Take a Hike

VOLKSMARCHING NOTES

– As previously mentioned, a unique and interesting event requiring preregistration by Oct. 25 is the first-ever event at Merkers, located approximately 3 hours northeast of Kaiserslautern. This Saturday, Nov. 23, volksmarch will take place approximately 500-800 meters underground! Trails of 8-, 16-, and 22-km will be offered, as will a hardhat. You’ll need to bring your own flashlight and spare batteries, however. Total cost of the event is €20 for each participant and includes the start card, cable car ride, tour of the world’s unique crystal cave, and a certificate.

Registration payment may be made by bank transfer (Überweisung) to Wanderfreunde Glueckauf, account number (Kontonummer) 100105236, and bank number (Bankleitzahl) 53261342. Ensure you’ve listed the names of the participants in the memorandum lines (Verwendungszweck).

The event brochure is available as a .pdf file by writing me at volksmarch@gmail.com with the subject “Merkers.”

– If you live in the KMC area, you may wish to discover the fun of participation in a volksmarch club. The Ramstein Roadrunners is one of three remaining active American clubs in Germany. (The Stuttgart German-American Wandering Club and Wiesbaden International Wandering Club being the other two.)

Learn more at the club’s Web site, www.avaclubs.org/ramsteinroadrunners, or by e-mail at ramsteinroadrunners@yahoo.com.

Better yet, join them at their General Membership meetings which are held monthly on the third Tuesday at Burgschänke Landstuhl (Burgweg 1, 66849 Landstuhl). The Social Hour begins at 6 p.m. and is followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.

– KMC area volksmarchers have the unique situation in which a second volksmarch club, the Kaiserslautern Sunny Coyotes, is available nearby. While the club no longer plays host to its own events, they regularly get together to enjoy volksmarching. You’ll find more information on their Web site, www.sunny-coyote.de, or via e-mail at  info@sunny-coyote.de.

This club’s monthly meetings take place at the Hotel Restaurant Pfeffermühle (Beethovenstrasse 40, 66849 Landstuhl (Atzel). Join them for dinner at 6 p.m. before the meeting’s start at 7 p.m. (I can personally recommend the restaurant’s Elsässer Flammkuchen!)

– 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 & Cheryl Patterson, and Bob & Pat Kiebler for providing event brochures.

– 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 KA’ in the subject line.

THURSDAY, OCT. 3

Düppenweiler (66701) — This midweek, German holiday walk benefits Cystic Fibrosis research. Although its location northwest of Saarbrücken and northeast of Saarlouis is a bit distant, it is still reachable for volksmarchers able take leave from work. As an incentive for challenge-seeking wanderers, the club offers its second half-marathon. From the Baumholder area, use Autobahns 62 and 1 toward Nonnwieler and Saarbrücken, exit at Eppelborn (141) and use B-10 and B-269 past Lebach. Connect with a minor road at Bettstadt to Piesbach and Düppenweiler. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarbrücken and Trier. Exit at Eppelborn (141) to use B-10, B-269 and the same minor roads to reach the start.
Start: Kulter- und Sporthalle on Pfarrer-Gierend-Straße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 7 a.m. to noon (15 and 16 km) and 7-11 a.m. (21 km)
Trail: Unknown, but expect hilly trails, woods
Award: The satisfaction of knowing €0.95 of your start fee goes to the research.

Runkel/Lahn (65594) — This Thursday event brings wanderers to the Limburg area for the annual “Germany Wanders – Germany Helps” campaign to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Research. The walk is north of Wiesbaden and east of Limburg. Use Autobahn 3 toward Köln. Exit at Limburg-Süd (43), use B-8 through Lindenholzhausen and Niederbrechen, then pick up a secondary road to reach the start at Runkel.
Start: Altstadt-Café Runkel
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to noon (6 and 11 km)
Trail: Hilly, woods and fields
Award: The satisfaction of knowing €0.95 of your start fee goes to the research.

WEEKEND OF OCT. 5-6

Marpingen (66646) — This Saarland event is easily reached by autobahn from the area’s American communities. 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). Follow a secondary road through Dirmingen and Berschweiler to the start. From Kaiserslautern, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarbrücken and Trier to reach the Eppelborn exit (141) and the minor roads leading to Marpingen.
Start: Schulzentrum on Marien Straße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Morbach-Bischofsdhron (54497) — This event is close to Idar-Oberstein and offers a variety of trail lengths as well as a marathon trail for challenge-seeking wanderers. From Baumholder, take a minor road west to Neubrücke to pick up B-269. Drive north to Morbach to find directional signs leading to the start at Bischofsdhron.
Start: Gemeindehaus at Zur Rau 2
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 km), 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Hilly, woods
Award: None.

Narbéfontaine, France (57220) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken and midway between St. Avold (site of a beautiful American military cemetery) and Metz (very nice tourist attraction). From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 toward Saarbrücken; it changes to A32 once across the border. Continue toward Metz where it picks up A4. Exit at Boulay (38), turn right at the end of the ramp onto D19, and turn right again at the first opportunity to do. Follow this minor road as it doubles back and parallels the A4 autobahn. Turn right at the end of this road, turn left at the end of this new road, and follow it into the town of Narbéfontaine. FFSP directional signs should be present to assist the driver.
Start: Foyer de Narbéfontaine
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Rexingen, France (67320) — This Saturday volksmarch, found south-southeast of Saarbrücken, is reached relatively easily by autobahn. Note its late afternoon and evening start times. 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 Sarre-Union exit (43). Pick up D1061 at the end of the ramp and head south through Windhof. Turn left onto the D96 secondary road (Rue Principale), right onto D179 (Rue de la Poste), and left onto D340 (Rue Principale) which leads to Rexingen. Start: Salle polyvalente
Saturday: 3-8 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

Wiesviller, France (57200) — This walk is south of Saarbrücken and just on the other side of the border. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and toward Zweibrücken. Exit at Einöd to use B-423 toward Sarreguemines. After crossing the border, connect with N62 toward Bitche to find a minor road to Wiesviller and the start.
Start: Salle polyvalente
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9

Mainz-Gonsenheim (55124) — This midweek walk is easily reached via autobahn and is just north of Mainz. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim, 63 toward Mainz, 60 toward Bingen, and 643 toward Wiesbaden to reach the Mainz-Gonsenheim exit. You’ll find IVV signs directing you to the start adjacent to a wildlife refuge.
Start: Karl-Geib-Haus at Kapellenstraße 44
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (6 km) and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Flat, mostly stroller-friendly trails, woods.
Award: From previous events.

WEEKEND OF OCT. 12-13

Allenbach (55758) — Just up the road from Idar-Oberstein and Neubrücke is the event at Allenbach. From Baumholder, follow a minor road to Neubrücke, then north on B-269 to B-422 and Allenbach. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 to the Birkenfeld exit (4). Take B-269 north toward Morbach to connect with B-422 toward Idar-Oberstein and the start at Allenbach.
Start: Gemeindehaus on Hauptstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Hilly, mostly woods
Award: From previous events.

Heidelberg-Emmertsgrund (69126) — This event is south of Heidelberg and east of the now-closed Patrick Henry Village. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim and Stuttgart, 656 toward Heidelberg, and 5 toward Basel. Exit at Heidelberg-Schwetzingen (38) and follow signs toward Leimen. Use a secondary road leading to Emmertsgrund and the parking area.
Start: Bürgerhaus with parking shuttle from Fabrik Heidelberger Leben AG at Forum 7 in HD-Emmertsgrund
Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 km)
Trail: Mostly flat, fields and some woods
Award: None.

Wiesbaden-Frauenstein (65201) — With its location near the Wiesbaden Garrison’s Rheinblick Golf Course, consider tossing your clubs in the trunk and get some practice in at the driving range or putting green after walking the trails. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim, 63 toward Mainz, 60 toward Bingen, 643 toward Wiesbaden, and 66 toward Rüdesheim. Take the Frauenstein exit (2) and follow IVV directional signs on the minor roads leading to Frauenstein and Alfred-Delp-Straße.
Start: Alfred-Delp-Schule at Alfred-Delp-Str. 53
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 8 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown but expect somewhat hilly, wooded areas and neighborhoods
Award: None.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16

Eguelshardt, France (57230) — This midweek event is southeast of Bitche and offers a long, but fairly pleasant drive to France that avoids autobahns. From the KMC, take B-270 south through Pirmasens, Niedersimten, Obesimten, Trulben and Schweix. Continue into France on D86B to Bitche, then pickup D662 through Stockbronn to reach Eguelshardt.
Start: Salle socioculturelle
Wednesday: 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 OCT. 19-20

Hohenöllen/Pfalz (67744) — Too distant for most readers, this event is closest to wanderers from Baumholder and the KMC. 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 the KMC, 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.

Morbach (54497) — This event is northwest of Idar-Oberstein and within a reasonable distance from Baumholder. Morbach is on B-327 just north of the junction with B-269. Use B-422 from Idar-Oberstein to reach B-269. From Baumholder, connect with B-41/269 to head north on B-269 to reach Morbach.
Start: Baldenauhalle on Jahnstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Hilly, woods
Award: None.

FRIDAY, OCT. 25

Merkers (36430) — Registration deadline for the Nov. 23 event the Wiesbaden International Wandering Club has dubbed the “Merkers Miners March.” The €20 fee includes start card, cable car ride, tour of the world’s unique crystal cave, and a certificate. Registration payment may be made by bank transfer (Überweisung) to Wanderfreunde Glueckauf, account number (Kontonummer) 100105236, and bank number (Bankleitzahl) 53261342. Ensure you’ve listed the names of the participants in the memorandum lines (Verwendungszweck).

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!

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 obviously 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.

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

Hof/Westerwald (56472) — This holiday event is north of Limburg and west of Giessen and features the scenery of the Hoher Westerwald area. Use Autobahn 45 to the Herborn-West exit (26), then take B-255 and B-414 west to Hof.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle on Tierparkstraße
Friday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Very hilly, wooded areas
Award: None.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 2-3

Eschenburg-Eibelshausen (35713) — This Sunday event is located northwest of Giessen. From Giessen use Autobahn 45 northwest to Dillenburg, then connect with B-253 and a secondary road to the start at Eibelshausen.
Start: Bürgerhaus Eibelshausen at Jahnstraße 3
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 15 km)
Trail: Expected to be hilly, woods
Award: From previous events.

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.

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.

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.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21

Rennerod (56477) — Despite the considerable drive, wanderers who can enjoy this midweek German holiday walk will find the event in the pretty Hoher Westerwald region of central Germany. From the Giessen area use Autobahn 45 toward Herborn and Siegen and exit at Herborn-West (26). Follow B-255 to the start at Rennerod.
Start: Westerwaldhalle at Westerwaldstraße 8
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 8 a.m. to noon (15 km)
Trail: Hilly, wooded areas
Award: Decorative tea light set.

WEEKEND OF NOV. 23-24

Merkers (36430) — This first-time event takes place approximately 500-800 meters underground in a crystal mine. Merkers is approximately 3 hours northeast of Kaiserslautern and east of Bad Hersfeld. The required hardhat will be supplied but you’ll need to provide a flashlight and spare batteries. The €20 fee includes start card, cable car ride, tour of the world’s unique crystal cave, and a certificate; registration deadline was Oct. 25. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim, 63 toward Mainz, 60 toward Frankfurt, 3 toward Würzburg, 45 toward Giessen, 66 toward Fulda, 7 toward Kassel, and 4 toward Eisenach. Exit at Friedewald (33) and take B-62 through Philippsthal to the start at Merkers.
Start: Foyer des Erlebnis Bergwerk Merkers on Zufahrtstraße
Saturday: 10 a.m. to noon (8 and 16 km) and 10-11 a.m. (22 km)
Trail: Underground
Award: Certificate.

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.

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