Take a Hike

Volksmarching Notes
» Interested in volksmarching but not sure how things work? Send an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com with the subject “Getting started.”

» Both volksmarching calendars are now available for purchase. The calendar for volksmarching in Germany, Terminliste 2012, may be obtained for €2.50 and provides dates, locations, points of contact and other information as well as an extensive list of permanent trails. The international edition of the IVV calendar, available for €5, provides the same information for scheduled events in each of the member countries, including Germany. This useful book ― perfect for trips to the states or neighboring countries ― is available from the IVV awards officer or through some clubs.

» 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.

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

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

» Thanks goes to Richard and Donna Glenn and Pat Patterson for sending brochures. Their contributions in particular help keep readers informed about volksmarch events.

» Readers participating in French volksmarch events are reminded to bring their passports in case of a border check.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Menchhoffen, France (67340) — This event is south of Bitche and west of Haguenau. It’ll require a fair amount of driving but there are a number of scenic roads and it should make for a pleasant time. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim to take B-424 south where it becomes D35A in France. Connect with N62 toward Haguenau. At Niederbronn-les-Bains, take D28 to Ingwiller via Zinswiller and Rothbach. Pick up D919 leading to Menchhoffen and the start.
Start: Salle polyvalente on Route d’Uttwiller
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF FEB. 4-5
Eimersdorf/Saar (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 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis and Merzig and exit at Rehlingen. Use secondary roads through Siersburg to reach Eimersdorf.
Start: Dorfgemeinschaftshaus at Im Steinrisser 2
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Kleinich/Hunsrück (54483) — This event is north-northwest of Idar-Oberstein and fairly accessible to volksmarchers in other locations. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 toward Trier, exit at Reinsfeld, and take B-327 toward Hahn Airport. After passing the B-50 intersection, turn off B-327 onto a minor road leading to the start at Kleinich.
Start: Gemeindehaus at Orts Straße 53
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (6, 10 and 15 km)
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 10 and 15 km)
Trails: Hilly, wooded areas
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF FEB. 18-19
Schwalbach-Griesborn (66773) — Wanderers will find this Saarland event northwest of Saarbrücken and easily reached by autobahn from the Landstuhl/Ramstein area. From Ramstein and Landstuhl, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis to reach the Schwalbach/Schwarzenholz exit, then follow secondary roads through Sprengen and Schwalbach to reach Griesborn.
Start: Gemeindesaalbau at Hauptstraße 90
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown but expect somewhat hilly, woods
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF FEB. 25-26
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (91541) — This walk explores the medieval walled-city of Rothenburg. The Saturday-only 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 discounts on admission are offered by a number of museums and attractions by showing your IVV start card. Use Autobahns 5, 6 and 7 past Heidelberg, Heilbronn and Crailsheim in order to reach Rothenburg. Alternately, Autobahns 3 and 7 via Würzburg and Kitzingen may be used.
Start: Sporthalle at Erlbacher Straße 5
Saturday: 7 a.m. to noon (6, 11 and 21 km outside of city) and noon to 4 p.m. (11 km old-city trail)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (21 km)
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 3-4
Geislautern (66333) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken and should be within volksmarching range of wanderers in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Use Autobahns 6 and 620 to Saarbrücken and Völklingen. Exit at Geislautern and follow directional signs to the start hall.
Start: Dorfgemainschaftshaus at the Schloßparkschule
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF MARCH 10-11
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 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis and Merzig and exit at Rehlingen. Use secondary roads through Büren to reach Hemmersdorf.
Start: Grenzlandhalle on Niedaltdorfer Straße
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 km) Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (15 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Queidersbach (66851) — This event is southeast of Ramstein and easily reached by autobahn. From Kaiserslautern, head south about 5 km on B-270 to connect with a minor road leading to the start at Queidersbach.
Start: Sport- und Mehrzweckhalle at Jahnstraße 11
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

L’Hôpital, 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 take N33 (Route de Carling) north a short distance. Exit onto Rue Principale and briefly follow it to a possible roundabout where you’ll pick up D26 which goes through a series of names to eventually become Rue de la Gare, upon which the start is located.
Start: Centre Sportif du Puits 2 on Rue de la Gare
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown, expect wooded areas
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF MARCH 17-18
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. Volksmarchers in Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl will use Autobahns 62, 1 and 602 to Trier. Trier-Ehrang has its own exit off of Autobahn 602 as drivers approach Trier. Watch carefully for IVV directional signs.
Start: Turnhalle at Oberstraße 8 in the Trier suburb of Ehrang
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 11 and 20 km)
Trail: Hilly, woods and fields
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF MARCH 24-25
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night!

Petite Rosselle, France (57540) — 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 as it becomes A320 in France. Use Forbach exit #42 and follow D31E and D31 to the start at Petite Rosselle.
Start: Espace La Concorde
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

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