Take A Hike

VOLKSMARCHING NOTES

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

(bullet) The postal code is included in the listings for readers using navigation devices; exit numbers are provided for those without navigation.

(bullet) 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.

(bullet) Many thanks to readers Richard and Donna Glenn, Pat and Cheryl Patterson, and (no first name on the envelope) Lynch for sending brochures. Once again, almost all of the French volksmarch events listed came courtesy of Lynch.

(bullet) Would you like to receive Take a Hike at the same time as the 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(at)gmail.com with ‘subscribe’ in the subject line. You may choose from the KA version or the Herald Union (HU) version which lists events in and between Wiesbaden and Baumholder.

(bullet) Look for additional event choices at www.wiesbaden.army.mil/hunion/Takeahike.htm.

WEEKEND OF MAY 12-13

Dudweiler (66125) — This event, with its variety of trails, is northeast of Saarbrücken and easily reachable from Ramstein and Kaiserslautern. From those communities, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 623 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Saarbrücken-Dudweiler. Follow IVV directional signs to the start.
Start: Bürgerhaus at Am Markt 15
Saturday and Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (5 km), 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (10 km), 6:30 a.m. to noon (15 and 21 km) and 6:30-9 a.m. (42 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None (shorter trails) or patch and certificate (marathon).

MONDAY, MAY 14

Saverne, France (67700) — While distant, the drive is almost entirely on autobahns (albeit a toll road in France) and should be relatively painless to reach. Saverne is not too far from Strasbourg or Haguenau if 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 A 32. Connect with the A 4 toward Strasbourg and use the Saverne exit (45). Follow directional signs to the start.
Start: Stade du Haut-Barr “Adrien Zeller”
Monday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

THURSDAY, MAY 17

Siersburg-Saar (66780) — This event on Germany’s Father’s Day is northwest of Saarlouis and available to KMC’s wanderers with a day’s leave from work. Use Autobahns 6 and 8 past Saarbrücken and Saarlouis. Exit at Rehlingen (7) and take a secondary road leading to the start at Siersburg.
Start: Niedtalhalle on Zur Niedtalhalle
Thursday: 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.

WEEKEND OF MAY 19-20

Brücken (66904) — This Saarland event is just northwest of Miesau and easily reached by wanderers in various American communities. From the KMC area, use Autobahn 6 toward Neunkirchen. Take the Bruchmühlbach-Miesau exit (11) and follow secondary roads through Schönenberg-Miesau to B-423 and Brücken.
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: None.

Niederkail (54526) — This club’s walk has always been highly recommended for the friendly nature of the event as well as for its scenic trails through the surrounding countryside. With the location east of Spangdahlem Air Base, it’s not too far for volksmarchers in the KA readership area. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62 and 60 toward Trier, Koblenz and Spangdahlem. Exit at Landsheid (9) and use B-50 to reach the start at Niederkail.
Start: Kailbachhalle on Brückenstraße
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trails: Hilly, fields and woods
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 6 and 8 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.

WEEKEND OF MAY 26-28

Erckartswiller, France (67290) — This French volksmarch requires a bit of driving but lends itself to the exploration of the town of Haguenau, all of which requires time off from work given its Monday date. The event is south of Zweibrücken and roughly midway between that city and Strasbourg. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A 32. Connect with the A 4 toll road toward Strasbourg and use the Sarre-Union exit (43). Follow D 1061 to Drulingen and Asswiller to pick up D 9 past Petersbach. Connect with D 7 at La Petite-Pierre and drive in the direction of Weiterswiller and Sparsbach. At the D 7 and D 113 split, take a minor road to the start at Erckartswiller.
Start: Hangar de la batteuse
Monday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Gladbach (54518) — If you don’t mind making the drive to Bitburg or Spangdahlem, then here’s another event in that area on the German holidays of Pfingstsonntag and Pfingstmontag. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62 and 60 toward Trier, Koblenz and Spangdahlem. Exit at Wittlich-West (10) and use secondary roads through Dreis and Heidweiler to reach Gladbach.
Start: Heckenlandhalle at Peter-Mergen Straße 2
Sunday and Monday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trails: Unknown but expect hilly, fields and woods
Award: None.

Longuich-Kirsch (54340) — Look for this event, located on the Mosel River northeast of Trier, to be an option for volksmarchers in the KMC. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62 and 1 toward Trier. Take the Mehring exit (131) and follow the secondary road through Fell to Longuich.
Start: Festhall Haubrich at Weinstraße 3
Saturday: 9 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)
Trails: Unknown but expect somewhat hilly, woods
Award: None.

Sitterswald (66271) — You’ll find this walk on the French-German border south of Saarbrücken near the town of Kleinblittersdorf. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 and 620 to Saarbrücken. Take the first exit (unknown name and number but should indicate B-51) to connect with B-51 at the end of the ramp and turn left to head south toward Sarreguemines. Immediately after leaving Kleinblittersdorf (and before entering Auersmacher), turn left onto Kappellenstraße to follow it and IVV signs to the Sitterswald start.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle on Nauwieserstraße
Saturday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 15 km)
Sunday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 15 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Strasbourg-Cronenbourg, France (67200) — This event requires a long drive — there’s no way around that — but it’s worth the effort to spend the day in the beautiful and interesting city of Strasbourg. From the KMC, take Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken toward Metz, then French Autobahn 4 to Strasbourg. Use the Cronenbourg exit (51) and follow Marche Populaire signs to the start in this Strasbourg neighborhood.
Start: Gymnase du Rieth on Rue du Rieth
Saturday: 1-7 p.m. (11 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 2-3

Differten (66787) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 620 past Saarbrücken and toward Saarlouis. Exit at Wadgassen (4b) 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.

Ober-Ramstadt/Rohrbach (64372) — The club of which I’m a member celebrates 25 years with this very scenic event. Participants will enjoy the beautiful Odenwald countryside in the comfortable temperatures of early summer. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 toward Mannheim, Autobahn 67 toward Darmstadt, and exit at Lorsch (9) to use B-47 toward Michelstadt. Pick up Autobahn 5 toward Darmstadt to then exit at Darmstart-Eberstadt (27). IVV signs will lead to the start at Rohrbach.
Start: Bürgerhaus Rohrbach at Dr.-Horst-Schmidt-Straße 2
Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 11 and 20 km)
Trail: Somewhat hilly, fields
Award: From previous events.

Reichweiler (66871) — This walk may be found literally just down the road from the Baumholder community. It’s a pretty area and easy to find. From the KMC, take Autobahns 6 and 62 toward Trier and exit at Reichweiler (6).
Start: Dorfgemeinschaftshaus
Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 6 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trails: Hilly, wooded areas and fields
Award: Beer mug.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 9-10

Schwedelbach (67685) — With this event just a short 6 kilometers north of Ramstein, and a fair number of Americans living in town, there’s really no excuse not to participate. 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: Slightly hilly, woods and fields
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 16-17

Kordel (54306) — Wanderers will find this event north of Trier, Germany’s oldest city. From Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl, use Autobahns 6, 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 on Friedhofstraße
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.

St Jean-Saverne, France (66700) — This French volksmarch puts participants within easy reach of Strasbourg where one may enjoy a meal and sightseeing. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A 32. Connect with the A 4 toll road toward Strasbourg and use the Saverne exit (45). Use D 716 and D 619 to reach the start at St Jean-Saverne.
Start: Salle polyvalente on Route de Monswiller
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 23-24

Cocheren, France (57800) — This event is just west of the French border southwest of Saarbrücken and east 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. While the brochure suggests the use of exit 41, a review of Google maps indicates an easier method might be to use exit 42. Take N3 in the direction of Merlebach and D29 south to Cocheren.
Start: Salle Schumann at the Place de la Fontaine
Sunday: 7 a.m. to noon (10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Heimbach/Nahe (55779) — Wanderers will find this enjoyable walk midway between Neubrücke and Baumholder. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 to the Birkenfeld exit (4), then follow a minor road through Hoppstädten-Weiersbach to Heimbach.
Start: Besenbinderhalle on In der Au
Saturday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Trails: Hilly, wooded areas
Award: None.

Holz/Saar (66265) — This Saarland event is north of Saarbrücken and west of Neunkirchen. From the Kaiserslautern/Ramstein 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. From the Baumholder area, use Autobahns 62 and 1 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Quierschied (144). Follow signs a short distance to 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.

WEEKEND OF JUNE 30-JULY 1

Schwollen (55767) — This walk is due west of Idar-Oberstein and offers a variety of trail lengths. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 to the Birkenfeld exit (4). Take B-269 north to a secondary road leading through Hattgenstein to reach Schwollen.
Start: Sportheim SV Schwollen on Am Sportplatz
Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 12 km), 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km), 6-9 a.m. (42 km) and 6-8 a.m. (50 km)
Trail: Unknown, expect fairly hilly, woods
Award: Stone swan figurine (shorter trails) or patch and certificate (marathon trails).

WEEKEND OF JULY 7-8

Altrich (54518) — If you don’t mind making the drive to Bitburg or Spangdahlem, then here’s an event in that area. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62 and 60 toward Trier, Koblenz and Spangdahlem. Exit at Wittlich-Mitte (125) and follow signs for Bernkastel-Kues and Altrich. From Bitburg, use Autobahn 60 and exit at Wittlich-West (10). Head toward Wittlich and follow signs for Altrich.
Start: Altreia-Halle on Schulstraße
Sunday: 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 11 km) and 6:30-11 a.m. (20 km)
Trails: Unknown but expect hilly, fields and woods
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF JULY 14-15

Otterberg-Drehenthalerhof (67697) — This event is located just a few kilometers north of Kaiserslautern and west of Sembach.
From the KMC area, take Autobahn 6’s 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.

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