Mar 10 2009
The clubs of the American Volkssport Association host over 1400 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. We polled walkers for their favorites from 2005.
1. Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii
This walk takes you up a 99-step staircase and through a long tunnel to the lookout at the top of Diamond Head for a spectacular view. Sanction YR0523.Club Site and Details
Counts for: Lighthouse USA Walk Program
Travel: Hawaii for Visitors
2. Grand Canyon, Arizona
Breathtaking - the view and the 7000 ft. altitude. This walk is on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, through Grand Canyon Village with shops and historic information, with an alternate trail to Yavapai Point. Sanction YR1376.Walk Details | Club Site
Counts for: National Heritage Walk | Riverwalk America
Travel: Grand Canyon Travel
3. Point Lobos State Reserve - Carmel, California
The stunning Central California coastline is very photogenic as you walk through pine and cypress coves along the rocky coastline. 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. Sanction YR445.Walk Details
Counts for: California Golden Heritage Walk
4. Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon
My personal all-time favorite, enjoy views of many waterfalls and lush forest, including an extension to walk behind South Falls. Open April 15 - Nov. 15. Sanction YR0171.Walk Details]
5. Beaufort, South Carolina
Walk through a classic old Southern port city with beautiful homes, quaint downtown and picturesque waterfront. Register at the Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, 1106 Carteret St. Sanction YR0327.Walk Details
Counts for: National Heritage Walk | Civil War Walk | College Campus Walk
6. Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii
Enjoy walking along the sandy beach of Waikiki, past teh Ala Wai Canal and through Kapioloani Park. Sanction YR0166.Club Site and Details
Travel: Hawaii for Visitors
7. Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York
This walk got votes both from native New Yorkers and from tourists. It takes you to Ground Zero, Wall Street, and on the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as undiscovered treasures along the waterfront. Sanction YR0315.Club Site | More New York Walks
Counts for: US Presidents Walk Program | Lighthouse USA | Revolutionary War Walk
Travel: NYC for Visitors
8. Washington DC Monuments Walk
Walk through the monuments - Lincoln Memorial. Washington Monument, Roosevelt Memorial, Capitol, White House, and Vietnam Memorial on an easy 11 kilometer (7 mile) trail. Add in an optional loop of another 6 kilometers to see the Supreme Court, Union Station, and the National Archives. Sanction YR0231.Walk Review | Walk Details
Counts for: Civil War Walk | National Heritage Walk | 50 States-51 Capitals Program | US Presidents Walk Program
Travel: DC for Visitors
9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
National Treasure fans will love this walk past Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Delaward River waterfront and all of the other great historical sights and sites of Philly. Sanction YR1278.Walk Details
Counts for: US Presidents Walk Program | Riverwalk America | Revolutionary War Walk
Travel: Philadelphia
10. Edmonds, Washington
Edmonds is a lovely old beach town on Puget Sound, and you can watch the big ferries come and go as you explore. Sanction YR1909.Walk Details
