Take A Hike

VOLKSMARCHING NOTES

* The calendar for volksmarching in Germany, Terminliste 2014, is now available for €2,50 in the start hall at most events. This useful booklet lists dates, locations, points of contact and other information for each of the scheduled events in Germany. Also provided is an extensive list of permanent trails. Be advised the international edition of the IVV calendar — a very handy book when traveling outside of Germany — is no longer being published.

*Got a comment? Found something you’d like to correct? Want to change ‘unknown’ to a useful trail description? Write me at volksmarch@gmail.com with the subject “Feedback.”

*Interested in volksmarching but not sure how things work? Send an email message to volksmarch@gmail.com with the subject “Getting Started.”

*Many thanks to readers Pat and Cheryl Patterson for continuing to provide event brochures.

*You, too, can help out by picking up event brochures and mailing them via no-cost MPS to Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.

*The postal code is included in the listings for readers using navigation devices. Autobahn exit numbers are being added for those without such devices.

*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 email message to volksmarch@gmail.com with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.

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

WEEKEND OF OCT. 26-27

Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday — and enjoy the extra hour of sleep!

Güdingen (66130) — This walk is south of Saarbrücken and offers trails along the French-German border. Wanderers from the Kaiserslautern Military Community should find this event within their driving range. Use Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken, briefly pick up Autobahn 620 and exit at Saarbrücken-Güdingen (21). Take B-51 south to Güdingen and follow directional signs to the start.
Start: Festhalle in city center
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to noon (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

Kindsbach (66862) — This walk, adjacent to Landstuhl, is certainly convenient to KMC’s wanderers. Kindsbach is just a kilometer south of Autobahn 6’s Landstuhl exit (13) making it just as easy, but longer, to reach from other communities.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle at Marktstraße 27
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 1-3

Lautzkirchen (66440) — This walk is west of Zweibrücken and easily reached by autobahn from Miesau, Landstuhl and the KMC. Head toward Saarbrücken on the A-6 and exit at Rohrbach (7). Take a minor road past Kirkel to Lautzkirchen and follow directional signs to the start hall.
Start: Schützenhaus, Auf dem Gänshorn
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

Neunkirchen/Furpach (66539) — This Saarland event is just southeast of Neunkirchen. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken. Connect with Autobahn 8 toward Neunkirchen and take the first exit at Kohlhof (26). Use a minor road to Furpach and the start.
Start: Hirschberghalle at Sebachstraße 41
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 11 km)
Trails: Somewhat hilly, woods
Award: None.

Schwalbach-Elm (66773) — Wanderers will find this single-day Saarland event northwest of Saarbrücken and easily reached by autobahn from the Landstuhl/Ramstein area. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis to reach the Schwalbach/Schwarzenholz exit (14), then follow the road a short distance to reach the start at Elm.
Start: Turn- und Festhalle on Sebastianstraße
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 9-10

Boofzheim, France (67860) — This event is south of Strasbourg and due west of the former Canadian airbase at Lahr, Germany. It’s way too far (easily 2.5 hours from Ramstein) but some of KMC’s volksmarchers will make a day out of it with visits to Strasbourg, Lahr, Baden-Baden, Bad Dürkheim, etc. From the KMC, use A-6 toward Mannheim, A-61 south toward Karlsruhe, and A-65 toward Landau. Exit at Kandel-Süd (22) to follow B-9 to the border and connect French Autoroute A35 toward Strasbourg. You’ll merge onto A4 briefly but continue southbound on A35 to use exit 6 toward Offenburg/Illkirch-Graffenstaden. Follow secondary roads past Fegersheim, Erstein, Gerstheim, and Obenheim to reach the start at Boofzheim.
Start: Salle des fêtes
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km) and 7-10 a.m. (30 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None or certificate (30 km).

Mandel (55595) — Here’s an event midway between Idar-Oberstein and Wiesbaden. From Baumholder, pick up B-41 at Idar-Oberstein and head toward Bad Kreuznach. Turn onto a secondary road at Weinsheim for the final few kilometers to Mandel.
Start: Schloßberghalle at Sponheimerstraße 1
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Hilly, fields and woods
Award: From previous events.

Oberdonven, Luxembourg (L-5435) — This event brings volksmarchers to Luxembourg to wander along the Mosel River on that country’s border with Germany. It’s a long drive from the KMC but should be easily done using autobahns. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62, 1 and 602 to Trier. Use the Trier-Ehrang exit to connect with A-64 toward Luxembourg City. After crossing the border, the autobahn becomes A1. Use the Potaschberg/Grevenmacher exit (13) and follow the secondary road toward Grevenmacher. Connect with a minor road leading to Oberdonven. IVV or FLMP directional signs should be available after exiting the autobahn.
Start: Centre Culturel at 2, rue Méchtem
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 12 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (16 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 16-17

Gottenhouse, France (67700) — While distant, the drive is almost entirely on autobahns (albeit a toll road in France) and should be relatively painless to reach. Gottenhouse is immediately south of Saverne, and not too far from Strasbourg or Haguenau. A visit to those cities will add another reason to make the drive. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A32. Connect with the A4 toward Strasbourg and use the Saverne exit (45). Drive past Saverne on D1404, connect with D1004 at Heschfeld, and follow directional signs to the start at Gottenhouse.
Start: Salle des Fêtes
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 23-24

Holz/Saar (66265) — This Saarland event is north of Saarbrücken and west of Neunkirchen. From the KMC area, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarlouis and Saarbrücken. Exit at Quierscheid (144) 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, 11 and 20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None.

THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 28

Ramstein-Miesenbach (66877) — The Ramstein Roadrunners club plays host to its 29th annual Thanksgiving Day volksmarch and 75th overall event. Wanderers will find the event to be a friendly and relaxing family activity. Ask about becoming a club member — information is available at the start hall. Consider making reservations to enjoy the Thanksgiving buffet at the Officers’ Club on Ramstein Air Base. Spend a night or two in guest lodging — contact Central Reservations at 06371-454920 to find out if Space-A rooms are available. Use Autobahns 5 and 6 and the Landstuhl/Air Base exit (13) to follow IVV directional signs to reach the town of Ramstein-Miesenbach.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle at Am Kiefernkopf 22
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Trail: Slightly hilly, fields and forests
Award: Commemorative challenge coin.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 30-DEC. 1

Hüttigweiler (66557) — This event is southwest of Baumholder and north of Saarbrücken in the Saarland area. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis and Autobahn 1 toward Trier. Exit at Illingen (142) and take secondary roads through Hosterhof to reach Hüttigweiler. From the Baumholder area, use Autobahn 62 toward Trier. Connect with Autobahn 1 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Illingen (142) to follow the same minor roads to the start.
Start: Illtalhalle on Pfarrstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF DEC. 7-8

Staudernheim (55568) — This club offers its first Winter Marathon just down the road from Idar-Oberstein, something challenge-seekers may want to attempt. If conditions are too “winter-ish” for the 42 km route, there’s always the 26 km trail also being offered. The rest of us will stick to the 5- and 11-km routes. From Baumholder, use the minor road bordering the training area to Niederalben and B-420. Using B-420, drive through Medard and Odenbach to reach a minor road past Meisenheim that will take you through Abtweiler and to the start at Staudernheim. From the KMC, take B-270 north to Lauterecken, then B-420 past Meisenheim to reach a minor road leading through Abtweiler to Staudernheim.
Start: Turnhalle at the Sportplatz
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 11 and 26 km) and 8-9 a.m. (42 km)
Trail: Hills and fields
Award: Patch and certificate (marathon).

Waldweistroff, France (57320) — This French walk is west-northwest of Saarbrücken and will be a bit of a drive. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 past Saarbrücken and toward Saarlouis. Exit at Saarlouis-Mitte and take B-405 toward France. Continue on it to Bouzonville as it becomes D918. Take D19 north to Colmen and connect with a minor road to Waldweistroff and the start.
Start: Salle des Fêtes
Sunday: 7 a.m. to noon (10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF DEC. 14-15

Bockenau (55595) — This event is due west of Bad Kreuznach on the year-round, permanent Hunsrück trail system. From Baumholder, use the minor road bordering the training area to reach B-420. Head toward Bad Kreuznach to connect with B-270 toward Idar-Oberstein and B-41 through Kirn to Waldböckelheim. A minor road will lead to Bockenau.
Start: Bockenauer-Schweiz-Halle on Waldböckelheimer Straße
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Trail: Fairly hilly, woods
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF DEC. 21-22

Luxembourg-Limpertsberg, Luxembourg (L-1750) — A few years ago, this event was recommended by volksmarching enthusiast Kay Garsnett who especially enjoys “…December volksmarches that combine St. Nick or Christmas celebrations.” This Saturday-only walk continues to do exactly that with its trails passing through the town’s Christmas market. It’s a long drive from the KMC but, if you’ve got the time and the weather is nice, should be a worthwhile trip. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken. At Kreuz Neunkirchen connect with A-8 toward Luxembourg and continue across the border where it becomes A13. At the Croix de Bettembourg interchange, take A3 toward Luxembourg. Just past the Croix de Gasperich, the autobahn ends at a roundabout; take the second exit onto B3. Use N3, N50, N57, Boulevard Royal, N52, Avenue Victor Hugo, Square Edouard Andre and Rue Jean-Baptiste Fresez. Watch for FLMP directional signs leading to the start at Limpertsberg.
Start: Hall Victor Hugo at 60 Avenue Victor Hugo
Saturday: 1-5 p.m. (6 and 12 km)
Trail: Through the Christmas Market
Award: None.

(For more events in your area, visit www.wiesbaden.army.mil/hunion/Takeahike.htm.)