Take A Hike

VOLKSMARCHING NOTES

* Many thanks to readers Pat and Cheryl Patterson, Bob and Pat Kiebler, and Susan and David Salaj for helping out by sending brochures.

* 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.”

* You, too, can help out by picking up event brochures and mailing them via 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 JULY 13-14

Humes (66571) — This event is due north of Saarbrücken and just off Autobahn 1 making it easy to reach. From Baumholder, head south to pick up A-62 in the direction of Neubrücke and Trier. Connect with A-1 southbound toward Saarbrücken and exit at Illingen (142). Briefly follow a minor road toward Wiesbach before cutting off toward Humes and the start. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarbrücken and Trier. Exit at Illingen (142) and use minor roads toward Wiesbach and Humes.
Start: Pfarrsaal on Pastor-Pfeil-Straße
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: None.

Otterberg-Drehenthalerhof (67697) — This event is located just a few kilometers north of Kaiserslautern and west of Sembach. From Baumholder, make your way to Autobahn 62 and head toward Kaiserslautern, connecting with Autobahn 6. Use the Kaiserslautern-West exit (15) to pick up secondary roads to Otterbach and Otterberg; from there take a minor road to Drehenthalerhof and the start. From the KMC, take Autobahn 6 Kaiserslautern-West exit (15) and B-270 north toward Idar-Oberstein. Connect with secondary roads through Otterbach and Otterberg to pick up the minor road to Drehenthalerhof.
Start: Bürgerhaus
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, woods and fields
Award: From previous events.

Sohren (55487) — This walk puts you near Hahn airport, home of Ryanair. Events in the Hunsrück area are always pretty and this one shouldn’t be an exception. Drivers should make their way to B-50 using the Rheinböllen exit (45) of Autobahn 61 or B-421 from Idar-Oberstein or Bad Kreuznach. Once on B-50, drive in the direction of Bernkastel-Kues. Sohren is at the bottom of a triangle formed by routes B-421, B-327 and B-50.
Start: Bürgerhalle at Talstraße 1
Saturday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Sunday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trails: Fairly hilly, woods and fields
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF JULY 20-21

Eppelborn/Bubach (66571) — This event is due north of Saarbrücken and easily reached by autobahn from Baumholder as well as the Kaiserslautern Military Community. From Baumholder, head south to pick up A-62 in the direction of Neubrücke and Trier. Connect with A-1 southbound toward Saarbrücken and exit at Eppelborn (141). Use B-10 toward Lebach to reach the start at Bubach. From the KMC, Autobahns 6 and 1 toward Saarbrücken. Exit at Eppelborn (141) and follow B-10 toward Lebach to reach Bubach.
Start: Hirschberghalle on St. Martin Straße
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (15 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Wadgassen (66787) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 620 past Saarbrücken and toward Saarlouis. Exit at Wadgassen and follow IVV directional signs to the start.
Start: Schulturnhalle on Abteistraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF JULY 27-28

Glan-Münchweiler (66907) — Here’s an event just up the autobahn from Landstuhl and home to a number of Americans. From Baumholder, head south to connect with Autobahn 62. Use A-62 toward Landstuhl and exit at Glan-Münchweiler (8), then follow IVV signs to the start. From the KMC area, use A-6 and A-62 to head north toward Trier. Exit at Glan-Münchweiler (8) and follow signs to the start.
Start: Sportplatz
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

Hülzweiler (66773) — This walk is a bit distant from the KMC, but certainly reachable, with its location just east of Saarlouis. From Baumholder, use Autobahns 62 and 1 toward Nonnwieler and Saarbrücken. Connect with Autobahn 8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Schwalbach (14), then use a minor road south to Hülzweiler. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and Saarlouis. Exit at Schwalbach (14) and briefly head south to reach the start.
Start: Sportzentrum Schachen
Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (5 km), 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (10 km), 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 km), and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown, but expect hilly trails, woods
Award: None.

Nieder-Wiesen (55234) — This Sunday-only event is south-southeast of Bad Kreuznach and accessible to wanderers via autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 63 toward Mainz. Take the Erbes-Büdesheim exit (9) and follow secondary roads through Erbes-Büdesheim and Nack to reach Nieder-Wiesen.
Start: Sportheim
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, fields and woods
Award: Woman’s scarf.

Sarralbe, France (57430) — This event is south of Saarbrücken and easily reached from the KMC by autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A32. Connect with the A4 toll road toward Strasbourg and use the Sarreguemines exit. Take N61 to Sarralbe and the start.
Start: Centre Culturel Sportif on Rue de la Sarre
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF AUG. 3-4

Hottenbach (55758) — This walk is north of Idar-Oberstein and should offer wanderers a scenic trail in a very pretty area. From Baumholder, head toward Neubrücke to pick up B-41 north to Idar-Oberstein to connect with B-422. Briefly continue north on B-422 to Tiefenstein and then take minor roads through Herborn, Mörschied and Weiden in order to reach the start. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 to the Birkenfeld exit (4), then take B-41 north to B-422 at Idar-Oberstein. Use B-422 to Tiefenstein and then take minor roads through Herborn, Mörschied and Weiden to reach Hottenbach.
Start: Sportplatz
Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Hilly, mostly woods
Award: Mounted gemstone.

Kalhausen, France (57412) — This Marche Populaire event is south of Saarbrücken in France. Wanderers from the KMC area will have a bit of a drive to reach this walk. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A32. Connect with the A4 toward Strasbourg and use the Sarreguemines exit. Use N 61 to Sarralbe and minor roads Herbitzheim and Oermingen to reach Kalhausen.
Start: Salle polyvalente
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF AUG. 10-11

Konz-Krettnach (54329) — This walk is due south of Trier and fairly convenient for readers in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62, 1 and 602 to Trier. Continue on B-51 to Konz and follow IVV directional signs to the start at Krettnach. From Baumholder, begin by getting on Autobahn 1 in the direction of Trier, then connect with B-51 to Konz and the start.
Start: Bürgerhaus
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km) and 7-11 a.m. (30 km)
Trail: Flat (5 km) or hilly with scenic views, woods and fields
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF AUG. 17-18

Clausen (66978) — This event is south of Kaiserslautern and should be rather enjoyable. From Kaiserslautern, use B-270 south toward Pirmasens. Connect with secondary roads at Waldfischbach-Burgalben leading to Donsieders and Clausen.
Start: Gräfensteinturnalle on Jahnweg
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: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF AUG. 24-25

Grosbliederstroff, France (57520) — This one-day French event is found due south of Saarbrücken and almost literally on the border. 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 N61 in France; Grosbliederstroff is on N61.
Start: Salle de Jeux et Loisires on Rue des Fermes
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Lambsborn (66894) — This walk is just down the road from Landstuhl. From the KMC, take Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Bruchmühlbach-Miesau. Briefly use a secondary road toward Bruchmühlbach to connect with a minor road leading to Lambsborn.
Start: Dorfgemeinschaftshaus on Am Fehrborn
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF AUG. 31-SEPT. 1

Carling, France (57490) — This event is on the French border southwest of Saarbrücken and north of St. Avold. Volksmarchers will find the event easily reached via Autobahn 6. From the KMC, use A-6 past Saarbrücken toward the border, continuing toward Metz using the French autobahns A320 and A4. Use the Carling exit and follow FFSP signs to the start.
Start: Centre Sportif et Socioculturel on Rue de la Frontiètr
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown, expect wooded areas
Award: None.

Kirchberg (55481) — Enjoy seeing the Hunsrück region’s oldest town in one of Germany’s most scenic areas. From Baumholder, head east using the road bordering the training area to reach B-420 toward Bad Kreuznach. Connect with B-270 and B-41 toward Kirn, and B-421 north to Kirchberg.
Start: Stadthalle on Gartenstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Slightly hilly (with a steep hill following the last control); neighborhoods, woods and fields
Award: From previous events.

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.

WEEKEND OF SEPT. 7-8

Willerwald, France (57430) — This event is south of Saarbrücken and easily reached from the KMC by autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A32. Connect with the A4 toll road toward Strasbourg and use the Sarreguemines (42) exit. Take D661 a short distance to the start at Willerwald.
Start: Salle Socioculturelle on Rue de la Croix
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11

Bockenau (55595) — This event is due west of Bad Kreuznach on the year-round, permanent Hunsrück trail system. From Bad Kreuznach, use B-41 toward Kirn to pick up an unnumbered road at Waldböckelheim to head northwest to Bockenau. From Baumholder, use the road bordering the training area to reach B-420 and B-270 for the connection with B-41.
Start: Bockenauer-Schweiz-Halle on Waldböckelheimer Straße
Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Fairly hilly, woods
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF SEPT. 14-15

Forstfeld, France (67480) — This event is on the border east of Haguenau and northwest of Baden-Baden, Germany. Yes, it’s quite distant from the KMC but offers the opportunity to visit Haguenau, Soufflenheim and Strasbourg in France as well as Baden-Baden. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim (33) to take B-424 south where it becomes D35A in France. Connect with N62 to Haguenau and N63 through Soufflenheim to Rountzenheim. Connect with a minor road to Roppenheim and another minor road to reach Forstfeld. An alternative route from the KMC via autobahn would be A-6 toward Mannheim, A-61 toward Ludwigshafen and A-65 toward Wörth. Exit at Kandel-Süd (22) to use B-9 into France and the A35 autobahn to exit 56 and Forstfeld.
Start: Salle Polyvalente
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Kerbach, France (57460) — This French volksmarch, just across the border southwest of Saarbrücken, is easily reached by autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A32. Use the Forbach-Centre exit (44) and D31 to Behren-lès-Forbach to connect with D31B and the start at Kerbach.
Start: Complexe Sportif on Rue du Stade
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Montbronn, France (57415) — This Marche Populaire event is south of Zweibrücken in France. Wanderers from the KMC area willing to make the drive will enjoy walking trails in France. 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 a secondary road near Bitche to follow it through Lemberg and Enchenberg to reach Montbronn.
Start: Salle polyvalente
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
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, 11, and 20 km), 7 a.m. to noon (30 km) and 7-9 a.m. (42)
Trail: Two shorter trails are stroller-friendly, other trails are unknown
Award: From previous events or patch and certificate (marathon).

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18

Kirn-Sulzbach (55606) — This midweek walk is just down the road from Idar-Oberstein making it possible for Baumholder’s volksmarchers to enjoy the event if they can get away from work a little early. From Baumholder, head east using the road bordering the training area to reach B-420 toward Bad Kreuznach. Connect with B-270 toward Idar-Oberstein, and B-41 toward Bad Kreuznach to reach the start at Kirn-Sulzbach. From Wiesbaden, use Autobahn A-60 to Bad Kreuznach and continue west on B-41.
Start: Gasthaus Collet at Oldenburgerstr. 2
Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Trail: Hilly, fields and woods
Award: None.

Questions? Send email to volksmarch@gmail.com.