West Walk                         East Walk
                    (Historic/Cultural)             (Waterfront/Historic)
                         6th Year                          2nd Year
                      Rating 1,  10K                    Rating 1, 10K
                        AT00/Y482                        AT00/Y1278

General Information: West Trail - Pass the grave of Benjamin Franklin, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, City Hall, various museums and the steps of the Art Museum, which the movie "Rocky" made famous (run up the steps if you can, although it not part of the walk) and much more. East Trail - Pass the Betsy Ross House, the waterfront with the USS Becuna & the Port Museum, the Vietnam Memorial, Italian Market, Independence Hall, the Chinese Gate, and others.

Trail: Easy walks on pavement. No significant hills. Can be walked with a child in a stroller. Handicapped persons would have little difficulty.

Start Point: Holiday Inn - Independence Mall, 4th and Arc Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106. (215) 923-8660.

Start Time: From 8:00 AM

Finish Time: Must be finished by dusk.

Procedures: At the start point, ask the registration desk for the Volksmarch Box. Read the directions included in the box for registration. Pick up a start card, map, directions, and carry pencil to record checkpoints. Groups should contact Joan Lampart or Cookie Loughran with special requests. We'll try to have someone there to meet you.

Award: West Walk: Philadelphia City Hall, shown on the award patch, was under construction for 30 years, was completed in 1901, and is the tallest all masonry (no steel) structure. Alexander Calder designed the statue of William. Penn (at the top) which is 37 ft. tall.

East Walk: The Benjamin Franklin Bridge depicted on the award patch is the most imposing structure along the waterfront route, and was completed in 1926. It is 1.81 miles long and the roadway is 135 tt. above the Delaware .River. Each award and credit is $6.00. IVV credit only is $2.00. This event is free to persons who wish to participate without receipt of award or WV credit. All are welcome.

Conditions: Pets are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. No littering, please. Walk during daylight hours only.

Contact Persons: West Walk - Joan (215) 529-5686. East Walk- Gene (215)663-1328 or Bill (215) 725-5991.

Directions: From PA Turnpike - Take Exit 24 - Valley Forge to Route 76 East to Route 676-East Exit. Take Route 676 E. to 8th St. - Independence Mall Exit. Off ramp to right, go to first traffic light at Race Street. Take a left and go four blocks to 4th Street. Take a right and go 1-1/2 blocks to Hotel entrance on right. From New Jersey Turnpike - Take Exit 4 to Route 73 North to Route 38 West. Follow Route 38 West to Route 30 West to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Cross bridge, take first right hand turn and follow around the sharp "U" turn down to 4th Street. Take a right on 4th Street and go 2-1/2 blocks to Hotel entrance on the right. From Route 95 Southbound or North bound -Take Exit 17 and follow signs for Historical Area Independence Mall. At bottom of ramp, take a right onto Callowhill Street, take a left and Hotel is 4 blocks on the right.

Please note: Parking garage is on the left side of the building, but there is a fee to park. Free parking is available on the street - on Sunday only.

General Information: This walk takes you along the tree lined sidewalks of Doylestown, which is the county seat ofBucks County. This county was the home of Pearl S. Buck, author and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winner. America's most famous living author, James A. Michener, was raised in Doylestown and continues to own property in the county. The homes along the trail are beautiful examples of the leading architecture covering several centuries. Most of the homes have gorgeous flower gardens.

Doylestown is the only U.S. town with two European style castles, both built in the early 1900's by the artistic genius, Henry C. Mercer. The trail goes past his mansion home, Font Hill, and his Mercer Museum, displaying Early American furnishings, folk art and implements. The trail also goes past his Moravian Tile Works and the Michener Art Museum. All these may be visited. Some have an entrance fee.

Trail: Suitable for strollers. Use of wheelchairs is not recommended since not all corners have "curb cuts".

Start Location: The Doylestown Inn, 18 West State Street, Doylestown, PA. The Doylestown Inn (est. 1920) is a genuine Inn, and the hospitality it provides represents a relaxed, comfortable haven for weary travelers. The Victorian style dining room serves a wide variety of sumptuous food. For over-night reservations, call (215) 345-6610.

Start Time: After DAWN

Finish Time: Must be finished by DUSK.

Procedures: Ask for the Volksmarch Box at the, lobby desk. Pets must be leashed. (Their droppings must be removed). No littering.

Award: As depicted to the left, the award consists of a sunburst pattern ceramic tile, fastened to a varnished birch plaque. The tile has been produced using Mercer's original process, and is marked and dated to identity it as such. The award and credit is $5. Credit only is $2.

Restrooms and Water: They are available at the Inn, the Mercer Museum and the Tile Works.

Contact Persons: Carol at (215) 343-2580. If you would like a guide/companion, call Dora at (215) 345-7732.

Directions: From East or West - Take the PA Turnpike to the Willow Grove Interchange (Exit # 27). Exit onto Route 611 North. Go 8.8 miles to where Route 611 forks. Take the right fork which becomes Main Street in Doylestown. Go to State Street and turn left. The start point, the Doylestown Inn, is 18 West State Street which is on the left.
From the South: Take 1-95 North. Just past city of Chester, take Route 476 North. At its northern end, 476 connects directly with 276 (PA Turnpike). Go EAST on Turnpike and follow directions above.

By Train: From the 30th Street, or Suburban or Market East regional rail line stations in Center City Philadeplhia, take the R5 line to Doylestown (end stop) and following the map, walk the several blocks to the start point.