With its proximity to the Appalachian Trail and several large national forests, southwest Virginia has its fair share of hiking clubs. While most of them list day hiking as a primary activity, clubs also focus on backpack trips, trail maintenance, and other outdoor activities like canoeing, climbing, rafting, and camping.
Clubs
The Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, is a student-led group that focuses on all things outdoors. While based at the University, the club is open to members of the general public as well. The group plans numerous day hikes throughout the year, and maintains about 30 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
The Outdoor Adventure Social Club of Greater Charlottesville is an active group with hundreds of members. The club has hikes and other activities almost every day of the year, including hikes, backpacking trips, and general social gatherings. Members are encouraged to post their planned activities on the club's busy calendar.
The Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, based in Lynchburg, plans several hikes throughout the month at various locations in Virginia and elsewhere. The club also does work parties several times weekly to maintain sections of the Appalachian Trail. Roanoke and Mt. Rogers also have their own branches of the Appalachian Trail Club.
Places to Hike
About 25 percent of the Appalachian Trail lies in Virginia, so there's no question that it's a popular trail for hikers in all parts of Virginia. The southwest part of the state has about 166 miles of the Trail, including the highest point in the state, Mt. Rogers. Other popular hiking in the state include dozens of hikes in the Jefferson National Forest and the George Washington National Forest, which contain about 350 miles of wild lands.
Membership
Typically, joining a hiking club in southwestern Virginia means paying some sort of dues. Fees for membership range from 10 to 40 dollars on average. For the nationally-based clubs, like the Appalachian Trail Clubs, membership includes a regular newsletter giving you information about hiking safety and more. On top of dues, be prepared to sign some type of liability form when you join a club, to protect the club from responsibility should you get hurt on the trail.
Meetups
Social networking groups offer a way for you to get to know a group before you head out on a hike or other activity. Meetups, the social networking tool that allows groups to form their own Facebook-style network, are one way to see what's available in your area. In the Charlottesville area, check out the Charlottesville Hiking Group, while in Roanoke, check out the Roanoke Outdoor and Social Club. You will have to sign up as a member of the group to participate and find out what hikes and activities the groups are planning.
What to Bring
Being in a hiking club means you'll have companionship while out on the trail, but it doesn't exempt you from needing your own set of basic safety items. When you go out hiking, be sure to bring your own water supply, emergency food like trail bars or energy bars, a first aid kit, extra socks, an emergency blanket, sunblock, bug spray, and any medications you take. You never know when you might get separated from the group, so it's also a good idea to be sure that you know the way, and that you don't rely on the expertise of others. For that, be sure to bring trail maps and a compass or GPS system.
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