Join us Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, when we’ll be walking our club’s new Seasonal Walk at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve, Stafford, VA.
- WHEN: Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
- WHERE TO MEET: Because there is limited parking at the trailhead (only 18 spaces), we plan to meet and carpool from the Crow’s Nest Brooke Road access parking lot, located at 2500 Brooke Rd, Stafford, VA 22554. We will then drive to the trailhead which is off of the Crow’s Nest Raven Rd. access point, located at 81 Raven Rd., Stafford, VA 22554 (not far from where we’re meeting).
- MEETING TIME: We’ll meet at 8:15 a.m. and then carpool to the trailhead at 8:30 a.m.
- TO CLARIFY: The trail we are walking on is located off of the Crow’s Nest Raven Rd. access point. There is very limited parking there – only 18 spaces. You are welcome to drive to this parking lot, keeping in mind that if the lot is full, you will be turned away. That is why we are carpooling from the Crow’s Nest Brooke Rd. access point – it has more parking spaces.
- DISTANCE WE ARE WALKING: We’ll be walking a little over 5 miles (9K), but since this is an out and back walk, you can turn around at any time and return to the parking lot.
- DETAILS: Restrooms at trailhead. Pets – yes. Strollers/wheelchairs – no. Hiking poles are recommended if you have them.
- IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT REGISTRATION: This seasonal walk has only an Online Start Box (OSB) – not a physical box. We want to encourage you to create an account and register for this walk. Once you have your account set up, you’ll be able to do other walks that have only an OSB. Create an account by clicking here: https://my.ava.org/signup.php. If you are unable to set up an account and complete the online registration, the club has a stamp for the walk. Bring your Event and Distance books to the walk, and we’ll be able to stamp them ($3.00 fee).
- IF INTERESTED: Please join us for lunch afterwards at El Viejon Mexican Grill & Bar, 1243 Richmond Hwy., Fredericksburg, VA 22405.
- INFO ABOUT CROW’S NEST: Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is a large wilderness area located in Stafford County, VA, between Potomac Creek and Accokeek Creek. The preserve is named after a black sailing ship called The Crow that once docked in the Potomac Creek during the 1800’s. Crow’s Nest was also occupied by Union troops during the Civil War. It is home to nesting bald eagles and was a temporary home to Pocahontas. The Crows Nest Point Trail (9K round trip) takes you along a beautiful wooded path ending at Potomac and Accokeek Creeks. You will see an historic cemetery along the trail with information on early settlers.
- FOR MORE INFO: https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=124250
If you’d like to be on our mailing list, contact our club president, Sharon Vines at: fredericksburgwalkingclub@gmail.com.
The Fredericksburg Walking Club (FWC) is part of the Virginia Volkssport Association (VVA). Learn more about other Virginia walking events and clubs at: https://www.walkvirginia.org/
Other VA or Regional Walking Events
*The FWC and the VVA are members of the American Volkssport Association (AVA). Volksmarching is a form of non-competitive fitness walking that developed in Europe. Participants typically walk 5k (3.1 miles) or 10k (6.2 miles) on an outdoor trail. Volksmarch clubs offer incentives for AVA members for their AVA sanctioned walks. Volkssport participants enjoy recording distances and events in international record books. Incentive awards, like pins and patches, are given for collecting a certain number of events. If you would like to become an FWC or AVA member, contact us by the email, or come to one of our walks and ask us about it. You do not have to be an AVA member to walk with us, although we encourage it. The FWC schedules non-AVA walks along with AVA walks. For more information about the AVA: https://ava.org
Previous 2023 Walks:
From Our May 20th, 2023, Walk on First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield Trails
It turned out to be a beautiful morning to walk on the First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield trails. Sixteen of us enjoyed walking the paths through golden barley fields and blue skies while being able to read signage throughout about important Civil War events that occurred there. This is one of our club’s year-round walks, for those who are AVA members. Afterwards, a group of us had a great lunch at Basillico’s New York Deli. We were very happy to welcome three new walkers!
From Our May 6th, 2023, Walk on the Dalgren Railroad Heritage Trail
Twenty-two walkers had a wonderful morning walk on the Dalgren Railroad Heritage Trail in King George, VA. Starting around 9:30 a.m., some of us went 5K out and back; others continued on a little further for a total of about 8K. We went off trail .5 miles to look at some nice cabins owned by a brother of one our club members who walked with us. Walking there is a great way to get out in nature, and we highly recommend it. A highlight was seeing wild Lady Slipper Orchids along the way.
From Our April 23rd, 2023, “Spring into History” Traditional Walk in Fredericksburg, VA
We had a great day! Sixty-seven walkers took part in our club’s “Spring into History” one-day, traditional event. Walkers had perfect weather to walk either 7K or 12K around beautiful, historic Fredericksburg and Alum Spring Park. Sixteen of us had a good time walking together in the group walk. And we had a very happy winner of the REI hiking poles we raffled off! Many thanks to the volunteers and all who helped make this event happen – especially to Kay Shoemaker who planned these awesome walks – and to all the folks who came out to walk with us and made this event a great success. Finally, we’re so grateful to the Italian Station for once again letting us set up our start/finish tables at their wonderful establishment.
Also to note: Not only is Fredericksburg, VA, an area where major Civil War events played out, it also has been highlighted as part of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail of 1781 (for more info: https://w3r-us.org/). The AVA (America’s Walking Club) and this organization have joined together and now you can find where sanctioned walks have been designated across nine states and Wahington, D.C.; plus, you can order either National or Virginia logbooks to record your walks. Visit this page for more info: https://www.walkvirginia.org/wash-roch.
Our walks in Fredericksburg and surrounding region take us past many historical places and markers. Walking with us is a great way to learn more about events that shaped the America we live in today.
From April 8th, 2023, When We Joined the Bryan Park Welcome to Spring Traditional Walk in Richmond
On April 8th, 2023, nine FWC members traveled to Richmond and enjoyed a 4.3-mile walk, taking part in the Bryan Park Welcome to Spring Traditional Walk sponsored by the Lee Lepus Walking Club. We walked through beautiful neighborhoods and into Bryan Park, where vibrant azaleas and other flowers were making their spring appearance. A mile before the finish, we stopped and ate at Dot’s Back Inn, a local diner with good food. Many thanks to the members of Lee Lepus for hosting such a great event.
From our March 26th, 2023 Chancellorsville Battlefield walk:
We had a great turnout of 26 people on a very enjoyable 4+-mile walk on Chancellorsville Battlefield trails, led by club member Beth Hudson Stenstrom. Walking on our area’s numerous battlefields is a walk through history. We walked by the area where Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded by “friendly fire;” also by earthworks, the ruins of the Chancellor House, and the site of the Bullock House. There are many descriptive signs along the way, talking about events that happened during that battle. Afterwards, a bunch of us had a good time eating and talking at Harry’s Ale House.
From our March 12th, 2023 Ashland walk:
Sixteen walkers travelled to Ashland, VA to participate in one of our Year-Round-Event walks – a very nice turnout! Ashland is referred to as “the center of the universe” by locals, because it is located right in the middle of Hanover County. A very historic town, dating back to the 1840s, developed by the railroad as a mineral springs resort. We started at the visitor’s center/railroad station and walked a 5K around neighborhoods with beautiful houses, and through the Randolph-Macon college campus. A few walkers continued on to do the 10K. Afterwards, had a great lunch at the Iron Horse restaurant with good food and conversation!
From our February 18th, 2023 Warrenton walk:
Twenty-one walkers enjoyed a 6K walk in beautiful, historic Warrenton, VA – one of our Year-Round-Event walks. Club member and vice-president, Don Shockey, provided everyone with much interesting historical information along the way. Warrenton is named after Gen. James Warren, a Revolutionary War hero, and is a well-preserved town reflecting its historical role as an agricultural crossroads. Also along the walk is the post-Civil War home of Col., Mosby, the Gray Ghost. Afterwards, we had a great lunch at Molly’s Irish Pub.
From our Jan. 29th, 2023 England Run walk:
We had a great turnout of twenty people on this neighborhood walk. We met at Vinny’s Pizzaria off of Route 17 and Plantation Dr. in south Stafford and walked more than 3.5 miles on a trail and some sidewalks around the England Run neighborhood and surrounding areas. Afterwards many of us had lunch at Vinny’s and enjoyed good conversation and getting to know each other more – so happy to have new walkers join us!
From our Jan. 14th, 2023 Culpepper walk:
Despite the cold weather, we had a great turnout with 14 of us starting in historic downtown Culpepper at the Visitor’s Center/Museum and then walking to and around Yowell Meadow Park. We passed numerous historical markers and memorials as shown in the photos. Afterwards we warmed up with lunch at the Frost Cafe. Very enjoyable!
To see our Club walks from 2022, click the button below:
WALK ANYTIME!
We sponsor the following Seasonal and Year-Round Events (YREs) below that can be done any time the Start Point is open.
NEW SEASONAL WALK! Stafford, VA – Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve – AVA Online Start Box only. You will need to create an account and register for the walk: https://my.ava.org/signup.php. Walk Thursday – Sunday only, May 4th – October 29th. Opens at 8:00 a.m. Closes at 8:00 p.m. (or dusk). Raven Road Access: 81 Raven Rd., Stafford, VA 22554. Click here for more information.
YEAR-ROUND-EVENT – Fredericksburg, VA – First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield – more information – Spotsylvania County Museum (start point) open daily 9am to 5pm, except Thanksgiving, Dec. 24/25, and Jan 1. Currently no Online Start Box.
YEAR-ROUND-EVENT – Ashland, VA – Center of the Universe – more information – Visitor Center open daily, 10am to 4pm. Online Start Box available.
YEAR-ROUND-EVENT – Culpepper, VA – Historic Streetscapes – more information – Visitor Center is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10am-6pm. Online Start Box available.
YEAR-ROUND-EVENT – Fredericksburg, VA – Historic – more information – Visitor Center open daily, 10am to 4pm. Online Start Box available.
YEAR-ROUND-EVENT – Fredericksburg, VA – River Ramblers – more information – Visitor Center open daily, 10am to 4pm. Online Start Box available.
YEAR-ROUND-EVENT – Warrenton, VA – Brick Sidewalks – more information – Tuesday-Friday 10-2, Saturday 8:30-4:30. Online Start Box available.
Fredericksburg Walking Club 