We hope you enjoyed the 2022 holiday season. Our annual downtown Historic Fredericksburg Holiday Walk held on December 17th was a great success with 54 walkers participating! Thanks to all who helped make it happen.

From our November 19th, 2022 walk:

Ten of us had a great time walking 3.5 miles on the Fredericksburg Canal Path/Rappahannock River Heritage Trail loop, with a side jaunt to the Cossey Botanical Park. It was chilly, but the sun was bright and warmed us up. Happy to welcome three new club and AVA members!

From our October 29th, 2022 walk:

We had a great 3.5-mile walk beginning and ending in beautiful Alum Spring Park in Fredericksburg. After leaving the park, we headed towards downtown Fredericksburg until we reached historic Sunken Road, where the Battle of Fredericksburg took place. We continued onto the nicely paved Virginia Central Railway Trail (VCR) that goes back to Alum Spring Park. Another beautiful fall morning, and we were happy to welcome more new members!

From our October 22nd, 2022 walk:

We had a great four-mile walk starting in Pratt Park in Fredericksburg, following a trail that took us across the new Chatham Bridge into downtown, walking on the charming Sophia and Caroline Streets before heading back. It was a beautiful morning.

From Our September 10th, 2022 Walk:

On September 10th we walked 3.5 miles through parts of St. Clair Brooks and Pratt Parks in Fredericksburg, with the highlight being walking around the beautiful grounds of historic Chatham Manor.

On the evening of September 19th, 2022 . . .

. . . We went on our club’s downtown Historic Fredericksburg walk, a Year-Round Event (volksmarch) sanctioned by the American Volksmarch Association (AVA*). It was very enjoyable especially because several walkers knew the history of some of the houses and buildings we saw.

You can also find out what’s happening by joining our Fredericksburg Walking Club Facebook group. Just do a search and you’ll find us.

Walks From Spring 2022

The Fredericksburg Walking Club joined the Northern VA Volksmarchers’ sponsored walk at Vint Hill, Warrenton, VA on May 21st, 2022.

The walk started at Old Bust Head Brewing Co., 7134 Farm Station Rd., Vint Hill/Warrenton, VA.

Six of us from the Fredericksburg Walking Club met at 9:00 a.m. and walked an enjoyable 5K – despite it being a 90+ degree day. It was too hot to take on the 10K! Afterwards, we had a very nice lunch at the Cafe. The Vint Hill area is so interesting historically:

Originally rural farmland where cattle and sheep were raised, Vint Hill’s purpose changed dramatically in 1942. Farmers noticed that they were intercepting German messages on their radios and contacted the U.S. Army. It turned out that the land sits on a rare geological formation that serves as a long-range antenna, and the messages were from Berlin. The Army purchased the land and the country’s newest listening post was born. After World War II, Vint Hill Farms Station served as a training outpost for cryptanalysts and radio operators. It closed in the 1990s and today is known for great food, local beer, and entertainment. After lunch, some of us visited the Old Bust Head Brewery, the Cold War Museum, and the Vint Hill Craft Winery. All in all, a great day!

* For more information about the American Volkssport Association (AVA): https://ava.org/

Our Traditional Dalgren Rails to Trails walk on May 1st, 2022 was a success!

Over forty people joined us for a self-guided or group walk on the Dalgren Heritage Trail in King Georg, VA, walking 5K, 13K, or any distance they preferred. The trail is through 240 acres of preserved land and is clear because most of the historic railroad ties have been removed. The natural surface is even and good for walking, hiking, biking, and running. The first four miles are particularly well-used, maintained, and are suitable for strollers and children. We offered brats and hot dogs that could be topped with member Kay Shoemaker’s delicious sauerkraut, plus chips, cookies, and water. AVA/IVV credit was available for $3.00.

For more information about the Dahlgren Heritage Trail – https://www.dahlgrentrail.org/

We celebrated National Walking Week on Sunday, April 3rd by walking The First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield Trail in Spotsylvania, VA – one of our new Seasonal Events. Click here for more information.

We had a great turnout on a beautiful morning! The start point was the Spotsylvania County First Day of Chancellorsville Visitor Center/Museum. Walkers had a choice of a 5-, 8-, or 10K trail. The trail winds through 215 acres of fields where the battle took place and is mostly grass or gravel with a few hills. There’s also a short walking distance (paved) through a housing development. On the trail are twelve historic markers, as well as several monuments.

For more information about The First Day of Chancellorsville Trail: https://www.battlefields.org/visit/battlefields/chancellorsville-battlefield