What we’re about
Let's get our Master Hiker's Designation from Virginia State Parks in 2026.
The goal? To visit all the **Virginia** State parks in 2026, completing the required Trail Quest, and earning the designation. [Click here to learn about the program]
Join me for all of some or just one of these hikes!
Scheduling:
- One weekend a month (usually the third weekend) we will focus on a cluster of parks which are near to one another.
- The exception will be the Northern Virginia hikes, since I live in the area, I will likely plan those as one-off day hikes. But if we get a core group of folks together, and decide to do it, I could plan a weekend for those.
- We will adjust the schedule for weather, holidays and other factors.
- In April, we will be hiking Easter weekend because we plan to go to the sunrise service at Natural Bridge. We will decide later in the year when to schedule the November and December hikes.
- I am going to try to plan hikes to be at the parks for all the best stuff! Sunrise, sunset, beautiful changing leaves, blooming flowers, Festival of Trees, maybe we will even get to see "rainbow swamp". I don't know the parks well - so tell me about this stuff if you do!
Other:
- You are responsible for you, I am not. Know your limits. I have no special training, I'm just a person that likes to hike and I'm inviting you to join.
- Always bring the 10 hiking essentials [CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE]
- Dress in layers. You can get hot in 25 degree weather when you're moving, and then you stop and the sweat freezes and you're in trouble.
- Nobody really has extra water for you - so please bring enough. If you don't, someone else is faced with giving you theirs, risking their own health to help you. That is not fair.
- Hiking poles are always a good idea.
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are strongly encouraged.
- This group is co-ed, but adults only.
- Not every park allows dogs, many trails aren't safe for dogs - it's up to you to research. Not everyone likes dogs, either (I do). So please be mindful of that. And if you are bringing a dog please put that in the comment sections so people know.
- Accomodations & travel will be up to the individual, I'm only planning the hikes, but carpooling and the like is encouraged.
Please: Speak up! Your input is welcome as I have not visited most of the parks in this challenge. Got tips? Share them! Best time of year to go? Where to stay? What not to miss? When not to go? Tell us everything!
I can't wait to meet you on a hike sometime soon.
Upcoming events
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First Landing State Park, the Rainbow Swamp
FIRST LANDING STATE PARK, 2500 Shore Dr,, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, USWhat a fun 1st hike to start off our trail quest!
After a brief potluck lunch to meet new friends, we'll head off on the short 1.8 mile Bald Cypress Trail in hopes of seeing the magical "Rainbow Swamp". Then we'll take the Cape Henry trail around the park (6.1 miles) and enjoy views of the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay, sandy dunes and maritime forests! (And yes, if you only want to do the first trail with us - you can do that.)
LUNCH: I will bring assorted sandwiches (& paper towels), based on the number of RSVPs. Please bring a side to share (chips, nuts, granola bars, fruit, etc.). Nothing fancy - we will be eating with our hands, no plates or silverware. Bonus points if they are things we can take with us to munch on during our hike. Drinks will be BYOB.
HIKE: Expect to walk about 8miles. This journey is not intended to be a race, but we do need to be out of the park by dark, so we will expect to be moving at 2-2.5 miles per hour (this is a typical walking pace for most healthy adults). See the trail map here.4 attendees
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