What we’re about
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 were 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.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Gathland State Park to Weverton Cliffs: MD AT (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride, Centreville, VA
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.
Please join me on this lovely out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail in Maryland, 11.8 miles with 1660 feet of total elevation gain. The hike will begin at Gathland State Park near Burkittsville, MD and follow the AT south along South Mountain to Weaverton Cliffs. We will begin hiking at 9:00.
There are no steep, sustained climbs on this hike, just a lot of rolling ups and downs, as well as some rocky sections. We will have an early lunch at the spectacular Weaverton Cliffs overlook, and then retrace our steps back to our cars.
We will hike at an average moving pace of 2.5-3.0 miles per hour and stop at all intersections. There are restroom facilities at the trailhead, and there is no park fee.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. If you plan to bring a dog on this hike, please contact me about the dog’s prior hiking experience with NVHC.
Leader: Becky Reickel 301-471-3641
Carpools: Meet at the Centreville Park and Ride at 7:15 am. Suggested carpool fee is $8.00 per rider. The leader will not be at the carpool location and will meet the group at the trailhead. Anyone intending to carpool may want to post a message to the group to be sure someone else will be there. GPS coordinates for Centreville Park and Ride: 38.836080, -77.455327. https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18
Trailhead: Meet at the Gathland State Park Parking Lot at 8:45 so that we can start hiking at 9:00. GPS coordinates for the trailhead: 39.404750, -77.640356. https://goo.gl/maps/WBoNCzGfun83H5nK7
Park Fee: None
Rating: A
Map of the hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/gathland-weaverton-f8c1f23?p=-1&sh=zg5qvz
- Last-minute Hazel Mountain Loop Hike (Rating: A)Centreville Park & Ride Lot, Centreville, VA
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.
I just realized that there are no A hikes planned this weekend, and figured I would see if anyone else wants to stretch their legs in what promises to be ideal hiking weather. I can't promise that we'll have leaves as pretty as this view from 2015, but it should be nice in any event.
We will be hiking from Skyline Drive down into the Hazel River valley, and then back up, with stops at a scenic overlook and Cave Falls. We will have lunch at one of the scenic stops, depending on how timing works. It is 10.4 miles, and approximately 2500 feet of elevation gain. We will average about 2.5 miles per hour. Please message me if you are uncertain about your ability to do handle this.
You can find a map and the trailhead location at https://www.alltrails.com/ar/trail/us/virginia/hazel-mountain-sams-ridge-white-rocks-loop . Let me know if you plan to meet at the trailhead rather than at Centreville Park and Ride.
Please bring *at least* two liters of water and snacks sufficient to maintain your energy throughout the day. You may also want to brink water shoes, as some of the stream crossings may be easier that way.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: htpps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Park Entry Fee: $30 per vehicle
Car pool fee: $5.00
Please arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride before 7:15 to sign in and organize rides, with a view to leaving promptly at 7:30. You may also meet us at the trailhead at the Meadow Spring Parking Area off Skyline Drive (38.638526628025595, -78.31372652677929) at 9:15. If you plan to go directly to the trailhead, please message me ahead of time so I know not to wait for you in Centreville.
If you have any questions, you can message me through Meetup, or call me at 703-994-9098.
- Great Falls Park - Virginia (Rating: B)Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail, Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA
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 8.6 mile hike with 600' elevation gain on various trails in Great Falls and Riverbend Park Virginia. Maneuvering on some rocks is involved. If the trail is very slippery, we may leave out the rocky part. We will have a snack break over the middle, close to the Great Falls Park Visitor Center, at the Falls overlook (just like the picture).
Pace: 2½ mph when moving.
Leader: Willem Janssen, cell 202-280-4397
Map: Explore Great falls park nov22 | AllTrails
Rating: B. The hike comes in at about 8.5 real and 1.5 elevation miles, just above the B limit.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Trailhead: We will start at the Difficult Run parking lot on Georgetown Pike which is outside the park. GPS coordinates are: 38.9783, -77.2491
Park Entry Fee: $0.00
- Occoquan Haunted Hike (Rating: C)Brickmakers Cafe, Lorton, VA
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.
The highlight of this adventure is learning about the haunted history of Occoquan. We will share stories of paranormal activity rumored to occur in various locations in Occoquan. The walk will be entirely on paved trails. We will meet at the upper level parking lot across from Brickmaker's Cafe in Occoquan Park. We will walk two miles (one mile of it is on the bike path along Ox Road) to the town of Occoquan, walk two miles in Occoquan hearing ghost stories, and then retracing our two mile route back to the Brickmaker's Cafe for lunch (for those interested). There is some elevation gain coming out of Occoquan Park and then returning on the bike path from the town of Occoquan. Feel free to join us in a costume or festive Halloween attire- we'll be wearing ours!
Distance: 6 miles (out and back)
Pace: 2.5-3 miles per hour, while moving
Elevation: 400 ft.
Terrain: Paved
Dogs: are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC dog policy,
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy. Please note that dogs are not permitted in the cafe.
Park entry fee: none
Hike Leaders: Kris N., Teresa B.===
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How to get there:
From I-95 South, exit 163 for VA-642/Lorton Rd. At the end of the exit ramp take a right onto Lorton Rd. Follow Lorton Rd for 1.4 miles then turn left on to Workhouse Road. In 0.6 mile make a left at the light onto Ox Road. In 0.4 mile take a left at the light into Occoquan Park. Go about 0.7 mile and park in the big parking lot on the left, across from the Brickmakers Cafe. This is the upper level lot. Please do not park in the lower lot near the water, as that lot is for boat launch.