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: Sky Meadows, VA and Winery visit17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$33.00
This week’s Wanderbirds outing combines two favorite activities, hiking and wine. We’ll hike at beautiful Sky Meadows Park, a park with a rich history. The area was initially inhabited by Sioux Indians and later settled by English colonists. Devastated during the Civil War, it was eventually acquired by Paul Mellon, who donated it to Virginia State Parks. All hikers will start at the Visitor Center and hike across meadows on the James Ball and Corporal Morgan Trails, then take the South Ridge Trail and North Ridge trail to higher vistas. Moderate hikers will descend the North Ridge Trail to the visitor center, completing a leisurely but pleasant outing. Long hikers will continue to the Appalachian Trail and then begin descent on the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail, enjoying the scenic Paris view along the way. Afterwards we will visit nearby Blue Valley Winery. The winery sits atop a hill, with great views of the surrounding hills. There is ample seating inside and out. It’s a beautiful facility, enjoyable for wine drinkers and for those who prefer to bask in the scenery. We’ll stop at the winery for two hours, before boarding the bus for our return. Est.: 7.1 miles, 1200' elevation and 5.5 miles, 800' elevation. Park map. Fare: $33.
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: Shenandoah River State ParkNeeds location$5.00
(Trailhead hike) From the Massanutten Shelter, all hikers take the Turkey Roost and Overlook Trails to Culler's Overlook for a vista of the river, and continue on a loop following the Culler's, Bear Bottom, Big Oak, Redtail Ridge, and Campground Trails. After completing the loop they return via the Overlook and Turkey Roost Trails to the shellter. Long hikers add a loop on the Point Trail. Est.: 12.5 miles, 1100' elevation and 9 miles, 700' elevation. Shenandoah River State Park map. Fare: $5 plus park fee.
Meeting place: 350 Daughter Of Stars Dr., Bentonville, VA
Meeting time: 10:00 AMRESERVATIONS
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.FIRST-TIME HIKERSIf 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
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but as a courtesy, a hiker should 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: Neighbor and Knob Mountain Trails, SNP, VA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$33.00
Enjoy the splendor of Autumn in Shenandoah from a mountain summit to a creek below. The peak at Knob Mountain offers views of rich vegetation of the Elkwallow Gap within the Blue Ridge Mountain range while Jeremy’s Run provides a close-up view of a cascading stream with wildlife, such as turkeys, birds, and life along the creek bed. Long hikers start at Elkwallow Wayside and follow the A-T to the Knob Mountain Cutoff Trail. They take the cutoff trail to Knob Mountain trail where they turn left and ascend it to the peak and then descend to Jeremy’s Run Trail. At Jeremy Run, they go left and follow the trail back to Knob Mountain Cutoff Trail, the A-T, and Elkwallow. Meanwhile, moderate hikers take a more ridgeline hike. They start at Panorama and follow the AT north, crossing over Pass Mountain on their way to Elkwallow Wayside and the bus. There are also alternative long and moderate hikes. The alternative long hike starts at Beahms Gap Overlook, and follows the AT north for 1.3 miles to Neighbor Mountain Trail where hikers turn left and follow the trail to Jeremy Run trail where they meet other long hikers. The alternative, shorter moderate hike takes the A-T from Beahms Gap to Elkwallow for about 5.4 miles. This can be lengthened with side trails at Elkwallow. Est.: 12 miles, 2300' elevation for either long hike; 8.9 miles, 1500' elevation for the moderate; 5.4 miles for the short moderate. PATC Map 9. Fare: $33 plus park fee or pass.
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: Halfmoon Mountain Loop, Great North Mountain, WV17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$33.00
All hikers complete a circuit of Halfmoon Mountain starting from Trout Run Valley Road. Long hikers take Bucktail Trail to Capon Trail, go along Waites Run Road, and ascend German Wilson and Halfmoon Trails to Halfmoon Lookout and the views. They then descend on Halfmoon and Bucktail Cutoff Trails to Trout Run Valley Road and the bus. Moderate hikers take Bucktail Trail, ascend the German Wilson Trail, and follow the path of the long hikers. Est.: 13 miles, 2500' and 10 miles, 2100'. PATC Map F. Fare: $33.
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
