SELF-GUIDED YEAR ROUND AND MID-SEASONAL WALK EVENTS

Baille Ard Nature Trail, CBRM, Sydney, NS

YEAR ROUND AND SEASONAL WALK EVENTS:

The Island Hoppers as well as other Volkssport clubs provide self-guided walks, sometimes called 'Year-round' or 'Seasonal' walks that are available to be done whenever you have the time and/or the inclination.

These YRE's, as they are known, are also found in every province, all 50 states, and many countries around the world; so you could, if you wish, incorporate them into your vacation plans.

Indeed, many volksmarchers plan their vacations around walking events in areas they have not yet visited.

There are five (5) ‘Year Round/Seasonal Walk Events.

The Start Points are located in the following areas:

Baddeck, Telegraph House Motel, 479 Chebucto St., B0E 1B0 - Mid-Seasonal Event & lighthouse walk

Louisbourg, Peck’s Convenience Store, 2 Wolfe St., B1C 2J2 - Mid Seasonal Event & lighthouse walk

North Sydney, Clansman Motel, 9 Baird St., B2A 3M2 - YRE

Glace Bay, CO-OP Gas Bar, 99 Reserve St., B1A 4W3 - Mid-Seasonal Event

Sydney, Cambridge Suites Hotel, 380 Esplanade, B1P 1B1- YRE

Sydney Year Round Event CVF- 59 Dock and Walk

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Sydney Year Round Event CVF- 59

(A Cenotaph War Memorial Walk Event)

A Dock and Walk Program Event

The directions for this walk event are modified to assist volkssporters/walkers who just happen to be on a cruise and want to participate in a local YRE (Year Round Event) walk that is nearby at a port of calling for their ship.

The Sydney YRE now qualifies for this event as our original route directions enter the cruise ship pavilion area and the walkers can proceed to the original Start Point to stamp their books.

There is no special stamp or award for the Walk and Dock Program.

Cruise Ships arriving in Sydney Harbour are normally docked at the Joan Harris Pavilion.

1. Starting at the “big fiddle”, located on the west side of the terminal, follow the road up the hill and note the path leading to the right and follow it until it becomes a gravel road and parking lot. Cross the parking lot area, angling to your right, and enter the boardwalk. Follow the boardwalk for about 400 metres to the flagpole in front of the Civic Centre. Turn LEFT at the flagpole,go up the hill to the Esplanade, turn RIGHT and an immediate RIGHT into the driveway of the Cambridge Suites.

2. Enter the hotel and ask for the “walk box”, sign the register and stamp your books. From the front door of the Cambridge Suites, turn RIGHT, and follow the Esplanade for about a block and a half to Townsend St. (The fire hall is on your right). Cross the street leading to the fire hall, then turn LEFT and cross the Esplanade, following Townsend St. for one block to Charlotte St.

3. Turn RIGHT onto Charlotte, and follow for a little more than a block, until you come to Wentworth Park. Enter the park at the water fountain entrance and turn LEFT, there is a “War Memorial” located on your left; continue on the path towards Bentinck St. Turn RIGHT on Bentinck and continue to the railroad tracks. Cross the tracks and turn LEFT, following Crescent St. Until you arrive at Argyle St.(There is a band shell in the park to your left.) Turn LEFT onto Argyle, and follow it to the end, about 100 metres. Turn RIGHT and walk about fifty metres to the SECOND traffic light. Using the push button on the traffic light standard, cross George St. on to Cottage Road. You will now follow Cottage Road for about 1.5kms, until it forks. Stay on the sidewalk and take the RIGHT fork, following what is now Champlain St.

4. About four or five blocks along Champlain, the sidewalk ends at Kennedy Ave. After looking carefully to ensure no traffic is coming, cross Champlain/Kennedy intersection diagonally, so you are still proceeding in the same direction, but now on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. You will continue for about another 500 metres or so until you come to a stop sign at the end of Champlain Ave. and the intersection of Cottage Rd. go across the street (Cottage Rd.) to the sidewalk, turn LEFT going down the hill.

Note: the next 2.6km of the route is through woodland that is not recommended for wheelchairs; however, baby strollers should not have major difficulties following it. Persons using wheelchairs should omit this section and follow the alternate section where marked.

5. Between house no. 591 and 581, there is a lane leading into the woods. Turn RIGHT and follow the lane to a small clearing. This is one of the entrances to the Baille Ard trail. You will note on the map in front of you that the perimeter trail, shown in red, covers a distance of 2600 metres. Standing facing the map, turn approximately 90 to the RIGHT, and follow the trail. About 150 metres along the trail, you will see ahead what looks like a gate; just before the gate, turn LEFT, and continue along inside the park area.

6. When you arrive at the rustic bridge crossing a small brook, cross the bridge, and turn RIGHT, crossing the dirt bike trail and continue along the trail through the woods. You will follow a curving path, which will eventually bring you back to the same dirt bike track, which you will cross again, and re-enter the park area. Immediately, turn RIGHT and cross a concrete bridge with red pipe rails. Continue along the path, following the stream. You will soon arrive at another entrance to the trail area, from behind Sherwood Park Education Centre. Do NOT cross the concrete bridge with red pipe rails, but rather continue straight ahead. You are now on the last section of the trail, and in about 5 or 10 minutes will arrive once again at the point where you entered. Turn RIGHT and exit the trail area, back to Cottage Rd.

7. Turn RIGHT at Cottage Rd., and follow it to its end at George St., a distance of some 1.5km. At the lights at George St., turn RIGHT, and follow George St. back into the downtown area. As you walk along, you might want to try your luck in Sydney’s casino, or perhaps partake of some refreshment at the Tim Horton’s coffee shop. Continue along George St., passing the traffic lights at Prince and Dorchester Streets. (Across the street is Branch 12 of the Royal Canadian Legion and it's “Cenotaph”). Just after Dorchester St., you will walk past the Lyceum, formerly a Sydney theatre, and the Old Sydney Society museum. **Note: Up ahead on your left, you will see a large stone building, the convent of the Congregation of Notre Dame, a teaching order. Go past the convent, and turn LEFT onto York St. Two blocks takes you back to the Esplanade. Turn LEFT on the Esplanade, at St Patrick's Church, turn RIGHT and cross the Esplanade, using the crosswalk. Go down the access road into the Sydney Marine Terminal.

**Note: For those who did not follow the Baille Ard walking trail, instead of crossing George St. after the convent, continue to the very end of George St. (There’s a flashing red light at the tank farm there.) Follow the road around to the LEFT, keeping the tank farm on your right. When you come back to the Harbour, you are back on the Esplanade; follow it until you are opposite the main entrance to the Sydney Marine Terminal.

8. Walk down to the terminal, Joan Harris Pavilion, and around The Worlds Largest Fiddle; visit the shops and exhibitions provided for our visitors.

Note: Due to recent changes (2007) to international security rules admittance to the Sydney Terminal maybe restricted when there is a cruise ship at the dock .We apologize for any inconvenience to our walking visitors who may encounter this problem during your tour of Sydney.

Thank you for your participation in the Sydney Year Round Walk Event CVF-59, Dock and Walk Program.

LOUISBOURG LIGHTHOUSE YEAR ROUND WALK EVENT

The Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club
CVF Lighthouse Walk
Cenotaph Walk Event
Mid-Seasonal 05 May - 28 Oct

Pecks Convenience Store
Louisbourg, NS
2 Wolfe St.
Distance: 10 km

Follow the crosswalk located in front of Pecks Store and turn to the left, and continue forward along Main St.
Turn right at the Canadian Legion located on Main and Strathcona St., the legion’s Cenotaph is on the left of Strathcona St.
Continue down Strathcona towards the water and turn left on Commercial St. and continue left up Aberdeen St.
On Aberdeen Street there is an Elizabethan style theatre, stop in and pick up information on The Louisbourg Playhouse.
Continue to Main Street and turn right following the sidewalk to Havenside Road.
Bear to the right, and proceed with caution, as there are no sidewalks on Havenside Road after the Canadian Post mailboxes.
Havenside is a paved narrow winding road, please stay to the left and be aware of traffic such as tour buses and tourist who are unsure of the road.
Please be advised that National Historic Properties begin on or near the gravel road that is a continuation of Havenside therefore all hikers and vehicle operators are subject to National Park rules & regulations.
Continue on Havenside for a distance of 2.3 km; on your right is a small park, Kennelly Point, with toilets and picnic tables.
Enter the park, take a break and enjoy the great view of Fortress Louisbourg and the harbour.
After exiting the park turn right and continue a distance of 1km to the Lighthouse.
Please use caution and read the signs posted in the area.
For the return trip retrace your steps back to the corner of Havenside and Main, the Sydney and Louisbourg Railroad Museum.

Note: This is an optional part of the walk. On your right is the S&L Railroad Museum, a pleasant rest area and a great place for the railroad enthusiasts, please use caution when crossing the street in this area. There is no crosswalk in the immediate area of the museum at this time.

From the railroad museum or from the corner of Havenside & Main continue through the business area of Louisburg, where there are restaurants, gift shops, B&B’s and motels, return back to Pecks Store on Wolfe St.
Thank you for participating in this event and we hope you have enjoyed this unique Lighthouse walk.

NOTE: A new 2.5 Km loop has been added to the Community Coastal Trail as of 2009 and is located at the end of the parking lot at the lighthouse. CBIH will offer this additional loop in 2010 for the CVF sanctioned walk event.

Contact(s): bretonhoppers@hotmail.com or joeandelsie@ns.sympatico.ca

Shirley Pettigrew Rollie Coombes Joe MacKinnon
Phone: 737-1006 849-0747 562-3117

NORTH SYDNEY YEAR ROUND WALKEVENT

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club
North Sydney Year Round Event
Start/Finish: Clansman Motel, Peppett St.
Distance: 10k, Trail Rating: 2 A

Walk # 1
Depart the Clansman Motel, turn right, and continue straight ahead to Baird St., then Left at Brook St. and right at High St.
At the Corner of High and Regent, turn right and follow Regent, the County Exhibition Grounds will be on your right.
At the end of Regent go left following Musgrave Lane, this is the town boundary line and for a short distance you will be walking parallel to Hwy 125.
Follow Musgrave Lane through some farmlands and wooded areas; eventually there will be a steep decline in the road it then crosses over a R/R track; at the stop sign use the cross walk and then turn right, slightly to the right and across the street is Munroe Park, a good area for a short break, take a stroll along the board walk with the daily walkers.
Departing Munroe Park, cross the street and turn right, following Queen St.; along Queen you will note many large homes and some have been converted into, B&B’s; there is also a nice panoramic view of Sydney Harbour. Continue to the corner of Queen and Peppett, continuing straight (this is the end of Queen St.) you are now entering Commercial Street the "downtown" area of North Sydney.
At the corner of Commercial & Archibald turn right and enter Archibald Wharf and board walk area. This is a pleasant little diversion with a few boutiques and public washrooms (seasonal) on the water side; now follow the exit to the right and as you depart the area you will see the North Sydney Museum on the left; you may want to spend a few minutes here as well.
Go back up on to Commercial St., crossing the street, turn right and continue to Blower St. Turn left at the corner of Commercial & Blowers St., on this corner is the Pedestrian Entrance to Marine Atlantic, the Ferry to Newfoundland, which makes North Sydney the ‘Gateway to Newfoundland’
Continue up Blowers St., (across the street on your right is a Tim Horton’s coffee shop) continue straight at the traffic lights and at the next corner turn left on Pierce St.
Follow Pierce St. to the corner of Peppett and then turn right, following Peppett to High St.; turn right, on too High St. to another Tim Horton’s; at the corner of High and King Streets turn left and continue straight up the hill following the worn grass path between the shopping centre parking lot and King St., use caution at the entrances of mall. There are several Restaurants in this area plus a pleasant dining room at The Clansman Motel, where you started.
Continue your walk up the hill to the corner of King, Peppett and the EXITS of Hwy 125; Turn Left at Peppett St. and on the right is The Clansman Motel.
See alternate route using a portion of The Trans Canada Trail: Old Branch Road, Walk

SYDNEY YEAR ROUND WALK EVENT 10K

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club

Sydney Year Round Event CVF- 59
(A Cenotaph War Memorial Walk Event)

Please see the notes at the end of these instructions concerning walking this route when there is snow on the ground.
1.From the front door of the Cambridge Suites, turn RIGHT, and follow the Esplanade for about a block and a half to Townsend St. (The fire hall is on your right). Cross the street leading to the fire hall, then turn LEFT and cross the Esplanade, following Townsend St. for one block to Charlotte St.

2.Turn RIGHT onto Charlotte, and follow for a little more than a block, until you come to Wentworth Park. Enter the park at the water fountain entrance and turn LEFT, there is a “War Memorial” located on your left; continue on the path towards Bentinck St. Turn RIGHT on Bentinck and continue to the railroad tracks. Cross the tracks and turn LEFT, following Crescent St. Until you arrive at Argyle St.(There is a band shell in the park to your left.) Turn LEFT onto Argyle, and follow it to the end, about 100 metres. Turn RIGHT and walk about fifty metres to the SECOND traffic light. Using the push button on the traffic light standard, cross George St. on to Cottage Road. You will now follow Cottage Road for about 1.5kms, until it forks. Stay on the sidewalk and take the RIGHT fork, following what is now Champlain St.


3.About four or five blocks along Champlain, the sidewalk ends at Kennedy Ave. After looking carefully to ensure no traffic is coming, cross Champlain/Kennedy intersection diagonally, so you are still proceeding in the same direction, but now on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. You will continue for about another 500 metres or so until you come to a stop sign at the end of Champlain Ave. and the intersection of Cottage Rd. go across the street (Cottage Rd.) to the sidewalk, turn LEFT going down the hill.

Note: the next 2.6km of the route is through woodland that is not recommended for wheelchairs; however, baby strollers should not have major difficulties following it. Persons using wheelchairs should omit this section and follow the alternate section where marked.

4.Between house no. 591 and 581, there is a lane leading into the woods. Turn RIGHT and follow the lane to a small clearing. This is one of the entrances to the Baille Ard trail. You will note on the map in front of you that the perimeter trail, shown in red, covers a distance of 2600 metres. Standing facing the map, turn approximately 90 to the RIGHT, and follow the trail. About 150 metres along the trail, you will see ahead what looks like a gate; just before the gate, turn LEFT, and continue along inside the park area.

5.When you arrive at the rustic bridge crossing a small brook, cross the bridge, and turn RIGHT, crossing the dirt bike trail and continue along the trail through the woods. You will follow a curving path, which will eventually bring you back to the same dirt bike track, which you will cross again, and re-enter the park area. Immediately, turn RIGHT and cross a concrete bridge with red pipe rails. Continue along the path, following the stream. You will soon arrive at another entrance to the trail area, from behind Sherwood Park Education Centre. Do NOT cross the concrete bridge with red pipe rails, but rather continue straight ahead. You are now on the last section of the trail, and in about 5 or 10 minutes will arrive once again at the point where you entered. Turn RIGHT and exit the trail area, back to Cottage Rd.


6.Turn RIGHT at Cottage Rd., and follow it to its end at George St., a distance of some 1.5km. At the lights at George St., turn RIGHT, and follow George St. back into the downtown area. As you walk along, you might want to try your luck in Sydney’s casino, or perhaps partake of some refreshment at the Tim Horton’s coffee shop. Continue along George St., passing the traffic lights at Prince and Dorchester Streets. (Across the street is Branch 12 of the Royal Canadian Legion and it's “Cenotaph”). Just after Dorchester St., you will walk past the Lyceum, formerly a Sydney theatre, and the Old Sydney Society museum. Up ahead on your left, you will see a large stone building, the convent of the Congregation of Notre Dame, a teaching order. Go past the convent, and turn LEFT onto York St. Two blocks takes you back to the Esplanade. Turn LEFT on the Esplanade, at St Patrick's Church, turn RIGHT and cross the Esplanade, using the crosswalk. Go down the access road into the Sydney Marine Terminal.

Note: For those who did not follow the Baille Ard walking trail, instead of crossing George St. after the convent, continue to the very end of George St. (There’s a flashing red light at the tank farm there.) Follow the road around to the LEFT, keeping the tank farm on your right. When you come back to the harbour, you are back on the Esplanade; follow it until you are opposite the main entrance to the Sydney Marine Terminal.

7.Walk down to the terminal building and around The Worlds Largest Fiddle; visit the shops, if they’re open.

Note: Due to recent changes (2007) to international security rules admittance to the Sydney Terminal maybe restricted when there is a cruise ship at the dock .We apologize for any inconvenience to our walking visitors who may encounter this problem during your tour of Sydney.

8.After the “big fiddle” return up the hill and note the path leading to the right and follow it until it becomes a gravel road parallel to the Esplanade and into a gravel parking area. Cross the parking area, angling to your right, and enter the boardwalk. Follow the boardwalk for about 400 metres to the flagpole in front of the Civic Centre. Turn LEFT at the flagpole, and when you return to the Esplanade, turn RIGHT and almost immediately turn RIGHT again into the driveway of the Cambridge Suites.

Thank you for your participation in the Sydney Year Round Walk Event CVF-59.

SYDNEY YEAR ROUND WALK EVENT 5K

Cape Breton Island Hoppers, Sydney 5K

Sydney: Year Round Event CVF-59
Start/Finish: 380 Esplanade Cambridge Suites
Distance: 5k, Trail Rating: 2A

After departing the front entrance of the Cambridge Suites:
Turn left and then an immediate left going downhill between the Cambridge Suites and the Civic Centre (City Hall) towards the water and the boardwalk.
Continue to the boardwalk and go right, following the entire length of the boardwalk to a parking lot for the marina and the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club.
Going to the far side of the parking lot and up the hill note the signs “Follow the Fiddle, continue along the footpath to the Marine Terminal and the “Big Fiddle”, where there are washrooms, coffee shops, historical displays and boutiques in the adjoining pavilions.

Please note that this area may be restricted to the public at times due to cruise ships in the harbour.

Returning to the top of the hill go left and note the plaques and the lion on the side of the road, cross over the Esplanade at the crosswalk in front of St Patrick’s Church Museum and continue left to Desbarres Street. At this intersection the Esplanade merges straight continuing as Ortona Drive.
Follow Ortona Drive along the fenced area of Victoria Park’s local militia units; there is a very short path with placards detailing the history of Victoria Park and the founding of Sydney. Continue on Ortona Drive to George Street.
Using the sidewalk on the left side of George Street continue to the corner of Desbarres Street, turn right following Desbarres uphill then turn left on Charlotte Street.
Follow Charlotte Street and continue through the historical north end and through the downtown shopping area of Sydney for approximately 9 blocks to Townsend Street.
Cross over Townsend at the lights and turn left and continue to George Street. Turn right at the corner of Townsend and George and continue to Byng Avenue.
Turn right and follow Byng Ave. to Bentinck Street, cross Bentinck and go directly into Wentworth Park following the paved footpath that runs parallel to Byng Ave.
Continue past the War Memorial and water fountain and just before the tunnel going under Kings Rd. there is a stairway and path leading to the intersection of Byng Ave., Kings Rd. and the Esplanade.
Continue on the sidewalk along the Esplanade to Townsend St.
Now turn left using the crosswalk and pedestrian lights go across the street towards the parking lot of the Central Fire Station and follow the footpath to the boardwalk and then right, back to the Cambridge Suites Hotel.

Points Of Interest On Route:
Civic Centre, (City Hall), Cape Breton Regional Municipality offices.
Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club
“The Big Fiddle”, CBRM Reception Centre and Tourist Info at the Marine Terminal
Sydney’s Historical North End:
St Patrick’s Church Museum
Jost Heritage House Museum
Cossitt House Museum
St George Anglican Church
Holy Angels High School
Sydney Downtown District:
Canada Post Office Charlotte & Pitt
YMCA Charlotte & Wentworth
C.B. Library Charlotte & Falmouth
United Baptist Church Townsend
ACAP Cape Breton Townsend & George
Central Fire Station Esplanade

GLACE BAY YEAR ROUND WALK EVENT 5K

Cape Breton Island Hoppers Volkssport Club
CVF 087
Glace Bay Walk Event CVF-192
A War Memorial/Cenotaph Walk Event
Start/Finish: CO-OP Gas Bar 99 Reserve Street
Distance: 5km, Trail Rating: 2B

From the CO-OP Gas Bar on Reserve St., follow the side walk to the right towards the Glace Bay Fire Department and continue past the Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle at 85 Reserve Street.

Continue straight following the side walk to the corner of Union and Reserve St., using the cross walk located in front of Croppers Hair Design and Union St Deli at 181Union St., turn right and continue to the end of Union at Park Street. Turn left on Park to the intersection of Park and Catherine.

Brian’s Barber Shop is across the street, go in that direction and continue along Catherine into Queen Elizabeth Park, left of the gate.

Continuing through the park; there is a bandstand or a concert stage on your left and within a short distance the road begins to go downhill towards a stone bridge.

Continuing across Renwick Brook into Cameron Bowl Baseball Park. After crossing the bridge go left following the brook that is now on your left and continue to the **pedestrian underpass at Park Street and continue into Renwick Brook Park.

At the next footbridge crossover keeping the brook on your right to the next footbridge, follow the path to your left up to Catherine Street.

Continue on Commercial St. (there are churches, restaurants, coffee shops, pharmacies, Glace Bay Shoe Store and other retail outlets along this area mainly on the right of the street).

When you come to the Savoy Theatre follow the sidewalk left on Union Street to the Cenotaph in front of the Royal Canadian Legion, John Bernard Croak VC, Branch 3.

Return to the crosswalk in front of the Bank of Montreal and cross the street towards Keith’s Hair Salon turn right, then left on the short sidewalk along the side of the building, Senators Place, then a left on Main Street.

There is a crosswalk in front of Senators Place 633 Main St., cross the street going towards the 24hr Irving; turn left and follow the sidewalk to the Glace Bay Heritage Museum, (former Glace Bay Town Hall and courtroom) on McKeen St.

In font of the museum, take the crosswalk to the ATV/walking trail, turn left and continue to the intersection of McKeen and Main. Turn right on Main St. following the sidewalk uphill.

At Cottage Street turn left following the crosswalks towards Saint Anne’s Church then turn right following the sidewalk to King Edward Street.

Go left on King Edward, continue to the end of King Edward then turn right at the crosswalk at Reserve and King Edward to the CO-OP Gas Bar.

** Pedestrian Underpass, springtime:

The underpass at Park Street maybe flooded during the spring months. You may have to return to Catherine and Park Street, retracing your steps through Queen Elizabeth Park. At Brian’s Barber Shop turn right on Park Street and enter Renwick Brook Park (left) by the footpath at the end of the Park Street Bridge and continue to the footbridge (#6) on the left.