What we’re about
“Not all who wander are lost.”
--J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Riddle of Strider”
For 90 years, the Wanderbirds Hiking Club has been leading adventurous souls into the mountains, forests and valleys of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania every Sunday all year long. Our day hikes are suitable for hikers of every age, shape, size and hiking level, whether experienced or beginning.
Wanderbirds travel to our hikes by either Metro, carpool, or chartered bus, and sometimes simply meet at a trailhead. For every hike, we provide experienced hike leaders, red arrow trail markers and trail maps for a “moderate” (7-10 miles) and “long” (10-13 miles) hike, plus social time with post-hike refreshments. Most of the time, both easier and more challenging hikes can be arranged. Bus hikes start by picking up hikers near 17th & K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC; a second stop varies between Vienna and Grosvenor metro stations, depending on the hike destination.
*** Find the complete quarter's hiking schedule by going to www.wanderbirds.org ***
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hike: Hawksbill Summit, SNP, VA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$30.00
(Bus hike) Hikers today will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the Page Valley from the highest point in the Park. Long hikers start at Tanners Ridge Overlook where they take the fire road to connect to the AT, on which they bear north towards Hawksbill Summit. Moderate hikers start at Fisher’s Gap and take the AT north. All hikers ascend to the summit of Hawksbill on the Salamander Trail where they stop to admire the view before continuing on the Lower Hawksbill Trail back to the AT and to Little Stony Man parking lot. Est.: 11.5 miles, 2500' elevation and 8 miles, 1700' elevation. PATC Map 10. Fare $30 plus park pass or fee.
VA Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Big Devils Stairs, SNP, VA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$30.00
(Bus hike) Big Devils Stairs provides views of one of the most imposing river gorges in Shenandoah National Park. Moderate hikers start at Jenkins Gap, walk for 300 feet south on Skyline Drive and turn left down the Mount Marshall Fire Road (which becomes Mount Marshall Trail), turn right (south) on the Bluff Trail and left on the Big Devil’s Stairs. Hikers descend the Stairs (frequent views east) to the first overlook, then climb back up and turn left onto the Bluff Trail to Gravel Springs Gap. They then follow Skyline Drive for 1/3 mile to the Range View Overlook. Long hikers take the A-T from the North Marshall parking area to the views at North Marshall and then descend to Jenkins Gap, where they will follow the moderate path. A shorter 6-7 mile hike with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain can be had by getting off the bus with the long hikers and ascending the A-T to the views at South Marshall Mountain. They then descend the A-T to Gravel Springs and follow the long and moderate hiker route in reverse. Est. 13 miles and 2000' elevation, 9.5 miles and 1700' elevation, and 6.5 miles and 1,000' elevation. PATC Map 9.
VA Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
RESERVATIONS
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Paw Paw Tunnel, MD17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$30.00
(Bus hike) Paw Paw Bends and Paw Paw Tunnel, Little Orleans, MD This hike covers a portion of the 184 mile C&O Canal that stretches from Georgetown to Cumberland, Md. As the crow flies, this hike would be only 6 miles long, but the Paw Paw Bends has to follow the bends of the Potomac River except for the tunnel. Long hikers start near Orleans Road and follow the bends to the Paw Paw Tunnel which hikers should enter with headlamps or flashlights as it is 3118' long. Six million bricks were used to line the tunnel wall. From there hikers have a short distance to the end of the hike. Moderate hikers will start at the end of the hike near Highway 51 and walk out to meet the long hikers. All hikers can take a trail over the tunnel if they choose and do a 2-mile loop that takes you through the tunnel and back to the tunnel trail head. Very little elevation gain except for the tunnel trail. Est. miles: 12-13 and 8-9. Map from 50 Hikes in Maryland guide. Bring a flashlight.
Hike fee: $30
Post hike snacks (free), beer($2.50) and soft drinks ($1.00).
Pick up points:
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Grosvenor Metro station at Tuckerman Lane off Rockville Pike in Bethesda (just north of the Beltway) Meet there by 8:15 a.m. Plenty of parking is available.
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
- Hike: Calvert Cliffs State Park and Battlecreek Cypress Swamp, MD17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$30.00
(Bus hike) This hike, along wetland areas and sandy hillsides, allows hikers to stroll along the beaches beneath the 50-to-80-feet-high Calvert Cliffs. The cliffs, which contain a treasure trove of fossils, is now off limits for prospecting, but hikers can keep sharks teeth and shells found on the beaches. Depending on time availability, hikers may also stroll along the quarter mile boardwalk of the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp’s ecological sanctuary, which includes the northernmost, naturally-occurring stand of bald cypress trees in America. There will be a good beach towards the end of the hike for swimming. Est.: 10 miles, 900' elevation and 7 miles, 500' elevation. Maryland DNR Map: Calvert Cliffs. Fare: $30.
Post hike snacks (free), beer($2.00) and soft drinks ($1.00).
Pick up points:
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Grosvenor Metro station at Tuckerman Lane off Rockville Pike in Bethesda (just north of the Beltway) Meet there by 8:15 a.m. Plenty of parking is available.
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike.Liability Waiver: Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before NOON on the Friday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.COVID PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE