About us
PATC hikes are an opportunity to understand the club and its important trail maintenance work. You do not need to 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!
(PATC hikes are conducted by trained hike leaders. The hikes offer various levels of difficulty and distance).
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ABOUT PATC
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 100% Volunteer-Supported 501c3 non-profit formed in 1927 for the purpose of building and maintaining the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 2190-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia, the longest hiking-only trail in the world.
We are the Trail Guardians for over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia & Virginia, including 240 miles of AT. Our territory begins in Central Pennsylvania at Pine Grove Furnace, continues thru Maryland & West Virginia to Harpers Ferry and extends into the mid-point of Virginia, including the Shenandoah National Park. In addition, we maintain other regional trails, for a total of over 1,000 miles of trails, thousands of acres of land and more than 80 shelters and cabins.
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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.
Upcoming events
7
2026 Hike Across Maryland on the Appalachian Trail
Location not specified yetThe Mountain Club of Maryland will once again hike the AT starting at Pen Mar (MD/PA line) to Harpers Ferry in one day (Saturday May 23, 2026). The distance is about 41 miles over rocky and rough trails with several significant climbs.
Serious Hikers: This hike is intended for the serious hiker who has done three or more hikes of 15 miles or more. At a bare minimum, hikers should be able to hike at a rate of 2.5 to 3 miles an hour for 14 hours over mountainous terrain.
Checkpoints: There are 9 checkpoints along the way providing water/Gatorade and snacks to the hikers, including lunch food at the Washington Monument checkpoint which is the halfway mark (21 miles).
Camp Round Meadow: Stay the night of May 22nd at the Catoctin Mountain Park, Camp Round Meadow (https://www.nps.gov/cato/planyourvisit/camp-round-meadow.htm). Cost is included in the registration fee which is $60.00 plus fees.
More Information/Registration: For more information about the HAM and/or to register please visit https://2026HAM.eventbrite.com.
8 attendees
Neabsco Boardwalk and Leesylvania State Park, a 12-mile Moderate Hike
Neabsco boardwalk, 15385 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, VA, USNeabsco Boardwalk and Leesylvania State Park, a 12-mile moderate hike
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."
The hike will explore varied landscapes and history, wetland preserves, wooded upland, creeks, and an early plantation remains above the Potomac River. The hike follows the Potomac Heritage Trail for half a mile across the Neabsco Boardwalk and along the Neabsco Creek to upland woods in Leesyvania State Park. The trail leads along Powells Creek to the Potomac River. Here it follows past a plantation site the Lee family named Leesylvania, and to Civil War defenses overlooking the Potomac River. We then return along the Potomac River and Powell Creek, watching Fishermen trying their luck, and over rolling hills back to the Boardwalk and trailhead.
Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy along the way.
Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introduction and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00.Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike leader is Christa (410) 610-6254. Text as needed.Directions to Trailhead:
The address for Neabsco Regional Park is 15125 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191. The GPS coordinates are .Details:
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 820 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Portable toilet at trailhead
Fees: no feesCancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.Notes:
-PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. SHOULD YOUR PLANS CHANGE, KINDLY UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT ATTEND BECAUSE MEETUP MOVES PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY TO THE GOING LIST ONCE A SPOT OPENS.SIGNING OUT AFTER 6:00 PM WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW," AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES LED BY THIS ORGANIZER.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-A well-trained, leach Fido is welcome on this hike.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.15 attendees
PATC Cabin Open House and Hike, Trout Run School House and Big Schloss Hike
Location not specified yetThis is an opportunity for you to see and visit a PATC cabin, the Trout Run School House and hike a trail near the cabin.
Agenda:
9:15 a.m.- We will meet at PATC Trout Run School House- Trout Run School PATC, 9952 Trout Run Rd, Wardensville, WV 26851
9:45 a.m.- Depart from the PATC Trout Run School
10:00 a.m.- Arrive at Wolf Gap Recreation Area, 3.5 miles from the PATC cabin
10:15 a.m.- start hike to Big Schloss
Break at the overlook
1:15 p.m.- should be back to our vehicle at Wolf Gap Recreation AreaDirections and Parking: The address to Trout Pond School is 9952 Trout Run Rd, Wardensville, WV 26851.
You may want to carpool from Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
From I‑81, take Exit 279, turn west on SR 675, drive 3.5 miles to the stop sign at VA 42, turn right, then take the next left. Drive 3.1 miles to a fork, stay right on SR 675, and continue 3.4 miles to the top of the mountain; the entrance is on your right
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests | Wolf Gap Recreation Area | Forest ServiceHike Guide: Big Schloss via Wolf Gap Trail, West Virginia - 3,598 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
https://myhikes.org/trails/big-schloss-hike
Big Schloss is one of the George Washington National Forest's treasures. Huge reward for a moderate amount of work. This is one of my favorite hikes. The trail is 5 miles out-and-back via Mill Mountain and Big Schloss trail, with 1,050 ft of elevation gain. The trail is steep and rocky at the beginning, and levels off within a mile or so, and has a short rock scramble before the fantastic vista. This is not a good hike for those who fear heights. We'll hike at an average speed of 1.6- 2 mph.What to Bring: Water 2 liters, snacks, your own First Aid Kit, insect repellent/bug head net, any medication you may need on the trail, sturdy footgear, hiking/walking sticks, and a snack/lunch.
Please leave your pets at home.
Restroom: Flush toilet at Trout Pond School; Pitt toilets at Wolf Gap Recreation Area
Notes:
- Participants are required to sign a PATC HIKE SIGNUP SHEET AND LIABILITY form.
- RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, update your RSVP.
- To find out more about PATC, click here.
- Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.
Please check the night before for any updates. A hike will be cancelled due to weather conditions and Virginia Department of Transportation travel alerts.
Attendance will be limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. Preference will be given to PATC members.
PATC rules do not permit children under 18 to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.6 attendees
Past events
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