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Volksmarching Notes
» Interested in Volksmarching but not sure how things work? A basic guide to getting started in the sport is available in PDF by sending an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com with “Getting Started” written in the subject line.
» Kaiserslautern American reader B. Lopez reminded us recently that volksmarching events are available in France. Therefore, a number of events are included in this month’s “Take a Hike” for those wishing to enjoy a walk on the other side of the border.
» Also providing brochures for this feature, and deserving of thanks, are regular contributors Richard and Donna Glenn, and Pat Patterson.
» Walking 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 this writer.
» The Postleitzahl, or postal code, is included in the listings for readers using navigation devices to reach an event.
» Readers are asked to pick up extra event brochures whenever possible and mail them via MPS to Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.
Saturday and Sunday
Bining, France (57410) — Here’s a French event quite a ways southeast of Saarbrücken that offers a variety of distances, including 42 and 50 kilometers. From the KMC, use autobahn A6 to Neunkirchen and autobahn A8 toward Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim and use B-424 south toward the border where it becomes D 35A in France. Just before reaching Bitche, take the secondary roads D 35/D 662 to Rohrbach-lès-Bitche. D 35 continues southward to Bining and the start.
Start: Salle des Fêtes
Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km), 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km), 6 to 10 a.m. (30 km) and 6 to 9 a.m. (42 and 50 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None (shorter trails) or patch and certificate (marathon trails)
Brücken (66904) — This Saarland event is just northwest of Miesau and easily reached by wanderers in various American communities. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Neunkirchen and Saarlouis. Exit at Dillingen-Süd and follow signs to the start.
Start: Turnhalle on Feldstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events
Neunkirchen-lès-Bouzonville, France (57320) — This just-across-the-French-border volksmarch is northwest of Saarlouis. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 past Saarbrücken and Saarlouis. Exit at Rehlingen to use minor roads to cross into France. Drive through Siersburg and toward Bouzonville until you can connect with a minor road leading to Neunkirchen-lès-Bouzonville and the start.
Start: Salle des Fêtes du Foyer
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None
Reisbach (66793) — This event is southwest of Baumholder and west of Kaiserslautern in the Saarland area. From the Kaiserslautern/Ramstein area, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Heusweiler. Follow B-268 in the direction of Lebach to pick up a secondary road to Reisbach.
Start: Lohwieshalle on Lohwiese Straße
Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None
Winterbach/Saar (66606) — This walk, located west of Ramstein, is easily reached by wanderers in the KMC. From Kaiserslautern, use autobahns A6 and A62 in the direction of Saarbrücken and Trier, then exit at Kusel to pick up B-420 toward Ottweiler. Connect with B-41 to St. Wendel and B-269 to Winterbach.
Start: Sportplatz on Seiters Straße
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Fairly hilly, woods and fields
Award: None
Weekend of May 27 to 29
Bexbach (66450) — This Saarland event is located between Ramstein and Saarbrücken. From Ramstein and Landstuhl, use autobahn A6 to reach the Homburg exit, then use secondary roads to the start at Bexbach.
Start: Volkshaus Oberbexbach at Frankenholzer Straße 81
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None
Quierschied-Göttelborn (66287) — This event, in the Saarland area west of Ramstein, moved its date this year to the warmer temperatures of May. From Ramstein, use autobahns A6 and A8 to reach the Merchweiler exit, then use secondary roads to reach the start at Göttelborn.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle on Hauptstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown but expect somewhat hilly, woods
Award: None
Siersburg-Saar (66780) — This German Father’s Day event is northwest of Saarlouis and just on this side of the French border. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 past Saarbrücken and Saarlouis. Exit at Rehlingen to use minor roads a short distance to reach Siersburg and the start.
Start: Niedtalhalle on Zur Niedtalhalle
Thursday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and
7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None
Weekend of June 4 and 5
Bischweiler, France (67240) — Although this Saturday afternoon volksmarch is fairly distant from the KMC, it should offer a scenic drive for those who make the trip. (Plus, for those who might be interested, the Cora supermarket in Hagenau has a nice selection of cheese and wines.) From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim to take B-424 south across the border where it turns into D 35A. Continue on N 62 to Hagenau and D 29 to the start in Bischweiler.
Start: Foyer Saint Leon on Rue Henri Pierson
Saturday: 3 to 8 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Fairly flat, fields and woods
Award: None.
Differten (66787) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A620 past Saarbrücken and toward Saarlouis. Exit at Wadgassen and use minor roads through Wadgassen to the start at Differten.
Start: Bisttalhalle on Pater-Lorson-Straße
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and
7 a.m. to noon (15 and 20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and
7 a.m. to noon (15 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
Soucht, France (57960) — This French volksmarching event is south of Zweibrücken and offers a marathon. The drive from the KMC will be scenic but long. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim to take B-424 south where it becomes D 35A in France. Connect with D 37 near Bitche to follow it through Lemberg and Goetzenbruck. Take a minor road through Meisenthal to reach Soucht.
Start: Salle polyvalente Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km) and 6-9 a.m. (42 km) Trail: Unknown Award: Cloth patch (marathon).
Weekend of June 11 to 13
Schwedelbach (67685) — This event is just a short 6 kilometers north of Ramstein. Use minor roads from Ramstein through Miesenbach and Mackenbach to reach the start at Schwedelbach.
Start: Sportplatz Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 11 and 20 km) Trails: Unknown Award: From previous events.
Wiesviller, France (57200) — This walk is south of Saarbrücken and just on the other side of the border. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and toward Zweibrücken. Exit at Einöd to use B-423 toward Sarreguemines. After crossing the border, connect with N 62 toward Bitche to find a minor road to Wiesviller and the start.
Start: Salle polyvalente Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Wustweiler (66557) — This holiday event is southwest of Baumholder and west of Kaiserslautern in the Saarland area. From Kaiserslautern/Ramstein area, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Trier and exit at Eppelborn. Follow secondary roads to Dirmingen and Wustweiler.
Start: Seelbachhalle on Lebacher Straße Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) Monday: 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km) Trails: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of June 18 and 19
Kordel (54306) — Wanderers will find this event north of Trier, Germany’s oldest city. From Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl, use Autobahns 62, 1 and 602 to Trier and the Trier-Ehrang exit. Connect with B-54 and B-422 to reach the start at Kordel.
Start: Turnhalle Saturday: 1-6 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 1-5 p.m. (20 km) Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 11 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown, but expect hilly, woods and fields Award: None.
Weekend of June 25 and 26
Holz/Saar (66265) — This Saarland event is north of Saarbrücken and west of Neunkirchen. From Kaiserslautern/Ramstein area, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarlouis and Saarbrücken. Exit at Quierscheid to follow IVV directional signs to the start at Holz.
Start: Glück-Auf-Halle on Glück-Auf-Weg Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (21 km) Trails: Unknown Award: None.
(For questions, e-mail the writer at volksmarch@gmail.com.)
