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Weekend of March 5-6
• Oberbexbach (66450) — This Saarland event is in the area roughly between Ramstein and Saarbruecken. From Baumholder, use Autobahn 62 toward Landstuhl and connect with Autobahn 6 toward Saarbruecken. Exit at Homburg (9) to use secondary roads to reach Oberbexbach. From Ramstein and Landstuhl, use Autobahn 6 to reach the Homburg exit (9), then use secondary roads to the start.
Start: Volkshaus at Frankenholzer Str. 69 Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 km) Trails: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of March 12-13
• Aschbach bei Lebach (66822) — This event, due north of Saarbruecken, is about 45 minutes from Baumholder and slightly less than an hour from the KMC. From Baumholder, use Autobahns 62 and 1 toward Nonnwieler and Saarbruecken, then exit at Tholey (140). Take B269 to Aschbach and the start. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 toward Saarbruecken and Trier. Exit at Tholey (140) and follow B269 to Aschbach.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle on Koblenzer Strasse Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) Trail: Hilly trails, woods and some fields Award: None.
• Mertert, Luxembourg (L-6686) — This event is down the road from Trier and just across the border making it a reasonably easy drive from the KMC. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken, 62 and 1 to Trier, and 64 to the border. Continue onto Autoroute A1 to the Mertert exit (14). Follow IVV signs to Mertert and the start.
Start: Centre Culturel Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (16 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Sien (55758) — Not too far from Baumholder, this event offers a variety of trail distances. From Baumholder, use the minor road bordering the training area to connect with B420. Head toward Bad Kreuznach to pick up B270 toward Idar-Oberstein and Sien. From the KMC, head north about 45 km on B270 to Sien and the start.
Start: Turnhalle at Kirner Strasse 6 Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 7 a.m. to noon (20 km) and 7-10 a.m. (30 km) Trail: Hilly, mostly woods Award: None.
Weekend of March 19-20
• Brouch (Mersch), Luxembourg (L-7416) — This event, north-northwest of Luxembourg City, is roughly a two-hour drive from the KMC. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken, 62 and 1 to Trier, and 602 and 64 to the Luxembourg border. Continue on Motorway A1/E44 toward Luxembourg City, exit onto A7/E29 toward Echternach, exit onto CR126 and CR 125 to Walferdange. Connect with N7 north toward Lintgen, then pick up A7 toward Mersch. Use Exit 4 to pick up N8 toward Reckange/Saeul and follow that to the start at Brouch.
Start: Hall an der Koll (Stade Feidt Freres) Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 12 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Buding, France (F-57920) — This event is east of Thionville and a little more than a 90-minute drive from the KMC. Volksmarchers will find the event easily reached via autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 620 to Saarbruecken and Saarlouis. Exit Saarlouis-Mitte (3) to connect with B405 toward Metz. Once across the border, use D918 to Kedange-sur-Canner, then use D2 to Buding and the start.
Start: Ecole primaire at 37, rue de l’Eglise Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Differten (66787) — This walk is west of Saarbruecken. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 620 past Saarbruecken 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 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.
• Grolsheim (55459) — This walk is just south of Bingen and offers a variety of trail lengths, to include a 42-km marathon. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim, 63 toward Mainz, and 61 toward Koblenz. Exit at Bad Kreuznach (51) and follow B41 to Gensingen, and B50 to Grolsheim and the start.
Start: Nahelandhalle at Aspisheimer Weg 32 Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5, 10 and 15 km), 7 a.m. to noon (21 and 31 km) and 7-9 a.m. (42 km) Trails: Shorter trails are mostly flat, longer trails are hilly; fields, local neighborhoods and some woods Award: Certificate and patch (marathon).
• Petite-Rosselle, France (F-57540) — This event is on the French border southwest of Saarbruecken and north of St. Avold. Volksmarchers will find the event easily reached via autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbruecken toward the border, continuing toward Metz as it becomes
A320/E50 in France. Use the 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.
• 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. From Baumholder, head toward Autobahn 1 and connect with it at Freisen, then use Autobahns 1 and 602 to Trier. From the KMC, use Autobahns 62, 1 and 602 to Trier.
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.
Good Friday, March 25
• Urexweiler (66646) — This holiday event in the Saarland area west of the KMC will require a day off from work in order enjoy the walk here. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 8 and 1 to reach the Eppelborn exit (141), then use a minor road through Dirmingen to reach the start.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle at Im Bruehl 1 Friday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (16 and 21 km) Trail: Unknown but expect fairly hilly, woods and fields Award: None.
Easter Monday, March 28
• Morbach-Bischofsdhron (54497) — This walk celebrates Easter Monday with an event close to Idar-Oberstein. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken and 62 toward Trier. Exit at Birkenfeld (4) to use B41 to connect with B269. Follow B269 north to Morbach and the start at Bischofsdhron. From Baumholder, use minor roads to Birkenfeld and B269. Head north to the towns of Morbach and Bischofsdhron to reach the start.
Start: Gemeindehaus at Zur Rau 2 Monday: 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; short trail has been stroller-friendly in the past Award: None.
• Talange, France (F-57525) — This event is north of Metz and a long drive from the KMC, but one which takes you past St. Avold and its American Military Cemetery. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbruecken to the border. Continue on French Autoroutes A320/E50 and A4/E25 toward Metz. Connect with A31/E25 north of Metz in the direction Thionville and exit at Talange (36). Follow IVV signs to the start.
Start: Salle Maurice Baquet on Place des fetes Monday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10, 15 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of April 2-3
• Kirchberg (55481) — Enjoy seeing the Hunsrueck 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 B420 toward Bad Kreuznach. Connect with B270 and B41 toward Kirn, and B421 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: None.
Weekend of April 9-10
• Florange, France (F-57190) — This event is roughly midway between Metz and Luxembourg city. The drive from the KMC will take at least 90 minutes but it does offer the opportunity to stop at St. Avold for a visit to the beautiful, but sobering, American Military Cemetery. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbruecken to the border. Continue on French Autoroutes A320/E50 and A4/E25 (toll road with automated collection points) toward Metz. Connect with A31 toward Thionville and A30 toward Longwy. Take exit 2 in the direction of Florange and follow IVV signs to the start.
Start: Complexe de Betange at 16 rue de l’etoile Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Kalhausen, France (F-57412) — This Marche Populaire event is south of Saarbruecken in France. Wanderers from the KMC area will have a bit of a drive (should be less than 90 minutes) to reach this walk. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 to Saarbruecken and take the B51 exit toward Guedingen and the border. Continue onto D82, D919, and D33 as the secondary roads parallel the winding Sarre River. Connect with D83 and take it into Kalhausen and the start.
Start: Salle polyvalente on rue de la Liberation Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Linger, Luxembourg (L-4797) — This event is west-southwest of Luxembourg City with the drive slightly less than two hours from the KMC. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbruecken, Saarlouis, Merzig and Perl. Continue across the border onto Autoroute A13 west toward Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette and Petange. Connect onto N31 and follow IVV signs a short distance to the start.
Start: Centre Societaire at 20, rue de la Liberation Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 11 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Wednesday, April 13
• Hohenoellen/Pfalz (67744) — This midweek event is closest to wanderers from Baumholder and Kaiserslautern (both about 40 minutes). The start times may accommodate those who couldn’t take the day off work. From Baumholder, head east toward Lauterecken using the minor road bordering the training area to reach B420 at Rathsweiler. Take B420 to Lauterecken, then B270 south to Heinzenhausen to pick up another secondary road a short distance to Hohenoellen. From Kaiserslautern, use B270 north through Katzweiler and Wolfstein, then use a minor road through Oberweiler-Tiefenbach and Einoellen to the start.
Start: Radsporthalle at Am Heidchen 6 Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (20 km and cycling) Trail: Hilly walking trails, woods and fields; 30-km asphalt cycling trail Award: None.
Weekend of April 16-17
• Bazoncourt, France (F-57530) — This event is roughly southeast of Metz. The drive from the KMC will take less than 90 minutes but it does pass by St. Avold and its beautiful American Military Cemetery. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbruecken to the border. Continue on French Autoroutes A320/E50 and A4/E25 (toll road with automated collection points) toward Metz. Take Exit 38 toward Boulay, use D19 to Varize, then D103M to Courcelles Chaussy, and D603 and D71 to Bazoncourt.
Start: Salle du Foyer Rural on Rue de Courten Sunday: 7 a.m. to noon (10, 15 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Hermesdorf (54636) — This is one of the few events actually near Bitburg, more accurately northwest of the base housing area and near Stausee Bitburg (Bitburg Reservoir). Volksamarchers will find four trails of various distances winding through the picturesque area. From Baumholder, use Autobahns 62, 1 and 60 north to exit at Landscheid, take B50 to Bitburg and connect with a minor road toward Wissmannsdorf and Hermesdorf. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6, 62, 1 and 60 toward Trier and Wittlich. Exit at Landscheid, use B50 through Bitburg and connect with a road toward Wissmannsdorf and Hermesdorf.
Start: Westeifelwerke at Unter den Birken 2 Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 and 20 km) Trail: Expect hilly, wooded areas; 6-km trail is stroller-friendly Award: None.
• Rettel, France (F-57480) — This event is northeast of Thionville and due west of Merzig, Germany. The drive is slightly less than 90 minutes from the KMC. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbruecken, Saarlouis, Merzig and Perl. Continue across the Luxembourg border on Autoroute A13 and exit at Schengen (13), connect with N10 south to the French border and, after crossing, continue on D64F, D654 and D61 to Rettel.
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.
Weekend of April 23-24
• Bockenau (55595) — This event is due west of Bad Kreuznach on the year-round, permanent Hunsrueck trail system. From Baumholder, use the minor road adjacent to the training area to reach B420 toward Bad Kreuznach. Connect with B270 toward Idar-Oberstein and B41 toward Bad Kreuznach. Pick up the secondary road at Waldboeckelheim that leads to the start at Bockenau.
Start: Bockenauer-Schweiz-Halle on Waldboeckelheimer Strasse Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km), 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) and 7-11 a.m. (30 km) Trail: Fairly hilly, woods Award: None.
• Falck, France (F-57550) — This event is southwest of Saarlouis and just across the French border; a little more than an hour’s drive from Kaiserslautern. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 past Saarbruecken and 620 toward Saarlouis. Exit at Ensdorf (4b) in the direction of Ueberherrn and pick up B269n toward Creutzwald and the border. After crossing into France, continue on N33 and D23B toward the start at Falck.
Start: Salle Remy Schaefer at 1, rue de la Gare Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Moutfort, Luxembourg (L-5335) — This event is east of Luxembourg City, making it about 90 minutes from the KMC. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken and toward Saarlouis. Take the Perl exit (2) to connect with B419 north to Nennig, then take B406 to the Luxembourg border. Cross the Mosel into Remich, Luxembourg, and continue on N2/E29 to Moutfort.
Start: 7, rue de Medingen Saturday and Sunday: 2:30-4 p.m. (5 and 11 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Wiesbaden-Frauenstein (65201) — This event is billed as the Cherry Blossom Walk. 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 Ruedesheim. Exit at Wiesbaden-Frauenstein (2) and follow IVV signs to the start.
Start: Alfred-Delp-Schule at Alfred-Delp-Str. 53 Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 11 km) and 8 a.m. to noon (20 km) Trail: Expect somewhat hilly, wooded areas and neighborhoods Award: None.
Volksmarching Notes
• The calendar for volksmarching in Germany, Terminliste 2016, is available for €5 at most events. This booklet lists details of events in Germany, plus a list of permanent trails. Kaiserslautern-area wanderers may also want to pick up the 2016 volksmarching calendars for France or Luxembourg; some or all of these may be available for €2 or €3 from the Rheinland-Pfalz DVV Awards Officer when present at an event.
• Also available is the IVV-Europa Jahreskalender 2016 for €10 from the DVV Awards Officer. This big book lists volksmarch events scheduled throughout Europe.
• As of this writing, there are no travel restrictions in place for neighboring countries. When considering events outside of Germany, volksmarchers are advised to check with their command for any new travel restrictions.
• Interested in volksmarching but not sure how things work? Send an email message to volksmarch@gmail.com with the subject “Getting Started KA.”
• Many thanks to Spangdahlem’s volksmarchers Pat & Cheryl Patterson and Wiesbaden’s James Meredith for providing the event brochures that help make this feature possible.
• Take a moment to grab a set of brochures from the Werber table and send them via no-cost MPS to Donald Seltzer, PSC 2 Box 10684, APO AE 09012.
• The postal code is included in the listings for readers using navigation devices. Autobahn exit numbers are being added for those without such devices. Unless noted otherwise, all events are in Germany.
• 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 KA.”
• 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.
• Look for additional event choices at www.wiesbaden.army.mil/hunion/Takeahike.htm.
• Questions? Send email to volksmarch@gmail.com.
