Walking for Fitness

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy nature! We meet Saturdays at 10am, by the bike racks and benches 150 feet in front of BUBBLES Hair Salon in Reston, leaving no later than 10:05. Every week we'll walk the Green Trail to Lake Anne Plaza (\~1 mile), pause there for 5-10 minutes (water, bio, and from April-Nov a Farmer's Market), then circle the lake (2 miles) before returning to our starting point. It's roughly 3.5 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to a local restaurant to refuel and relax before tackling the rest of the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and both friends and dogs are always welcome! We recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water bottle, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll always walk, rain or shine. By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy nature! We meet Saturdays at 10am, by the bike racks and benches 150 feet in front of BUBBLES Hair Salon in Reston, leaving no later than 10:05. Every week we'll walk the Green Trail to Lake Anne Plaza (\~1 mile), pause there for 5-10 minutes (water, bio, and from April-Nov a Farmer's Market), then circle the lake (2 miles) before returning to our starting point. It's roughly 3.5 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to a local restaurant to refuel and relax before tackling the rest of the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and both friends and dogs are always welcome! We recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water bottle, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll always walk, rain or shine. By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy nature! We meet Saturdays at 10am, by the bike racks and benches 150 feet in front of BUBBLES Hair Salon in Reston, leaving no later than 10:05. Every week we'll walk the Green Trail to Lake Anne Plaza (\~1 mile), pause there for 5-10 minutes (water, bio, and from April-Nov a Farmer's Market), then circle the lake (2 miles) before returning to our starting point. It's roughly 3.5 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to a local restaurant to refuel and relax before tackling the rest of the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and both friends and dogs are always welcome! We recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water bottle, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll always walk, rain or shine. By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Hello Hikers!! Welcome to our Saturday morning hike at 8:30 AM! Many - but not all - of our hikes originate at Great Falls Park, off Georgetown Pike. Unless you already have an appropriate pass, the park entrance fee is $20/car for a single visit or $35/car for a 12-month pass that is good for the Maryland side of the river too. Come twice and you'll save 5 bucks! For the record, all scheduled hikes will be held even when it rains, snows or is super hot or cold unless the weather is too extreme to be safe. Our standard hike is a relatively easy 1 hour plus loop hike at a moderate pace. Usually a hike-extension is offered for those wishing to add a few miles more, up to 7 miles or so total. In spite of our Meetup name, we also hike in nearby parks such as Riverbend, Scott's Run, Turkey Run, Seneca, and Billy Goat A or C on theMaryland side of the Potomac. We have also scheduled hikes in Shenandoah NP and at Sugarloaf in Maryland. Please note that phone connections can be iffy in the park so don't call you are running late, but texting may work. It's best for you to be on time as we set out pretty much on time. This 1+ hour of hiking (or more) is a great way to relax, turn off your cell phones, make new friends, and get some exercise. I hope to see you on the next hike!! Thanks Dick, Julie, and Katie P.S. We will meet at the lower parking lot. Once you pass the ranger's booth, make an immediate U-turn to the right and follow the road downhill to the parking lot. We meet by the big rock at the far end of the lot.

**Make new friends and enjoy the great outdoors** on a 4.2-mile loop hike from Riverbend Park to Great Falls Overlook and back, with an optional **lunch at Mookie’s BBQ afterward**. This hike offers a great mix of outdoor adventure and social connection, giving you a chance to enjoy nature while meeting others who share your love for the outdoors. We’ll start at the Riverbend Park parking lot and follow a scenic trail through the woods with a few small inclines, then on the return from the Overlook we'll follow the trail along the Potomac River. The route winds through peaceful woodlands and scenic riverside paths, leading to the stunning Great Falls Overlook 2. This is an **easy-to-moderate hike**, with mostly flat terrain and a few gentle inclines, making it accessible to a wide range of fitness levels. The hike will take about **2.5 to 3 hours**, offering plenty of time to enjoy the views and good company. Afterward, join us for lunch at **Mookie's BBQ** located at 1141 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066. It’s the perfect way to relax, socialize, and share stories with fellow hikers. Whether you’re here for the scenery, the exercise, or to connect with like-minded people, this outing promises to be a memorable experience. Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to sign up! **Meeting Time & Location:** We’ll meet at **9:30 AM** in the Riverbend Park parking lot. Please refer to the map pin for the exact location. **Distance:** 4.2 miles **Elevation Gain:** 302 feet **Difficulty:** Easy (a few gentle inclines) This hike features natural, well-maintained trails that are mostly flat, with a few easy-to-walk uphill sections near the beginning. The wide and smooth paths make it easy to walk and chat with others along the way. With minimal obstacles and straightforward navigation, this hike is an excellent choice for anyone seeking an enjoyable and manageable outdoor adventure. **Estimated Duration** This hike is expected to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. **Pace:** Moderate Pace We'll walk a steady, comfortable pace that’s manageable for most hikers with a reasonable fitness level. Breaks are regular but not overly frequent, allowing for a balanced experience of exercise and enjoyment. **Parking** We’ll park at the **Riverbend Park parking lot**, which has ample spaces and serves as the starting point for our hike. Please check the event map for the exact location to ensure you arrive at the correct lot. **Trail Map (AllTrails)** [Take a Hike! (DMV) - Riverbend Park (Great Falls Overlook 2)](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/take-a-hike-dmv-riverbend-park-26dd0db?u=i&sh=ylk43q) Preview the hiking route on AllTrails to get familiar with the terrain. Download the map in advance to follow along and stay on track during the hike. **Dogs on the Trail** For everyone’s comfort and enjoyment, we kindly ask that you leave your dogs at home for this hike. Thank you for understanding! **Restrooms** Restrooms are available at the Riverbend Park Visitor Center and at the Great Falls Visitor Center. **Lunch After the Hike** Join us after the hike for a casual lunch at **Mookie's BBQ**, 1141 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066 - (703) 759-2386. It’s a great chance to relax, enjoy a meal, and connect with fellow hikers. **Waitlist Policy** To keep things fair, hikers will be moved off the waitlist in this order: **1\. Regular Hikers:** Those who join hikes often get first priority. **2\. Past Hikers:** Next are returning hikers, based on attendance and cancellation history. Frequent cancellations may lower priority. **3\. New Hikers:** New members will be added as space allows.