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TAKE A HIKE — The Kaiserslautern Military Community’s monthly volksmarching feature.
Volksmarching Notes
• As of this writing, no travel restrictions are in place for neighboring countries. When considering participation at 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 Ramstein’s Lew Harrison & Johnette Scott 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.
• 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.
• Find additional event choices at http://www.herald-union.com/ and look for the Travel and Leisure section.
SEPTEMBER:
Weekend of Sept. 3-4
Bitche, France (F-57230) — This Marche Populaire event is south of Zweibrücken in France. Wanderers from the KMC area willing to make the drive will enjoy mountain bike routes of 17 and 30 km. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim (33) to take B424 south where it becomes D35A in France. Continue on using D620 and D35 to reach the start at Bitche.
Start: Etang du Hasselfurth on Allée Jean Goss Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km, plus cycling) Trail: Unknown Award: None Note: Unclear if mountain bike trails earn IVV credit.
Contz-les-Bains, France (F-57480) — This event is adjacent to the French border, roughly midway between Merzig, Germany, and Luxembourg City. KMC’s wanderers will find the drive is almost entirely on the autobahn making it relatively easy to reach. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 past Saarbrücken and toward Luxembourg City. After Perl, the autobahn becomes A13 once the border is crossed. Immediately after entering Luxembourg, use exit 13 to the end of the ramp and turn right onto the road designated 152. Follow this road south to France and the town of Contz-les-Bains.
Start: Mille-Club on rue du Stade Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) Trail: Unknown, expect wooded areas Award: None.
Kirn-Sulzbach (55606) — This scenic walk, with its variety of trails, is literally just down the road from Idar-Oberstein and easily reached. From Baumholder, use minor roads to reach Idar-Oberstein and B41, continuing toward Bad Kreuznach to reach the start at Kirn-Sulzbach. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 62 toward Trier, and exit at Birkenfeld (4). Take B41 through Idar-Oberstein to reach Kirn-Sulzbach.
Start: Gasthaus Collet at Oldenburger Straße 2 Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km) Trails: Hilly, fields and woods Award: None.
Weekend of Sept. 10-11
Kümbdchen (55471) — This walk is in the Hunsrück region northwest of Bingen. Volksmarchers from the KMC should use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim, 63 toward Mainz, and 61 toward Koblenz. Exit at Rheinböllen (35), take B50 toward Simmern, and pick up a minor road to the start at Kümbdchen.
Start: Turnhalle at Am Sportplatz 1 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: Somewhat hilly, woods and fields Award: Collapsible travel cup.
Meisenthal, France (F-57960) — This French volksmarching event is south of Zweibrücken and offers evening start times. The drive from the KMC will be scenic but long — about 75 minutes. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken. Exit at Zweibrücken-Ixheim (33) to take B424 south where it becomes D35A in France. Connect with D37 near Bitche to follow it through Lemberg and Goetzenbruck. Take a minor road to Meisenthal and the start.
Start: Salle des fêtes at place de la Poste Saturday: 3-8 p.m. (10 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Willerwald, France (F-57430) — This event is south of Saarbrücken and easily reached from the KMC by autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken and into France where it becomes A320. Connect with the A4 toll road toward Strasbourg and use the Sarreguemines (42) exit. Take D661 a short distance to the start at Willerwald.
Start: Salle Socioculturelle on Rue de la Croix 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 Sept. 17-18
Bertrange, Luxembourg (L-8051) — This event is west of Luxembourg City. It’s a long drive from the KMC (about 1 hour 45 minutes) but should be easily done using autobahns. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 past Saarbrücken, Saarlouis and Merzig to the border at Perl. After crossing into Luxembourg, continue west on Autoroute A13 to connect with the A3/E25 toward Luxembourg City. Connect onto A6 toward Brussels, then exit at Bertrange (5) and follow IVV signs on N5 and CR163 to the start at Bertrange.
Start: Centre Atert on rue Atert Saturday: Noon to 4 p.m. (6 and 12 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 2
Folschviller, France (F-57730) — This event is south of St. Avold and offers a variety of trails, to include a 42-km marathon. Volksmarchers will find the event easily reached via Autobahn 6. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbrücken toward the border, continuing toward Metz as it becomes A320 in France, then the A4 toll road. Use the Carling (39) exit, drive through St. Avold toward Altviller, and connect with D20 to bring you to Folschviller. Consider a visit to the American Military Cemetery at St. Avold before returning home.
Start: Centre Socio-Culturel et Sportif Marcel Martin on Rue Usson du Poitou Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km), 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (15 km), 7 a.m. to noon (20 km), 7-10 a.m. (30 km) and 7-9 a.m. (42 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None (shorter trails) or patch and certificate (marathon).
Wiesbaden-Delkenheim (65205) — This third event of the Wiesbaden International Wandering Club (WIWC) continues cementing its reputation for being one of the few remaining active American clubs. The start at Delkenheim is directly east of Clay Kaserne. From Kaiserslautern, use Autobahns 6 toward Mannheim, 63 toward Mainz, 60 toward Frankfurt, and 671 toward Wiesbaden. Exit at Hochheim-Nord (4) to pick up B40 toward Flörsheim, then take the exit for Delkenheim and follow IVV signs to the start.
Start: Bürgerhaus at Münchner Straße 2 Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 12 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 12 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km) Trail: Mostly flat, stroller-friendly trails through fields Award: None.
Questions? Send email to volksmarch@gmail.com.
