Take a Hike: A monthly guide to Volksmarching in your area

by Donald Seltzer
Contributing writer

Volksmarching Notes
» Something a little different is being offered at Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland events. Collect 10 event stamps at specific walks through August 2011 and get a free six-pack of Karlsberg alcohol-free beer. The stamp booklet is available from the DVV awards officer or host club.

» Photocopy your IVV record books (event, distance) to avoid the loss of your accomplishments. Little, if anything, can be done to reconstruct your records without the DVV pass number or a copy of the most recent award certificate. Plan ahead and avoid having this problem happen to you.

» The calendar for volksmarching in Germany, “Terminliste 2011,” is available for €2.50 in the start hall at most events. This useful booklet lists dates, locations, points of contact and other information for each of the scheduled events in Germany. Look for the international edition of the IVV calendar to be available soon.

» 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 shown for readers using navigation devices.

» Readers are asked to pick up an extra set of event brochures whenever possible. Mail them via MPS to: Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.

» A big thank you goes out to Richard and Donna Glenn, Simon Hamid and Pat Patterson for mailing brochures — all of which were a big help.

» Look for additional event choices in the online version of Take a Hike at www.wiesbaden.army.mil/hunion/Takeahike.htm.

» 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
message to volksmarch@gmail.com with “subscribe” written in the subject line.

Weekend of Oct. 30 and 31
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday.

Güdingen (66130) — This walk is south of Saarbrücken and offers trails along the French-German border. Wanderers from the KMC should find this event within their driving range. Use autobahn A6 toward Saarbrücken, briefly pick up the A620 and exit at Saarbrücken-Güdingen. Take B-51 south to Güdingen and follow
directional signs to the start.
Start: Festhalle in city center
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5, 10 and 20 km)
Sunday: 7 a.m. to noon (5, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown
Award: From previous events.

Kindsbach (66862) — This walk, adjacent to Landstuhl, is certainly convenient to KMC’s wanderers. Kindsbach is just a kilometer south of the  Autobahn A6 Landstuhl exit.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle at Bahnhof Marktstraße 27
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6, 10 and 20 km)
Trail: Unknown

Scheuern (66571) — This event, offering a colorful fall landscape, 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 A1 toward Trier. Exit at Tholey/Hasborn to take minor roads through Dörsdorf to reach Scheuern.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle on Schulstraße
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (5 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km)
Trails: Unknown
Award: None

Weekend of Nov. 13 and 14
Neunkirchen/Furpach (66539) — This Saarland event is just southeast of Neunkirchen. From Kaiserslautern, Ramstein and Landstuhl, use
autobahn A6 toward Saarbrücken. Connect with A8 toward Neunkirchen and take the first exit at Kohlhof. Use a minor road to Furpach and the start.
Start: Hirschberghalle at Seebachstraße 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: Unknown
Award: None

Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25
Ramstein-Miesenbach (66877) — The Ramstein Roadrunners club plays host to this annual Thanksgiving Day event. Wanderers will find the event to be a friendly and relaxing family activity. Consider making reservations to enjoy the Thanksgiving buffet at the Ramstien Officers’ Club. Spend a night or two in guest lodging — contact Central Reservations at 06371-454920. Use autobahns A5 and A6 and the Landstuhl/Ramstein Air Base exit and follow IVV directional signs.
Start: Mehrzweckhalle Miesenbach at Am Kiefernkopf 20
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km)
Trail: Slightly hilly, fields and forests
Award: From previous events

Weekend of Dec. 11 and 12
Metz, France (F-57070) — A hugely popular Saturday-only evening walk offers wanderers a tour of this historic city with many of its monuments and buildings illuminated. The trail also passes through a Christmas market. Go early to avoid crowds or later to enjoy the lights. Either way, dress warmly. This event is well worth the time to reach it. West of Saarbrücken, this walk is easily reached via autobahn. Use German autobahns A67 and A64 to Saarbrücken then cross the border on French autobahn A-4/E-50. Follow the roads toward Stade Saint-Symphorien and watch carefully for Metz Illuminée directional signs.
Start: Complexe Sportif on Boulevard Saint Symphorien
Saturday: from 3 to 8:30 p.m. (10 km)
Trail: Flat, city streets
Award: None
Note: The highway between Metz and Germany’s border is a toll road.
(For questions or comments, e-mail Mr. Seltzer at volksmarch@gmail.com).