First Hike Fairfax Planned At Huntley Meadows, Other Parks On New Year's Day

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Ringing in the new year for some can be a chance to start fresh and make a new year's resolution. For those with health-minded resolutions, it doesn't hurt to start the year with a hike. First Hike Fairfax will return on Jan. 1 and 2.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will join America’s State Parks and Virginia State Parksto encourage residents to start the year with an outdoor hike. First Hike Fairfax is being held over two days to encourage social distancing on trails.

The event includes the First Hike Photo Contest with various prizes. To participate, visit any Fairfax County Park Authority trail. Take a photo and submit it to the park authority by Jan. 2 for a chance to win prizes. Images must be in JPG, JPEG or PNG format. Participants may be asked to verify if the photo was taken at a Fairfax County park.

Prizes will include:

• People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
• Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
• Directors Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $50 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (People): $50 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Wildlife): $50 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Pets): $50 Park Authority Gift Card

Check out the winners from 2021 here.

Don't know where to go for a hike? The park authority recommends five locations for family-friendly starter hikes. One of these is Huntley Meadows, which offers a wetland boardwalk trail accessible through the park entrance at 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA. The trail is approximately 2 miles for the entire loop. For the hike-bike trail at Huntley Meadows, enter at 6901 S. Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA.

Other recommended options are Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA), Cub Run Stream Valley Trail (4630 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA), Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA), and Lake Accotink CCT (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA).