Take A Hike

Volksmarching Notes
» The DVV (German Federation of Peoples Popular Sports) altered the awards structure from that of its parent organization, the IVV. Essentially, the upper-levels for event and distance participation will take longer to achieve the next step. The lapel pin, as happened to the cloth patch, will no longer be provided with the certificate. Readers may request an English translation (provided by the American awards officer) of the announcement published in the DVV Kurier Magazine by sending an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com.

» If you walk in the Saarland area southwest of Baumholder and west of Ramstein, send your short, firsthand descriptions of the trails (flat, hilly, wooded, fields, etc.) via e-mail to the writer.

» The Postleitzahl, or postal code, is included in the following listings for those readers using navigation devices to reach an event.

» Readers are asked to pick up extra event brochures whenever possible and to mail them via MPS to Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.

» Would you like to receive “Take a Hike” at the same time as the newspaper editor? The complete, unedited version of the monthly volksmarching feature is available in its original Word document format by sending an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com with “subscribe” written in the subject line.

» Look for additional event choices at www.wiesbaden.army.mil/hunion/Takeahike.htm.

» This is a reminder to photocopy your IVV record books to avoid the loss of your hard earned accomplishments.

Saturday and Sunday
Marpingen (66646) — This Saarland event is easily reached by autobahn from the area’s American communities. From Baumholder, head south to autobahn A-62 in the direction of Neubrücke and Trier. Connect with autobahn A-1 southbound toward Saarbrücken and exit at Eppelborn. Follow a secondary road through Dirmingen and Berschweiler to the start. From Idar-Oberstein, use B-41 to Neubrücke, then autobahns 62 and 1 toward Saarbrücken. Exit at Eppelborn and use a secondary road to Marpingen. From Kaiserslautern, use autobahns A6, A8 and A1 toward Saarbrücken and Trier to reach the Eppelborn exit and the minor roads leading to Marpingen.
Start: Schulzentrum on Marien Straße
Times: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None

Weekend of Jan. 29 and 30
Wallerfangen (66798) — Though distant from American bases, this walk is relatively easy to reach via autobahn. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 (staying north of Saarbrücken) toward Saarlouis. Connect with autobahn A8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Wallerfangen. Follow directional signs to the start.
Start: Scheidberghalle Kerlingen on St. Vallier Straße
Times: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events

Weekend of Feb. 19 and 20
Geislautern (66333) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken and should be within volksmarching range of wanderers in the KMC. Use autobahns A6 and A620 to Saarbrücken and Völklingen. Exit at Geislautern and follow directional signs to the start hall.
Start: Dorfgemainschaftshaus at the Schloß-parkschule
Times: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 19 (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 20 (6 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events

Weekend Feb. 26 and 27
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (91541) — This walk explores the medieval walled-city of Rothenburg. This old-town walk offers a mini-tour of its many shops and sights. The outside trails, including a half-marathon distance, are a great choice if you’ve already experienced the old-city trail. It’s crowded but not overwhelming. Parking is plentiful. In conjunction with this special walk are discounts on admission by a number of museums and attractions. Just show your IVV start card. Use autobahns A5, A6 and A7 past Heidelberg, Heilbronn and Crailsheim in order to reach Rothenburg. Alternately, autobahns A3 and A7 via Würzburg and Kitzingen may be used.
Start: Sporthalle at Erlbacher Straße 5
Times: 7 a.m. to noon (6, 11 and 21 km outside of city) and noon to 4 p.m. (11 km old-city trail) Feb. 26, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (21 km) Feb. 27
Trails: Old-City routes are paved and have steps; trails in the surrounding area are hilly and wooded
Award: Cloth shopping bag

Weekend of March 5 and 6
Schwalbach-Griesborn (66773) — Wanderers will find this Saarland event northwest of Saarbrücken and easily reached by autobahn from the Landstuhl/Ramstein area. From Idar-Oberstein, Neubrücke and Baumholder, use autobahns A62 and A1 south toward Saarbrücken. Connect with autobahn A8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Schwalbach/Schwarzenholz. Use secondary roads through Sprengen and Schwalbach to the start at Griesborn. From Ramstein and Landstuhl, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Saarlouis to reach the Schwalbach/Schwarzenholz exit, then follow secondary roads through Sprengen and Schwalbach to reach Griesborn.
Start: Gemeindesaalbau at Hauptstraße 90
Times: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) March 5, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) March 6
Trail: Unknown, but expect somewhat hilly, woods
Award: None

Weekend of March 12 and 13
Hemmersdorf (66780) — This Saarland event is west of Dillingen and only a few kilometers from the Luxemburg border, yet it’s easily reached by autobahn from the Landstuhl/Ramstein area. From Ramstein and Landstuhl, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Saarlouis and Merzig and exit at Rehlingen. Use secondary roads through Büren to reach Hemmersdorf.
Start: Grenzlandhalle on Niedaltdorfer
Straße 90
Times: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 km) March 12, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (15 km) March 13
Trail: Unknown
Award: None

Queidersbach (66851) — This event is southeast of Ramstein and easily reached by autobahn. From Baumholder, head south to pick up autobahn A62 in the direction of Landstuhl. Continue past autobahn A6 to exit at Bann, then use a secondary road about 4 km to the start in Queidersbach. From Idar-Oberstein, use B-41 to Neubrücke, then autobahn A62 south past autobahn A6 to the exit at Bann and the secondary road to the start.
Start: Sport- und Mehrzweckhalle at
Jahnstraße 11
Times: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) March 12, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km) March 13
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events

Weekend of March 19 and 20
Trier-Ehrang (54293) — Wanderers will walk in the area surrounding Germany’s oldest city of Trier as a reward for the time spent reaching this event. U.S. Army Garrison Hessen’s western-most communities will begin by heading toward autobahn A1. From Baumholder, connect at the town of Freisen. From Idar-Oberstein, connect at Neubrücke by using the B-41. Volksmarchers in Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl will use autobahns A62, A1 and A602 toward Trier. Trier-Ehrang has its own exit off of autobahn A602 as drivers approach Trier. Watch carefully for IVV directional signs.
Start: Turnhalle at Oberstraße 8 in the Trier suburb of Ehrang
Times: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 11 and 20 km)
March 20
Trail: Hilly, woods and fields
Award: From previous events

(For questions, e-mail volksmarch@gmail.com.)