An 80-Year Tradition of Hiking the Washington, DC Area
With evolving COVID-19 advisories we believe that for the safety of our hikers and our community we need to cancel Wanderbirds hikes for the foreseeable future. When the question was put to the Executive Committee (both current and future boards) the response was unanimous. We will continue to monitor the situation and will resume hiking as a club when it is safe to do so.
Thank you to all the Hike leaders and our Directors of Trails who scrambled to put together feasible car pool hikes on short notice. Thanks to the executive committee who worked on a variety of alternatives (such as no fee hikes so money wouldn't be handled, no snack hikes and alternative start times). In the true spirit of persistent hikers they consistently came up with alternatives and then alternatives to the alternatives, etc. But we now must do the prudent thing and not put people or the community at risk. Hope to see you all hiking soon.
Thanks for your patience and please stay safe, Bob Malkowski Wanderbirds President
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. With only a couple of exceptions during the year, you do not have to be a member of the Club to hike with us!
Just about every Sunday hike goes by chartered bus; occasionally we go by car pool. Just relax, while our experienced coach driver transports you to the trailhead, and enjoy snacks, beverages, and maybe a snooze on your way home. It sure beats driving yourself! Learn more
Our hikers range in age from 7 to over 80, and we welcome fast, experienced hikers as well as slower or beginning hikers. There's room for all on the trail! more info
Our bus departs from 17th and K Streets, NW, at 8:00 a.m. sharp every Sunday morning, unless otherwise noted in the schedule. Depending on the direction we are going there is a second stop in Vienna or Grosvenor Metro stations. more info
A reservation made to the hike leader is a commitment to attend the hike. If you make a reservation and then must cancel, please do so before 8:00 am, Saturday, preceding the hike. All no-shows and cancellations made after that time are asked to pay the designated fare for the hike. more info
The best thing is that you don't have to be a member of the club to hike with us! Just sign up to a hike and come out with us. If you enjoy hiking with us and want to become a member of the club, you can do so on the bus (talk to the leader). Membership is $20 per calendar year. more info
You should be able to walk 7 miles within 4-5 hours, including going up hills which may be steep and rocky at times. Our moderate hikes usually have between 1000 and 2000 feet of elevation gain. That's like climbing the Washington Monument 2 to 4 times! Easier options are often available. Check with the leader when signing up. Click here for more information.
Reservations are important. Hike leaders need to know that enough hikers are planning to come out to justify hiring a bus, otherwise a hike may be cancelled. Also, if you are a new hiker, you should call the leader at the phone number listed in the hike schedule both to reserve a place on the bus and to discuss the hike and your abilities. "Walk-ons" will be accepted if unreserved seats are available. Walk-ons run the risk of showing up early in the morning and being turned away because the bus is full.
If you sign up but find you have to cancel, please make sure you cancel with the leader before 8:00 AM Saturday before the hike, otherwise we will list you as a no-show. We expect no shows to pay the specified bus fare either online or by sending a check to our treasurer: Vicky Hsu.
The best thing is that you don't have to be a member of the club to hike with us! Just sign on to a hike and come out with us. If you enjoy hiking with us and want to become a member of the club, you can do so on the bus (talk to the leader). Membership is $20 per calendar year. You can also contact us and request a schedule and application form which you can mail back.