Hikes

 Hiking with PATC  
   
 Featured Hikes  
   

Hiker Resources

 PATC Maps  
   
 Shelters  
   
 Bears Den and Blackburn  
   
 Transportation  
   
 PATC Places To Hike  
   Places to hike in PATC's area, with maps and hiking guides that cover those areas.
 Leave No Trace  
   

HIKE WITH THOSE WHO BUILT THE TRAILS!

Hike with those who built and manage the trails! The PATC hike program is run by the same organization that built and maintains many of the hiking trails in this area.

PATC hikes are conducted by trained hike leaders. The hikes offer various levels of difficulty and distance. PATC hikes are an opportunity to understand the club and its important trail maintenance work. You need not be a PATC member to hike with us, but we hope you will consider joining after getting to know us. Come join us on the trails!

This website has all you need to know about our hiking program. To learn more, follow the links below:

 - About the hike program
 - Upcoming hikes
 - Sign up for a hike - PATC Hikes Meetup Group
 - Hiking groups
 - Hike Leaders Handbook
 - Become a hike leader 
 - For hike leaders only (under revision - sign in required)


ABOUT THE HIKE PROGRAM


The first stated purpose of PATC is "to support and encourage the ... proper recreational use of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and other trails".  This is done partly through the sponsorship of hikes on trails in PATC's area and on other trails. 

The club has a wide-ranging hiking program which includes local area hikes and excursions into other geographical areas. Hikes can range from short, close-in day hikes to extended excursions. Hikes can be for physical conditioning, social interaction, nature walks, history lessons, to reach a viewpoint, or any of a number of purposes. The club encourages a wide variety of hikes, and provides training and support to hike leaders.
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UPCOMING PATC HIKES

See our calendar for full descriptions and more hikes.
Also visit our Charlottesville Chapter and Southern Shenandoah Chapter for regional chapter hikes.
Hike DateHike NameContactContact email
May 30 2023 9:00AMBrown Mtn., Rocky Mtn and Big RunJosh Silvermanbetula54@msn.com
May 31 2023 10:00AMEasy Hikers--Schaeffer Farms Trail, Germantown MDDenise Tomlin call or text (240) 506-1113uconndenise@gmail.com
Jun 6 2023 8:30AMBuzzard Rock (PATC Map G)Steve Brownswbmit77@verizon.net
Jun 7 2023 10:15AMEasy Hikers--C&O Canal Towpath, Pennyfield Lock to Swains Lock and Back, Potomac MDMerrily Sterns, 917/715-1962 (cell) ?merrilydsterns@gmail.com
Jun 14 2023 10:15AMEasy Hikers--A loop in Rock Creek Park, from Meadowbrook Local Park, Chevy Chase MD Merrily Sterns, 917/715-1962 (cell) ?merrilydsterns@gmail.com
Jun 20 2023 8:30AMVigorous Hikers - Nethers, Passamaquoddy, Skyland and Back.Gene Whitakergenewhit@gmail.com
Jun 21 2023 10:15AMEasy Hikers--Lake Frank, Rockville MD Louise Lighter, 240-498-8975 for questions and on day of the hike.lighterlj@gmail.com
Jun 27 2023 8:30AMVigorous Hikers - Mt. Marshall in SNPMaryellen Trevisanmtrevisan59@gmail.com
Jun 28 2023 10:15AMEasy Hikers--Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg MDMargaret Chapman, 301-977-8988 between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. the morning of the hike. E- mail is preferred at other timesMargtChapman@aol.com

PATC HIKING GROUPS

 Vigorous Hikers   Tuesday hikes for any age in good physical condition; average 16 miles and 3000+ feet climb. 
 Easy Hikers    Wednesday hikes of 3-5 miles in length. Contact us at patceasyhikers@gmail.com to get added to our Easy Hikers email list.
 Charlottesville Chapter    The Charlottesville Chapter hosts Saturday hikes in Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or in other regional areas.
 Southern Shenandoah Chapter    The SSV Chapter hikes several weekends each month. We also have a short hike one Wednesday each month. Most of our hikes are in the George Washington National Forest or Shenandoah National Park.
 Other PATC Hikes   Natural History hikes, Civil War Hikes, and other hikes of general interest may be run at any time. Look for such hikes on our Calendar.


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PATC HIKE LEADERS HANDBOOK


The Hike Leaders Handbook contains information on Hike Leader qualifications, hike procedures, hike planning, leader responsibilities, equipment and more.


PATC NEEDS HIKE LEADERS!


PATC is expanding its hiking program and is in need of hike leaders to lead hikes in our area (Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia).
 
If you have a special trail you would like to share or a special talent like photography, geology, botany, history, or other area in which you excel, consider leading a hike or a series of hikes.

If you are able to lead a hike, please let us know by emailing the Hikes Committee chair at hikes@patc.net.  We will make sure you get all the information and material you need to lead a hike.

Leading a hike for PATC is a great way to familiarize both members and the general public of PATC and the work it does.

Thank you - and let's go on a hike!


Already a Trained Hike Leader and want to lead PATC hikes?
Contact the PATC Hikes Committee Chair  

Interested in PATC Hike Leader class?
Get more info on the PATC Hike Leader Class. 
 
Our Hikes Committee:

Iva Gillet, Chair

Melissa Burke

Andreas Keller

Bob Malkowski

Michael Martin

Jayne Mayne

Jeff Monroe

Glenn Palatini

Jean Stephens


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