The second Annual John F. Kennedy Hike will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024, beginning at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA starting at 12 noon.  No formal pre-registration is required.  

This hike is open to all youth and adults who are part of any Scouting unit and is open to all faiths and traditions. There is no minimum age to participate; hikers should be prepared to hike approximately three and a half miles in an urban environment with appropriate water, footwear and clothing depending on weather. There is no registration or cost required to participate in the hike. 

The John F. Kennedy  Hike is sponsored by the Washington, DC District and facilitated by members of the Archdiocese of Washington's Catholic Committee on Scouting, and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. 

The hike follows the path taken when President Kennedy was laid to rest in 1963.  The hike begins at the Eternal Flame.  After a period of reverence and reflection, the Hike will depart around 12:15 pm and follow a path across the Memorial Bridge, past the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, and other landmarks, and ends at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle near Dupont Circle. The Cathedral is where the funeral Mass was held on November 25, 1963. 

Upon completion of the hike, all participants will receive a commemorative patch.  There will also be a guided tour of the Cathedral for those interested in learning more about the history, art, and architecture of one of Washington, DC’s historic places of worship. 

Getting There

• Public Transit:  The John F. Kennedy Hike begins near the Arlington Metro stop on the Blue Line and ends near the Farragut West Metro stop on the Red Line.  Participants can easily walk from/to such Metro stations to the Hike’s start and end points. 
• Driving and Parking:  Public parking is available at Arlington National Cemetery.  The ANC parking facility is located at the main Memorial Avenue entrance, next to the Welcome Center.  Parking is $3/hour with a maximum of $12/day. 
• Timing/Security:  Please budget time to park (if driving) and be aware that all persons must pass through a security checkpoint regardless of how they arrive to ANC, so plan accordingly.