across the Potomac River on the Goodlow Bryon Memorial footbridge. Taking a left we will hike a couple of miles along the C&O canal before beginning the bushwhack to explore prominent sites including a hand-dug iron pit, various structures and up a road that hauled supplies to a Civil War fort (Fort Duncan). Long pants and tick spray recommended. We hike at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph when moving.

Bushwhacking involves walking off trail with potential obstacles such as downed trees, brush, sticker bushes, rocks, mud, stream crossings and steep uphills and downhills. Only RSVP if you are up for this adventure.

Due to the nature of bushwhacks attendance will be limited.

Rating: B

Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C)

Carpools: Arrive at the One Loudoun Park and Ride at 7:45am, carpools leave at 8:00am GPS Coordinates: 39.054674, -77.459302, https://maps.app.goo.gl/dyK5ptbQGR7hAMV59 . Suggested carpool fee is $4. Meet at the dead-end spur part of the lot. Look carefully at GPS location in the lot. The leader will be at the carpool location. Driving time to the trailhead from the carpool location ~1 hour.

If you are going to the trailhead, meet at the Harpers Ferry Train Station at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am, GPS coordinates: 39.324540, -77.731047
https://goo.gl/maps/yLmDLB9cx44Bkr4z7

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.

Parking Fee at Train Station: $20 (The only way to pay is scan the QR code on your phone) or free with National Park pass. If you have a pass please display it with signature side up on your vehicle's dashboard, where it can clearly be seen through the windshield.

No dogs are permitted on this hike.

AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/harper-s-ferry-bushwack-60bb806?u=i

****You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain. ****
26 участников
Riverbend Park - Potomac Heritage Trail (Rating: C)
30 мар. 2026 г. 9:00 EDT
River Bend Nature Center, 8700-8814 Jeffery 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 a 7.8 mile hike along the Potomac River, with 300’ elevation gain. We will begin at the River Bend Nature Center on Jeffery Road and hike down to the Potomac Heritage Trail where the hike follows the Potomac up river.

Hike Rating: C-Moderate 7.8 mi + 300/400ft/mi = 8.5 equiv mi (C-hikes are between 7-10 equiv. miles)

Leader: Harvey

Meet at 9:00am at the parking lot in front of the Nature Center. This is not the usual parking lot in Riverbend. Instead continue on Jeffery Road past the normal park entrance until the road bends right and then left and ends in a parking lot. GPS Coordinates: 39.0220, -77.2507

Fee: $3
Because this event originates at Riverbend Park please bring $3 to contribute to a $30 group fee for events held at the park. I will have a bucket for contributions and cannot guarantee change so please bring small bills. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/hours (any extra will be donated to the park)

Maps for the hike:
https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0HUAtKhXPvx2_p9Svd8OCAZ9Q#River_Bend_Park_-_Potomac_Heritage_Trail
GaiaGPS map:
https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.8/-77.2578/39.0290&pubLink=fqDM6B3xCVxc3kTBimld0a4G&trackId=0893e039-f597-4317-9e22-c728a3b00801
gpx file for import into your favorite mapping program:
33 участников
Bear Church Rock (Rating: A+)
31 мар. 2026 г. 7:00 EDT
Centreville Park & Ride, 14700 Lee Hwy, Centreville, 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 A+ hike (strenuous) due to distance and elevation.

PLEASE NOTE: This hike is only suitable for those who have recent experience hiking this distance and elevation gain. There is a potentially tricky water crossing depending on the water level. Shoe covers are advised.

This hike is 12.8ish miles and about 3,100 feet of elevation gain. We will start the hike on the Graves Mill Trail then take the Staunton River Trail to the Fork Mountain Fire Road to the Jones Mountain Trail, where we’ll eventually hit Bear Church Rock, then back to the Staunton River Trail and Graves Mill Trail to the cars.

For those wishing to CARPOOL, the suggested carpool location is at the Centreville Park and Ride, 14700 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA. The driving time from there to the trailhead is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes (with no stop). Please arrive at the Park and Ride before 7:00 AM to form carpools so all cars can leave at 7:00 AM sharp. I WILL BE AT THE CARPOOL LOCATION.

PLEASE NOTE: 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 participation is at your own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $9.00 per rider.

Need-to-know info:
- CARPOOLING: See above. Parking is limited so carpooling is advised.
- Distance: 12.8ish miles
- Elevation gain: 3,100ish ft.
- Pace: 2.5 - 2.7 mph overall
- Trailhead meetup time: 8:45 A.M. Hike starts at 9:00 A.M. SHARP.
- Parking Coordinates: 38.43714,-78.36709
- Park Entry fee: $0
- Carpool Fee: $9
- Pace: 2.5-2.7 mph when moving.
- Terrain: Somewhat rocky, steep and gentle grades, three stream crossings
- Bring: Adequate water, lunch/snacks, hat, tick/bug spray, basic first aid kit, map, rain gear (depending), hiking poles, hiking shoes, boot covers for the stream crossing (just to be prepared) and a good attitude.
- Pets: Allowed per NVHC guidelines. Must be leashed
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS THAT YOU MAY NEED. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED HAVE BEEN PROVIDED.

AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/reverse-bear-church-rock-de03bef

Any questions? Message or call the Hike Leader:

Caroline S (703)489-1315
20 участников
5 места осталось
First and Second Manassas Battlefield Hike (Rating: B)
31 мар. 2026 г. 8:30 EDT
Manassas Battlefield, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, DC, 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 9 mile, approximately 580 feet elevation gain hike within the Manassas National Battlefield Park over the First and Second Manassas Trails.
The hiking pace will be about 2.5 mph.

The “First and Second Manassas” are named for two important American Civil War battles that occurred on July 21, 1861 (First Manassas) from August 28 to August 30, 1862 (Second Manassas) respectively.

NOTE: The North typically named battles after nearby rivers or geographical features. Whereas the Confederacy often named battles after the nearest town or city. For example, the South named First Manassas because of nearby Manassas but the battle was named First Bull Run by the North after Bull Run.

Route:
The route map is pictured in the photos.

Meetup
Meet at the Manassas Battlefield National Park’s Henry Hill Visitor Center located at GPS: 38.812964,-77.520982 no later than 8:30 AM.
NOTE: I have a gray Subaru Outback with Virginia license plate VTS-2219.

Dogs
Dogs are permitted in accordance with the NVHC pet policy: https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. Please note that park policy states that dogs and other pets are allowed in the park and must be kept on a leash, even on the trails. The leash must remain connnected to you and the pet at all times while in the park.

Fees
There is no park entrance or parking fee.
Suggested carpool fee is $0.
Leader: Jim Hollis (703-927-7189)… Please use text or leave message.
20 участников