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Volksmarching Notes
* Interested in volksmarching but not sure how things work? Send an email message to volksmarch@gmail.com with the subject “Getting Started.”
* Readers participating in French volksmarch events are reminded to bring their passports in case of a border check.
* The 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 and to mail them via MPS to Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.
Saturday and Sunday
Höheinöd (66989) — This walk, south of Landstuhl, is another of many available to wanderers from the Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl communities. From Landstuhl, take Autobahn 62 south toward Pirmasens. Use the Parkplatz exit at kilometer 231,5 to reach the start.
Start: Sportplatz Sägmühle
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (17 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
Riegelsberg (66292) — This event is north of Saarbrücken and just off of Autobahn 1, making it easily reached from the Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl. From the KMC area, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Riegelsberg. From the Baumholder, Neubrücke and Idar-Oberstein areas, use Autobahn 62 toward Trier. Connect with Autobahn 1 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Riegelsberg to follow signs to the start.
Start: Riegelsberghalle on Alleestraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None.
WEEKEND OF SEPT. 10 and 11
Großrosseln-Karlsbrunn (66352) — This walk is southwest of Saarbrücken and near the French border. Use Autobahns 6 and A 32 past Saarbrücken and into France. Exit at Merlebach to use minor roads leading back into Germany, through the town of Naßweiler, and to the start at Karlsbrunn.
Start: Turnhalle at Zum Tiefen Graben 22
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to noon (6, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
Saarbrücken-Ensheim (66131) — This walk is east of Saarbrücken and, besides normal trail lengths, offers 42- and 50-km routes to challenge-seeking wanderers from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Use Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Saarbrücken-Fechingen. Follow directional signs to Ensheim and the start.
Start: Sporthalle on Backfeldstraße
Saturday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 6-11 a.m. (21 km), 6-9 a.m. (42 km) and 6-8 a.m. (50 km)
Sunday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 6-11 a.m. (21 km) and 6-9 a.m. (42 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events (shorter trails) or patch and certificate (marathon trails).
SEPT. 14
Rohrwiller, France (67410) — This midweek volksmarch event in France is southeast of Zweibrücken and a bit distant. However, wanderers who take a day off work will find themselves fairly near Haguenau, Soufflenheim and Strasbourg — all of which are worth exploring. 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 N 62 to Haguenau and D 29 to reach Rohrwiller and the start.
Start: Salle des Fêtes
Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
WEEKEND OF SEPT. 17 and 18
Meisenthal, France (57960) — This French volksmarching event is south of Zweibrücken and offers evening start times. 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 to Meisenthal and the start.
Start: Salle des fêtes on Place de la Poste
Saturday: 3-8 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
Miesau-Bruchmühlbach (66892) — Just west of Landstuhl and home to an Army depot, this walk is easily reached via the autobahn. Pretty trails are offered by a friendly club, as is (so I’m told) a world-class pea soup. Use the Autobahn 6 exit for Bruchmühlbach-Miesau and follow signs a short distance to the start hall.
Start: Turn- und Festhalle at Alte Straße 3
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (1 & 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (18 km)
Trail: Very hilly, wooded areas
Award: None.
Saarlouis (66740) — While distant from American bases, this walk is interesting for its start location — the Ford Motor Company’s plant in Saarlouis. From the KMC area, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Neunkirchen and Saarlouis. Exit at Nalbach/Ford-Werke and follow signs to Tor 4/Personentor and Parkplatz Ost.
Start: Halle B, Kantine-Bürogebäude on Henry-Ford-Straße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (30 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: 1934 Ford Pickup Truck model.
SEPT. 21
Idar-Oberstein Enzweiler (55743) — Here’s a midweek walk for the folks in the Baumholder area. With a start possible as late as 5 p.m. readers should be able to enjoy a walk after work. Enzweiler is on the southern edge of Idar-Oberstein and interested wanderers need only head toward that community to pick up IVV directional signs. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 toward Trier and exit at Birkenfeld. Follow B-41 toward Idar-Oberstein to pick up the IVV signs leading to the start.
Start: Turnhalle Enzweiler on Lindenstraße
Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Hilly, wooded areas
Award: From previous events.
WEEKEND OF SEPT. 24 and 25
Gusenburg (54413) — This event is easily reached from Baumholder as well as the KMC. Gusenburg is located just off Autobahn 1 (heading toward Trier) and reached via the Hermeskeil exit and a secondary road. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62 and 1 toward Trier to reach the Hermskeil exit and the minor road to Gusenberg.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle on Vogtstraße
Saturday: 1-6 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 1-4 p.m. (20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Fairly hilly, woods and fields
Award: None.
Heidelberg-Rohrbach (69126) — Join one of Germany’s more active American volksmarching organizations, the Heidelberg International Wandering Club, at this popular event. The 22-km trail will pass by the picturesque Heidelberg Castle as it offers an interesting tour of the area. The start is near the former Army Hospital (now a Health Clinic); participants with ID cards may use its parking lots. Use Autobahns 67 and 656 into Heidelberg, then follow IVV and U.S. Army signs for Campbell Barracks and the Clinic.
Start: Internationale Gesamtschule on Baden-Badener-Straße
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 11 and 22 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 11 and 22 km)
Trail: Family (5 km) trail is flat, other trails are hilly; fields and wooded areas
Award: Glass beer mug.
Siersburg-Saar (66780) — This event is northwest of Saarlouis and just this side of the French border. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 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
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 15 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
WEEKEND OF SEPT. 30 to OCT. 2
Thalexweiler (66822) — This event is southwest of Baumholder and north of Saarbrücken in the Saarland area. From Kaiserslautern/Ramstein area, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis and Autobahn 1 toward Trier. Exit at Tholey, take B-269 a short distance to Thalexweiler. From the Baumholder, area, use Autobahn 62 toward Trier. Connect with Autobahn 1 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Tholey to use B-269 to the start.
Start: Don-Bosco-Halle at Don-Bosco-Straße 6
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None, but 0,95 of your €1,50 start fee goes to Cystic Fibrosis research.
WEEKEND OF OCT. 8 and 9
Auersmacher/Saar (66271) — This walk is south of Saarbrücken and a bit distant for wanderers from the KMC. Use Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Dreieck Saarbrücken. Use B-51 toward Sarreguemines to connect with a minor road leading to the start at Auersmacher.
Start: Ruppertshof
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
WEEKEND OF OCT. 15 and 16
Völklingen-Heidstock (66333) — This walk, west of Saarbrücken, offers a marathon to wanderers from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Use Autobahns 6 and 620 past Saarbrücken. Exit at Völklingen-City and follow directional signs to the start.
Start: Hermann-Neuberger-Halle at Stadion Völklingen
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km) and 7-9 a.m. (42 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None (shorter trails) or patch and certificate (marathon).
WEEKEND OF OCT. 22 and 23
Hohenöllen/Pfalz (67744) — Too distant for most readers, this midweek event is closest to Baumholder and Kaiserslautern. The start times may accommodate workers. From Baumholder, head east toward Lauterecken using the unnumbered road bordering the training area to reach B-420 at Rathsweiler. Take B-420 to Lauterecken, then B-270 south to Heinzenhausen to pick up another secondary road a short distance to Hohenöllen. From Idar-Oberstein use B-41 to connect with B-270, then head south to Heinzenhausen and the road to Hohenöllen. From Kaiserslautern, use B-420 north toward Lauterecken to Heinzenhausen and the minor road to the start.
Start: Radsporthalle at Am Heidchen 6
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Hilly, woods and fields
Award: None.
Neufgrange, France (57910) — This French event is found due south of Saarbrücken and Sarreguemines. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 to connect briefly with Autobahn 8 at Saarbrücken. Exit at Saarbrücken-Unner to head south on a minor road that becomes N 61 in France. Use N 62 toward Sarreguemines a short distance to connect with minor roads leading to the start at Neufgrange.
Start: Salle Socio-Culturelle on Rue St. Joseph
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
(For questions, e-mail the writer at volksmarch@gmail.com.)
