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The clubs of the American Volkssport Association host over 1000 self-guided trails in the USA.  The walks go through a wide variety of areas, from National Parks to countryside to quaint towns to neighborhoods and cities.  Each year the walkers vote for the Top Ten Walks, without being allowed to vote for any in their own state.

1998

1. Washington DC Monuments.  Washington DC Area Club's description and directions.
2. West Point, New York.  Volkssport Club of West Point
3. Princeton Historical Walk, New Jersey.  Now sponsored by the Princeton Area Walkers
4. New York, NY midtown Manhattan. New York Year-Round Walks
5. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Falcon Wanderers | Walk Details
6. Savannah, Georgia.   Walk Details
7. St. Augustine, Florida   Walk Details
8. New York, NY Central Park.  New York Year-Round Walks
9. San Antonio Riverwalk, Texas.  Texas Wanderers
10. tie Carmel, California.   Walk Details
Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon.  Oregon Year-Round Walks

Photo Gallery

The Washington Monument is just one of the sights on the Washington DC Monuments Walk.  Also featured are the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol, White House and Vietnam Memorial.  The walk is flat and paved.  Start is at the Columbia Plaza Pharmacy, 516 - 23rd St., NW.  Photo by Kevin Shaw.

The Garden of the Gods walk near Colorado Springs, Colorado takes you into a stunning natural area of fantasy rock formations.  The start is at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post, 324 Beckers Lane.  It is rated moderate on trails and roads and is at an altitude of 6412 ft.  Photo by Wendy Bumgardner.

The San Antonio Riverwalk begins at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, 110 Lexington Ave.  It is a flat walk, all paved along the Riverwalk.  Great for sightseeing, shopping, eating.  Photo by Wendy Bumgardner, that's me on the left.  The photo is from the 1993 AVA Convention.

The Silver Falls Walk was the first hike of a mile or more I ever did, back when I was a kid.  This 7-mile trail winds through a canyon with nine waterfalls, including those you can walk behind.   It is moderately difficult due to the narrow trails.  The walk registration is at Roth Foodliner in Silverton, Oregon, from which you drive 14-miles to the State Park.    The trails were destroyed in a flood a couple of years ago but reopened in late 1997.  Photo by Wendy Bumgardner, showing Mom and Dad under the falls.

Another photo of Silver Falls, Oregon, by Wendy Bumgardner.  This trail was enough to get a whole family of couch potatoes out walking several times over the past three decades and remains a favorite for walkers from everywhere.

The Carmel, California walk visits Pt. Lobos State Park.  This stunning coastline is very photogenic.  Heed the warning signs in the park - all of the bushes you see are poison oak.   Do not touch any foliage. A great walk memorable for the views, sea lions and birds.   Then enjoy shopping in Carmel and more fun in Monterey.  Photo by Ruth McCoy.