About us
Fun, Fitness, Friendship! Smith Mountain Lake Walking (Hiking) Club (AVA) is a chapter of the American Volkssport Association (AVA) -- a nonprofit network of local clubs in the US and 26 countries. A volksmarch can either be an easy walk or strenuous hike, depending on terrain and what club members want. We follow a preset trail thru a scenic or historic area. Events are non-competitive and participants travel at their own pace, making it an excellent activity for the entire family. To defray admin expenses and fund AVA walk credit, please pay $4. Correct change in cash appreciated. We featured curated walks led by experienced members. Annual dues are $10. We are world-wide, so try us if you like to travel! View the short video below (2:21 minutes). As of January 1, 2026: Profile should have a picture showing your face clearly, and uses your real name. Like "Smith Mountain Lake Walking Club" on Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/groups/1384947892548817. Contact Ron Jones, Organizer, thru Meetup!
Upcoming events
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- $4.00
See Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail! Salem VA. Walk 5 km (3 mi)
Sycamore Station, 1900 Dutch Oven Road, Salem, VA, USCome walk a beautiful, cool forested trail following Mason Creek! The trail offers a scenic walk through the area, with informative plaques detailing the history of the Civil War battle and the events that took place there. See photo above for the Hanging Rock Battlefield Monument Parking, which is the meeting point. To cover 5 km (3 miles), we will follow the trail downstream, and turn around at the halfway point, which is also the location of a Parkway Brewpub. It has little elevation gain. After the walk, we can have lunch at a tavern or the nearby Sycamore Station coffee house and cafe. Here is their website and menu: https://www.sycamore-station.com/ The Sycamore Station is near the site of the 1920s Hinchee and Hinchee store, which has a fascinating history documented in the Roanoker https://theroanoker.com/dining/a-general-store-renaissance/
Walk cost is $4 to defray admin expenses and fund AVA walk credit (correct change appreciated). Those willing to accept the Ten Walk Challenge will get a free new Walkers Kit, value $21! The Kit has coupons for two Free Walks!! Just ask us about it!Meet by in the trail head parking lot by 9:50 am to register so we can leave at 10:00 am. Look for walk host Ellen Harris near the Monument. For more info contact Ellen at harrisellen6@gmail.com or (540) 521-6961. If you live near Smith Mountain Lake, contact Ron Jones at outdoorsy_guy1@yahoo.com to carpool from the Westlake area.
See you on the trail!2 attendees
Past events
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