We are primarily a volkswalking club, but at times may offer swimming, skating, biking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. We sponsor several types of walking events each year to share our historical landmarks, beautiful parks and neighborhoods, and many interesting communities. Events are not competitive and times are not kept.
Most walks are 10k (6.2 miles) with 5k (3.1 miles) options. Each walk has a starting point where you sign-in for the walk, stamp your achievement books, and pickup a map with instructions. If you are tracking your achievements (credit walker) there is a nominal fee for each walk. If you are not tracking your achievements (non-credit walker) the walks are free but donations are accepted.
Hosted Walks: are 1 or 2 day walking events with specific start and end times, which can be done at your own pace.
Self-Guided Walks: are Year-round or Seasonal 10k and 5k walks guided by maps and written instructions during daylight hours most days of the week. You can walk at your own time and pace.
Group Walks: are Year-round or Seasonal 10k and 5k walks starting at a specified day and time with a leader to guide participants using one of the many self guided walks in the Portland/Vancouver area followed by a group lunch at a neighborhood restaurant.
Trail Ratings (revised as of January 2012)
Each walk is rated to help determine the difficulty of the walk, trails are
evaluated based on the degree of incline (part 1) and the terrain (part 2).
Incline 1: Very small hills or very little stair climbing. Probably suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Elevation gain: up to 500 feet
Incline 2: Some moderate hills and stair climbing. Probably suitable for strollers. May not be suitable for wheelchairs. Elevation gain: 500-1500 feet
Incline 3: Some significant hill or stair climbing. Not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Elevation gain: 1500-2500 feet
Incline 4: Lots of significant hills or stair climbing. Elevation gain: 2500-3500 feet
Incline 5: Many steep hills. Elevation gain: more than 3500 feet
Terrain A: Almost entirely on pavement. Probably suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Terrain B: A significant part of the route is on well-groomed trails with very few obstacles. Probably suitable for strollers. May not be suitable for wheelchairs.
Terrain C: A significant part of the route is on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky/rooted paths or soft sand). Not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs
Terrain D: A significant part of the route is on very difficult terrain
Terrain E: The majority of the route is on very difficult terrain
Examples:
A route that is mostly on flat pavement would be rated 1A
A beach walk would be rated 1C
A route with moderate hills on well-groomed trails would be rated 2B
Volkssporting is a great addition to your regular fitness routine. It's a great way to explore new places, in your own community or communities all over the world. It's also a great way to meet new friends and hang out with old friends. The promise of fitness gets you started but the friends keep you coming back for more.
Volkswalking - Off the Beaten Path video
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If the above Volkswalking video did not work for you,
click here.
Volkswalking - A Family Affair video
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If the above Volkswalking video did not work for you,
click here.
For an extra challenge, credit walkers can get special event program books where they can earn credit for completing AVA walks that fit special classifications, for example, All 50 State Capitals and Washington, D.C., America's Baseball, Carnegie Libraries, etc. We have indicated the Special Classifications (Challenges) that each of our walks qualify for to the best of our knowledge.
For more information about Special Event Program Challenges see below:
In the Portland – Vancouver metro area there is normally a hosted walking event(s) or group walking event sponsored by some club every weekend. There are also more than 50 Year-Round events that can be walked at any time. Every Wednesday a group does one of the YRE’s and then goes to lunch after the walk. All are welcome to attend. You can find a list of upcoming walking events in Oregon and SW Washington and subscribe to the Walk Oregon email list at
www.walkoregon.org.
We are a member of the Evergreen State Volkssport Association (ESVA), the American Volkssport Association (AVA), and the Internationaler Volkssport Verband (IVV), the international parent organization.
Vancouver USA Volkssporters PO Box 2121 Vancouver WA 98668-2121
