Hikes

 Hiking with PATC  
   
 Featured Hikes  
   

Hiker Resources

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

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 - check back soon for our PATC Hikes Meetup Group!
 - Hiking groups
 - 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
Nov 19 2019 8:30AMVigorous Hikers - Buck Ridge,The Pinnacle and Pass Mtn.Gene Whitakergenewhit@gmail.com
Nov 20 2019 10:15AMEasy Hikers--Germantown MDMargaret Chapman 301-977-8988 call between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., E-mail is preferred: MargtChapm@aol.com
Nov 26 2019 8:00AMVigorous Hikers - Sugarloaf Mt. Triple-Loop TourBob Livezey bobbilbo@msn.com
Nov 27 2019 12:00AMEasy Hikers--Great Falls, Potomac MDMargaret Wu, home telephone: 301-299-7454, cell on day of hike: 301-256-8677msmswu@verizon.net
Dec 3 2019 8:30AMVigorous Hikers - SNP Off Trail Venture to the Waterfalls off the Mt. Marshall and Bluff TrailsDave Greendkgreenva@hotmail.com
Dec 4 2019 10:15AMEasy Hikers--Rock Creek Park Trail, MarylandAyana Touval 301 493 8278 
Dec 10 2019 8:00AMVigorous Hikers--Prince William ForestDavid Saahdavidm.saah@gmail.com
Dec 11 2019 10:15AMEasy Hikers--Glover Archbold Trail, DCGary Abrecht, 202/546-6089. Cell on day of hike: 202/365-2921garyabrecht@gmail.com
Dec 17 2019 8:00AMVigorous HikersBruce Michael Freedmanbfreedman58@aol.com
Dec 18 2019 10:15AMEasy Hikers--Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station VADorris Mattraw, 703-727-8211dorismattraw@gmail.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.
 Midweek Hikers  
Wednesday hikes provided by PATC members, often with multiple options for each hike; e.g. 7 miles or 14 miles.
 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.

OTHER LOCAL HIKING ORGANIZATIONS

 Sierra Club Potomac    A special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter that organizes hikes and other events for the general public on behalf of the Sierra Club's Washington, DC chapter. 
 Wanderbirds     Founded in 1934, the Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a non-profit, all-volunteer club that organizes at least 2 day-hikes every Sunday, year-round, for energetic folks in the Washington, DC area.  Membership not required to hike.
 Capital Hiking Club    Local hiking club with options for all skill levels, 52 weeks a year including destination hiking.   Public welcome. 
 KTA Hiking Federation    Keystone Trails Association is a federation or group of different Pennsylvania hiking clubs & individuals who advocate to protect the trails of Pennsylvania.
 Mountain Club of Maryland    The oldest hiking club in Maryland, a Baltimore-based group offering hiking options mid-week & weekends of differing distance & difficulty.   Also maintain portions of the Appalachian Trail & other regional trails.

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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 lets 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:
Rush Williamson, Chair
Deb Coleman
Chris Firme
Jeff Monroe
Emeline Otey


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