About the Hike Program
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.

PATC Hiking Groups

PATC Blue Ridge Chapter
The Blue Ridge Chapter members are hikers and volunteers of all backgrounds who work to maintain the Appalachian Trail and other PATC trails from the northern Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. We welcome guests to come along on our hikes - you do not have to be a member, though we will occasionally give members priority on high demand outings. We have a blast exploring local trails, but trail building and maintenance is the centerpiece of the PATC's mission. See our Meetup group for the latest on our schedule.

PATC Charlottesville Chapter
The Charlottesville Chapter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is the oldest hiking and trail maintenance organization in the Charlottesville area, hiking and helping trails since 1986! Our members are avid hikers who love the trails so much we recognize the vital need to maintain them for all to enjoy. We lead trips in the Shenandoah National Park and other locations throughout Central Virginia. Joining our Meetup group will send maintenance trips and hikes information to your email as they are posted.

PATC Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
The Southern Shenandoah 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.

Vigorous Hikers
The Vigorous Hikers welcomes everyone is welcome to come hiking with us every week, keeping in mind that our Tuesday hikes are for hikers in good physical condition. Age does not matter, but you should understand what it means to hike 16 or so miles with 3000 ft. or more of climbing. See our Hike Schedule page showing our hikes for the next couple of months.

Easy Hikers
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.

Wanderbirds
Founded in 1934, the Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501 (c) non-profit, all-volunteer club that organizes day hikes every Sunday, year-round, for energetic folks in the Washington, DC area.  All you need to do is join the club on Meetup. After that, sign up for any hike you like.
Many of our hikes go by chartered bus, with pickups in DC and either Vienna metro or Grosvenor metro. Just relax, while our experienced coach driver transports you to the trailhead, and enjoy snacks, beverages, and maybe a snooze on your way home. We also offer trailhead hikes. The Wanderbirds Hiking Club Meetup site includes descriptions of all hikes for the current quarter - check it out!

Capital Hiking Club
Come ride our bus to day-hike adventures at the region's many beautiful outdoor destinations! Experience the trails 52 weeks a year with Capital Hiking Club, a non-profit group that's been operating since 1937, welcoming the public to join us on all hikes. We specialize in hiking options that challenge a range of skill levels and fulfill the varied interests of our hikers. Saturday weekly hikes: Long hikes averaging 9-12 miles and shorter hikes averaging 6-9 miles, plus social time with post-hike refreshments.  The Club's chartered bus starts picking up hikers near 17th and K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC and makes more pick-up stops in either VA or MD (depending on the destination) for most Saturday hikes. Occasional trailhead or carpool hikes are offered. We also lead moonlight hikes on the C&O Canal Towpath as well as full-moon hikes downtown. Sign up on the Capital Hiking Club Meetup.

DC Metropolitan Hikers
Welcome! Meet other local hiking enthusiasts to explore what our metropolitan area has to offer. It's our mission to visit some national parks in the country and international hiking destinations as well. If you're a nature lover who wants to take some time out of your busy life to get out in the woods and enjoy waterfalls, wild life, and amazing views, you belong with this group. Enjoy life and stay in shape! Happy trails! Join the DC  Metropolitan Meetup site to sign up.

Northern Virginia Hiking Club
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.

Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO)
SCPRO is 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 and the close-in groups of the Maryland and Virginia Chapters. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. We welcome all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history.

PATC Wild Women Trampers
The Wild Women Trampers of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a group of women outdoor enthusiast who love to come together for fun, learning and outdoor adventure on and of the trail. We are the daughters of women pioneers and in us all lives that wild adventurous spirit! Wild Women Trampers is more than a hiking club, this group will be used as a way to connect women to the outdoors and to foster a strong female outdoor community no matter who you are or where you are in your outdoor journey. Check out our offerings.

PATC Hike Leaders Handbook

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