The LWVA Hiking Club was formed in the fall of 2008 for residents and friends who want to enjoy an outdoor event each month, and to augment the Lansdowne walking trails with more challenging hikes at the many parks and hiking sites in the surrounding Washington Metropolitan area. We do either a “Loop Hike”, like Burke Lake, where we start and end in the same place without back tracking, or an “Out & Back” hike like the C&O Canal, where we go out and back on the same trail.

Depending on the location, hikes will have a specific degree of difficulty.

• Easy hikes are usually flat, wide trails, easy walking, of a distance ranging from 2 to 6 miles.
  Many of these hikes may be tailored by the hiker to shorten the distance. For example: On the same hike we may have one group that hikes 6 miles and a group that hikes 2 miles. These hikes are usually “out and back hikes” such as the C&O Canal (White’s Ferry, Great Falls Maryland, and Monocacy Aquaduct), Burke Lake and Huntley Meadows Park.
• Medium hikes have some up and down hills (elevation changes) and distances of 4-5 miles on paths that may be more narrow, in the woods, and winding.Typical medium hikes are Blueridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Riverbend Park, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve.
• Moderate hikes have more elevation, rougher trails, maybe somewhat rocky, with exposed roots, and distances of 4-5 miles. Hiking sticks are suggested. Typical moderate hikes are Rock Creek Park, Sugarloaf Mt., Hollowbrook Trail (860 ft. of elevation), and Great Falls Park Virginia.

Après Hike: A real highlight of every outing is the “Après Hike”, where the club gathers at a restaurant near the hiking area for lunch and discussion of the hike. Some even say that the club is really a gourmet group that hikes just to work up an appetite for the lunches.

Logistics: Detailed information on each hike is provided in the LWVA “Connector” at the beginning of the month. Hiking Club members also receive an email one week before the hike asking to respond if you are able to go. We always car pool to the hikes, so volunteer drivers are always welcomed.

The Club recommends that hikers wear appropriate hiking attire and good hiking shoes. Most trails are wide enough to allow shorts in the summer season. Also, walking sticks are very effective where there is elevation or rough trails and most importantly, for maintaining balance. The Club uses the “buddy system”, meaning that no one is permitted to hike alone. Hikers use a cell phone list to keep in touch during the hike.

Hike Locations: The club carpools from 30-60 minutes to travel to one of the many hiking sites in the four-state area (VA, MD, WVA, & WDC). There are no club dues, but the club asks that each rider in the car pool contributes $3.00 to the drivers for gas and tolls. We meet at the lower entrance to the LWVA clubhouse and drive to a location, hike, have lunch, and usually return by approximately 3 p.m.

Times: The Club hikes on the third Saturday of each month (4th Saturday as a rain date) departing at 8:30AM in summer or 9:00AM in winter. If you are interested in joining the Club, or want additional information, please send an email to Peggy King, stoneleighpeg@aol.com.