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Volksmarching Notes
» Interested in volksmarching but not sure how things work? A basic guide to getting started in the sport is available in PDF by sending an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com with “Getting started” written in the subject line. Also, check out Page 15 for an article on volksmarching.
» Are you walking in the Saarland area southwest of Baumholder and west of Ramstein? Send your short, firsthand descriptions of the trails (flat, hilly, wooded, fields, etc.) via e-mail to this writer.
» The Postleitzahl, or postal code, is included in the listings for readers using navigation devices to reach an event.
» Readers are asked to pick up extra event brochures whenever possible and to mail them via MPS to Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.
» Would you like to receive “Take a Hike” at the same time as the newspaper’s editor? The complete, unedited version of the monthly volksmarching feature is available in its original Word document format by sending an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com with “Subscribe” written in the subject line.
» Look for additional event choices at www.wiesbaden.army.mil/hunion/Takeahike.htm.
Saturday and Sunday
Heusweiler (66265) — This event is north of Saarbrücken and just off of autobahn A8, making it easily reachable from Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Heusweiler.
Start: Erweiterten Realschule at Schillerstr. 65
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to
1 p.m. (5, 10 and 15 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None
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. U.S. Army Garrison Hessen’s western-most communities will begin by heading toward autobahn A1. Volksmarchers in Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl will use autobahns A62, A1 and A602 direction Trier. Trier-Ehrang has its own exit off of autobahn A602 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 26 and 27
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night.
Thalexweiler (66822) — This event is southwest of Baumholder and north of Saarbrücken in the Saarland area. From the Kaiserslautern/Ramstein area, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Saarlouis and autobahn A1 toward Trier. Exit at Tholey, and drive on B-269 a short distance to Thalexweiler.
Start: Don-Bosco-Halle at Don-Bosco-Straße 6
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None
Weekend of April 2 and 3
Düppenweiler (66701) — This walk is a bit far away, but still reachable, with its location northwest of Saarbrücken and northeast of Saarlouis. From the KMC and Ramstein areas, use autobahns A6, A8 and A1 toward Saarbrücken and Trier. Exit at Eppelborn and use the B-10 and B-269 to connect with a minor road at Bettstadt leading to Piesbach and Düppenweiler.
Start: Kultur- und Sporthalle on Pfarrer-Gierend-Straße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 km), and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)
Trail: Unknown, but expect hilly trails and woods
Award: None
Schmelz (66839) — Look for this Saarland event northwest of Saarbrücken and, for the most part, reachable by autobahn. From Ramstein and Landstuhl, use autobahns A6, A8 and A1 toward Trier and exit at Eppelborn. Head to Lebach on B-10 and use B-268 to reach the start at Schmelz.
Start: Primshalle on Hoher Staden in the Industriegebiet
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown but expect somewhat hilly woods
Award: None
April 13
Hohenöllen/Pfalz (67744) — Though too distant for most readers, this midweek event is closest to Baumholder and Kaiserslautern. The start times may accommodate workers. Bike rentals are available for the cycling trail. From Kaiserslautern, use B-420 north toward Lauterecken to Heinzenhausen and the minor road to the start.
Start: Radsporthalle at Am Heidchen 6
Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5 and 10 km),
7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (cycling), and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Hilly walking trails, woods and fields; 30-km asphalt cycling trail
Award: None
Weekend of April 16 and 17
Wustweiler (66557) — This event is southwest of Baumholder and west of Kaiserslautern in the Saarland area. From the Kaiserslautern/Ramstein area, use autobahns A6, A8 and A1 toward Trier and exit at Eppelborn. Follow secondary roads to Dirmingen and Wustweiler.
Start: Seelbachhalle on Lebacher Straße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (15 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None
Easter Weekend, April 22 to 25
Namborn-Eisweiler (66640) — Here’s a Good Friday walk and one that’s a relatively short distance down the road from Neubrücke. From Landstuhl, take autobahn A62 toward Trier, exit at Freisen to use a secondary road through Eitzweiler, then connect with B-41 south to Namborn and Eisweiler.
Start: Liebenburghalle on Liebenburgstraße
Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and
7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown, but expect fairly hilly woods
Award: From previous events.
Weekend of April 30 and May 1
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 A6, A8 and A623 toward Saarbrücken and exit at Saarbrücken-Dudweiler. Follow IVV directional signs to the start.
Start: Bürgerhaus at Am Markt 115
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(5 km), 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (10 km), and 7 a.m. to noon (15 and 20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None.
Saarlouis-Roden (66740) — Though a bit distant from American bases, this Saarland walk is easily reached via autobahn. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Neunkirchen and Saarlouis. Exit at Dillingen-Süd and follow the signs to the start.
Start: Römerberg-Kulturhalle on Hochstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: None.
Weekend of May 21 and 22
Brücken (66904) — This Saarland event is just northwest of Miesau and easily reached by wanderers in various American communities. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 toward Neunkirchen and Saarlouis. Exit at Dillingen-Süd and follow the signs to the start.
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: From previous events.
(For questions, e-mail the writer at volksmarch@gmail.com.)
