Grab a map and go…

Getting tired of your regular walk? Get a map for different walks in your community and beyond.

Here are a few examples that might be similar to what your community has to offer:

• You can order free walking and bicycling maps from the city of Portland. Visit the Portland Office of Transportation’s web site, www.portlandonline.com/transportation/.

• In St. Helens, pick up a walking map of historical buildings at the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center, 2194 Columbia Boulevard .

• Sheri Aasen, office manager at Dunes Family Health Care, started an online forum to help residents of Reedsport and nearby communities to lead active, healthy lives. The web site, www.reedsportwalks.com, includes walking maps.

• American Volkssport Association clubs have “map-guided walks” or “year-round events” you can do any time. Visit www.ava.org to find an event or a club near you. Then just go to the start, get your map and start walking.

• In the Portland area, Metro has published a guidebook to 50 “foot excursions” in the area. The guidebooks, titled Walk There! 50 Treks in and Around Portland and Vancouver, are free. You can pick one up at Metro's office, 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland. You can also download and print individual routes at Metro’s web site. Here is a link to a sample walk in Wilsonville. You can order a copy of the whole guidebook at the same web site or by calling 503-797-1757, but you have to pay $5 for mailing.