The 29th Annual V3 (originally named for Venturing, Varsity, and Venture) Hike-o-ree will be held October 26-28, 2018, at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center, Front Royal, VA.  Registration is limited to trail capacities of the fifteen trails.  The Hike-o-ree is open to all Scout units including Venturing Crews, Sea Scout Ships and Boy Scout Troops.

Units are encouraged to form trail crews consisting of no more than twelve members, including at least two adults.  Participation minimum age is 13 years old as of January 1, 2019.

BSA units will need to comply with the Guide to Safe Scouting, etc., and meet the safety requirements therein. All BSA Scouts and Scouters that hike must bring a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (2014 edition), parts A, and B, and meet the weight limits on part C.

Trail crews will be assigned a hike based on the preferences indicated in their registration.  All hikes are approximately ten miles in length and range in difficulty from moderate (1500 foot change in elevation) to super strenuous (2600 foot change in elevation).   Other Hike-o-ree activities include a Friday night opening rally, a Saturday night High Adventure Rally, and a service project on Sunday morning.  Camping at the 4-H Center is BACKPACKING style using ONLY backpacking equipment.  Do not bring chuck boxes, coolers, Dutch ovens, propane tanks, camp lanterns, or lawn chairs!!!  Bring ONLY what you can carry in your backpack. Crews receive their Hike-o-ree t-shirts Saturday night.  

Registration on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS begins on September 1, 2018, on the BSA National Capital Area Council website.

Unit deposit is required to reserve a particular hike not later than October 6, 2018.  After you register for a hike and pay your deposit, you will be sent a confirmation email with the leader’s package and detailed information about the hike you have selected.

Because of the lead-time required to produce the t-shirts, the final date for submittal of number of shirts and sizes (small, medium, large, extra large, extra extra large)  is also October 6.  NO ADDITIONAL ORDERS CAN BE TAKEN AFTER THAT DATE.  Submit payment and shirt information online using this web page.

  The cost of the Hike-o-ree is $23.00 per participant.

Hikes are:

Hike #1 - White Oak/Cedar Run Canyon
Superstrenuous                    Elevation change:  3200 feet
Length:  9.7 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  42.9 miles          PATC Map:  10
This hike goes through two of the deepest and steepest ravines in the Shenandoah National Park.  Both canyons have waterfalls, cascades and high cliffs.

Hike #2 - Robertson Mountain
Superstrenuous                    Elevation change:  2884 feet
Length:  11.3 miles              Driving Distance (one way):  34.8 miles          PATC Map:  10
This trail follows a beautiful trout stream to an original mountaineer's cabin and finally over one of the least climbed mountains in the Shenandoah National Park.  If you want a challenge, climb Robertson Mountain from the east.

Hike #3 - Overall Run
Superstrenuous                    Elevation change:  2490 feet
Length:  9.5 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  15.6 miles          PATC Map:  9
This hike follows trails that were farm roads in pre-park days and gives access to the Overall Run Falls.  At 93 feet, it is the highest waterfall in the Shenandoah National Park.

Hike #4 - Little Devil's Stairs
Strenuous                              Elevation change:  2155 feet
Length:  10.2 miles              Driving Distance (one way):  26.1 miles          PATC Map:  9
Little Devil's Stairs Trail winds around and between the rocks in a canyon, crossing and recrossing Keyser Run many times.  Be sure to stop and visit a graveyard dating back to the early 1800s.

Hike #5 - Thorofare Mountain
Strenuous                              Elevation change:  2559 feet
Length:  9.5 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  34.8 miles          PATC Map:  10
This trail offers a waterfall, old farm roads that once connected the families in this area, two great swimming holes, and a restored mountaineer's cabin.

Hike #6 - Hazel Country
Strenuous                              Elevation change:  2467 feet
Length:  9.9 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  34.8 miles          PATC Map:  10
The mountaineer has been gone for 50 years, but the few old houses, which remain standing, old apple orchards, the lonely chimneys, and crude stone fences are evidence that he was here.

Hike #7 - Hazel Mountain
Strenuous                              Elevation change:  2365 feet
Length:  10.25 miles           Driving Distance (one way):  32 miles             PATC Map:  10
This hike takes you into one of the most remote areas of the Shenandoah National Park and is recommended for crews who are map and compass experts.  It offers a waterfall, a swimming hole and a cave.

Hike #8- Old Rag
Strenuous                              Elevation change:  2423 feet
Length:  9.0 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  35.0 miles          PATC Map:  10
If you have never climbed "Old Raggedy Top", now's the time.  This hike provides views in all directions, including a noble panorama of the mountains  of the Shenandoah National Park.

Hike #9 - Jeremy's Run
Moderate                              Elevation change:  2222 feet
Length:  10.0 miles              Driving Distance (one way):  35.0 miles          PATC Map:  9
Jeremy's Run is one of the most scenic streams in the Northern District of the Shenandoah National Park.  The trail is beautifully forested and the run itself is a continual series of cascades and pools.

Hike #10 - Signal Knob
Moderate                              Elevation change:  2770 feet
Length:  10.6 miles              Driving Distance (one way):  15.4 miles          PATC Map:  G
Signal Knob was used by the Confederate forces during the Civil War to monitor movement of Federal troops.  Excellent views are provided of the Shenandoah Valley.

Hike #11 - Thornton Hollow
Moderate                              Elevation change:  2384 feet
Length:  10.6 miles              Driving Distance (one way):  28.5 miles          PATC Map:  9
This hike gives the backpacker a taste of the Appalachian Trail.  It descends over Piney Ridge and climbs back up along the beautiful North Fork of the Thornton River.

Hike #12 – Piney Ridge/Piney Branch
Moderate                              Elevation change:  1650 feet
Length:  9.4 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  26.7 miles          PATC Map:   9
Walk along a ridge where homes and farmlands once stood and see a spectacular view of a three tier waterfall.  Offers two waterfalls and a deep swimming hole.

Hike #13- Big Devil’s Stairs Overlook
Moderate                              Elevation change:  1300 feet
Length:  10.5 miles              Driving Distance (one way):  12.2 miles          PATC Map:  9
This hike slabs around the eastern and southern slopes of Mount Marshall and provides a side trek to the east rim of Big Devil’s Stairs offering spectacular views of Big Devil’s Stairs canyon and the mountains beyond.

Hike #14 - Massanutten Mountain
Moderate                              Elevation change:  2237 feet
Length:  9.1 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  16.0 miles          PATC Map:  G
From the top of the ridge, there will be opportunities for superb views both east towards the mountains of the Shenandoah National Park and west into the Shenandoah Valley.

Hike #15 – Sugarloaf Trail
Moderate                              Elevation change:  1876 feet
Length:  9.3 miles                Driving Distance (one way):  25.4 miles          PATC Map: 9
This trail uses both the Appalachian Trail and horse and foot trails that were farm roads in the pre-park days.  It also offers two excellent viewing areas from the tops of Sugarloaf  and Hogback Mountains.