GCW Year Round Events and RLDW
What
is a YRE?
A Year
Round Event (YRE) is a self-guided walk enjoyable every day of the year.
Walkers self register at the start points and take a route map. YREs are an excellent way to
accumulate credits for distance awards as they may be completed as often as
desired.
We often have Group Walks of the YREs. See the 2011 Calendar of Events for walks
listed with a YRE number.
Garden City Wanderers has
6 Year Round Events (#s 19, 22, 25, 29, 140 & 260) each with a
variety of different routes to choose from.
All YREs are eligible
for various Challenge Walk Programs. For descriptions of each of the Walk Program YREs go to the Volkssport Canada
website at CVF Special Programs.
Garden City Wanderers introduced a Round and
Long Distance Walk (RLDW) in 2009. The RLDW now consists of 8
routes – one 9 km route, six 10 km routes and one 11 km route for a total of 80 kilometres. You can then
claim an IVV distance stamp for the distance completed up to 80 km, plus one
IVV event stamp for every 20 km completed.
All walks start and
finish at the Broadmead Running/Walking Room. The walks may
be done all in one day or can take over a year to complete. Just
like a YRE, the RLDW can be done as often as you wish.
The fee for participating in the RLDW is just $5.
A
binder is now located in the Broadmead YRE Box so you can now self-register and
self-stamp. Items included in
the binder are:
Explanation sheets
for RLDW
Registration sheets
and Personal Registration Record Sheets
Envelopes for money
Walk Directions and
Maps for all routes
Sleeve for
returning Personal Registration Sheets
IVV Stamp
Details of all GCW YREs and RLDW
YRE 019 "Harbour Towers" Capital Cities Walk Program Scholar Walk Program Cenotaph Walk Program 
|
Location: START/FINISH POINT for
YRE 019 is at the
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites, 345 Quebec St., Victoria V8V 1W4
Directions: Approximately 2 blocks
west of the Parliament Buildings, only a few blocks from the centre of downtown
Victoria and one block from the Port Angeles ferries.
Directions from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and
Airport:
South on Hwy 17 (Blanshard St.), Right on Belleville, Left on Oswego to Quebec St.
Registration: This is a self
registration walk. The
registration box (aka " The Walk Box")
is in the main
entrance at the top of the stairs near the elevators.
Available daily.
Contact:
Brenda Waksel 778-350-0861 |
|
5 km
|
Beacon Hill
|
This walk features Beacon Hill Park and Cook Street Village.
Trail Rating is 1A.
|
|
5 km
|
James Bay
|
Walk around Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf and
James
Bay residential area.
Trail Rating is 1A.
|
|
10 km
|
Heritage Walk
|
A walk that highlights
many of Victoria’s heritage treasures.
The map includes descriptions of the historical sites along the route.
Trail Rating is 1B.
|
|
10 km
|
Beacon Hill
|
Walk around Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf and
through the James Bay residential area and Beacon Hill Park.
Trail Rating is 1B.
|
10 km |
Beacon Hill and Government House |
Another 5 km loop has been added to the Beacon Hill 5 km route to offer a 10k option. The added optional 5k loop goes through the
Gardens of Government House. Trail Rating is 1A
|
|
YRE 022
"Maritime Museum"
Lighthouse Walk Program
Brewery Walk Program |
Location: START/FINISH POINT for
YRE 022 is at the Maritime Museum, 28 Bastion Square, Victoria V8W 1H9
Directions: From the Swartz Bay Ferry
Terminal and Airport: South on Hwy 17 (Blanshard St.), Right on Yates St., Right on Government St. (Bastion Square is on the corner of View St. and Government
St.). Visit the Maritime Museum website for further
details at http://mmbc.bc.ca.
Registration: This is a self
registration walk. Please ask for the "Walk Box" at the front
desk. Daily: 10:00am-5:00pm (except Christmas Day). Phone museum to confirm opening hours and days - 250-385-4222
Contact:
Marg Tighe 250-595-0785 |
|
10/13 km
|
This walk from the Maritime Museum follows the waterfront
from the Inner Harbour to Macaulay Point
offering spectacular views of Victoria, Fisgard Lighthouse
and Strait of Juan de Fuca. There is an additional 3 km loop
from Macaulay Point to Saxe Point.
Trail rating is 2B.
|
|
YRE 025
"Harbour Towers"
Brewery Walk Program
Cenotaph Walk Program |
Location: START/FINISH POINT for
YRE #25 is at the Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites, 345 Quebec St., Victoria V8V 1W4
Directions: Approximately 2 blocks
west of the Parliament Buildings, only a few blocks from the centre of downtown
Victoria and one block from the Port Angeles ferries.
Directions from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and
Airport: South on Hwy 17 (Blanshard St.), Right on Belleville, Left on Oswego to Quebec St.
Registration: This is a self
registration walk. The registration box (aka " The Walk Box")
is in the main entrance at the top of the stairs near the elevators.
Available daily.
Contact:
Brenda Waksel 778-350-0861 |
|
10 km
|
The Gorge Walk
|
Walk from Victoria to the Vic West area,
over the Selkirk Trestle and along the Gorge waterway.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
|
10/15 km
|
Songhees
|
This walk follows the
waterway around the Inner Harbour from Victoria to Esquimalt. The 15 km goes through
Esquimalt to Saxe Point.
Trail Rating is 1B.
|
|
5 km
|
Songhees
|
This walk follows the
waterway around the Inner Harbour from Victoria to Delta Inn and back.
Trail Rating is 1A.
|
|
YRE 029
"Henderson"
Scholar Walk Program |
Location: START/FINISH POINT for
YRE #29 is at the Henderson Centre at Henderson Park,
2291 Cedar Hill X Road, Oak Bay V8P 5H9
Directions: From downtown Victoria
take Fort St, Left on Foul Bay Rd, Right on Cedar Hill X-Rd,
The Rec Centre is a short distance on the right.
Registration: This is a self
registration event. Please ask for the "Walk Box" at the front
desk.
Mon - Fri 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sat - Sun 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Check with Centre - 250-370-7200
Contact:
Evelyn Barrigar 250-370-0153 |
|
5 km
|
Camosun Walk
|
Stroll through the North Oak Bay residential area and
the Camosun College Lansdowne Campus.
Trail Rating is 1A.
|
|
5 km
|
UVic Walk
|
An interesting walk through the gorgeous gardens, wooded trails
and the centre of the University of Victoria campus.
Trail Rating is 1B.
|
|
10 km
|
Uplands
|
This mostly paved route
is by way of some of Victoria’s most attractive
residential areas with some water views.
Trail Rating is 2A.
|
|
10 km
|
Mount Tolmie
|
A more challenging
walk, going on the University of Victoria grounds, along
residential streets, and up 1 km to the top of Mount Tolmie for a panoramic view
of the city.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
|
YRE 140
"Pearkes"
Scholar Walk Program |
Location:
START/FINISH POINT for YRE #140 is at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Road, Victoria V9A 6T2.
Directions: Heading north from Victoria on Highway 1, turn left
on to Tillicum Road. The Pearkes
Centre is at the rear of the Tillicum Shopping Centre, off Arena Rd.
Registration: This is a self
registration event. Please ask for the "Walk Box" at the
front desk.
Mon-Fri 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat-Sun: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
May be closed on statutory holidays. Call 250-475-5400 for confirmation
of hours.
Contact:
John Lewis 250-665-6062 |
|
6/10 km
|
The Gorge (Route A) |
The walk leaves from the Pearkes Centre, following the Colquitz River to the scenic Gorge,
finishing through tranquil Cuthbert Holmes Park.
Trail Rating is 1B/2B.
|
10 km |
Swan Lake
(Route B) |
This walk follows creeks
and trails to Christmas Hill Park and returns through Swan Lake Nature Reserve.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
5/10 km |
The Gorge (Route C) |
This
walk also goes to the Gorge and explores the other side, including Gorge Park, and returns via the
Selkirk Trestle and the Galloping Goose Trail.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
|
YRE 260
"Broadmead"
Scholar Walk Program |
Location: START/FINISH POINT
for YRE #260 is at The Running Room/Walking Room that is located
at #305 Broadmead Shopping Centre, 777 Royal Oak Drive (V8X 4V1). V8X 4V1
Directions: From downtown Victoria
take Blanshard St which becomes Vernon Ave, and then Patricia Bay Hwy (#17). Turn right on
Royal Oak Dr.
Registration: This is a self
registration event.
Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Closed on major holidays. Call store to confirm hours 250-881-1051
Contact:
Marion Davidson 250-477-9851 |
|
5 km
|
Rithet Bog
|
A scenic walk on chip trails around Rithet Bog, a bird sanctuary,
and on lovely treed streets of the Broadmead residential area.
Trail rating is 2B.
|
|
5 km
|
Royal Oak
|
A pleasant walk along the trails and residential streets of the Royal Oak area.
Trail rating is 2B.
|
|
10 km
|
Blenkinsop Lake
|
Enjoy a walk thru
trails, parks, residential streets and over the restored Blenkinsop trestle
bridge.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
|
10 km
|
Colquitz Creek
|
A scenic walk on chip
trails along Colquitz Creek.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
|
RLDW #4
|
Location: START/FINISH POINT for all segments of the RLDW #4
is at The Running Room/Walking Room that is located at #305 Broadmead
Shopping Centre, 777 Royal Oak Drive (V8X 4V1).
Directions: From downtown Victoria
take Blanshard St which becomes Vernon Ave, and then Patricia Bay Hwy (#17). Turn right on
Royal Oak Dr.
Registration: This is a self
registration event.
Mon-Fri 9:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Closed on major holidays. Call store to confirm hours 250-881-1051
Contact:
Brenda Waksel 778-350-0861 |
|
#1 10 km
|
Cordova Bay Ridge
|
Offers views of the San Juan Islands
and Mt. Baker. After climbing the first part of the walk it is a relatively flat walk
including a wander through Matticks Farm.
Trail rating is 2B.
|
|
#2 10 km
|
Royal Oak
|
Takes you through the
trails on the outer edges of the Royal Oak Cemetery
then along beautiful residential roads to Elk Lake.
Trail rating is 3C.
|
|
#3 11 km
|
Swan Lake
|
Takes you around Swan Lake, a
birding area, and over Christmas Hill for views of Victoria.
There are a few climbs on this walk. Please, no dogs.
Trail Rating is 3B.
|
|
#4 10 km
|
Broadmead Trails
|
Takes you on many of the
trails and streets of the Broadmead area.
Trail Rating is 2B.
|
#5
10
km |
Glendale
Trails |
Visits several bird
watching areas. Please, no dogs on this route.
|
#6
10
km |
Colqutz
River
Trail |
Follows the creek along
wide trails and residential streets.
|
#7
10
km |
Mount
Douglas
Park |
Takes you on the lower
trail around Mt. Doug, along the connector trail to Lochside Trail.
Trail Rating is 2B. | #8
9 km | Outerbridge Park | Trail rating is 2B |
|
The other two Victoria Volkssport clubs also have several YREs. Go to the websites of Juan de Fuca Pathfinders and Victoria 'Y' Volkssport Club for details.
|
Last updated 11th November 2011
