Overview:

The SCWDC Recreation Program offers a variety of hikes suited for the casual as well as the more hardy and adventurous hikers. The program also offers multiple day excursions to local, state and national parks, and to more remote national and international locations.

Casual Hikes

The Casual hikes are approximately five miles in length through Washington Metropolitan area parks, woods, and forests. The casual hikes are perfect for those who can't devote a full day to hiking or who are just beginning to hike and feel comfortable walking at a brisk pace for at least two hours.  We have a Hiking Coordinator (See Contact Us web page) but anyone can lead their favorite local hike.  Hikes can be after work or half-day weekend hikes.  We'll have a long list of hikes that we have sponsored before, so you, as a new hike leader, do not need to write the hiking plan from scratch. For more information about hiking, please contact the SCWDC Sports/Recreation Chair Brigid O'Brien. 

Challenging Hikes

If you are an accomplished hiker, this type of hike might be for you.  Hikes are in the range of 7 to 10 miles with 1500’ to 2000’ vertical but could be more or less. We hike at a fairly fast pace so you must be "fit.". Group size is about 10. Hikes are in the Shenandoah Park & George Washington National Forest from 1-2 hours west of the Beltway. I generally select a hike from Hiking Upward and send an invite and link about Wednesday. If you are interested, send an email to Bill Rakow at  billrakow@gmail.com and he will put you on the invite list.

Natural History Hikes 

These 7 to 9 mile hikes, often in the Shenandoah National Park, focus on nature, with numerous stops along the way to learn about what we are seeing around us; what is happening to the inhabitants of our forests this time of the year, and what may be beneath that log.  These day-long hikes routinely end up with dinner at some local restaurant (optional).