Take A Hike: A Monthly Guide To Volksmarching In Your Area!

by Donald Seltzer
Contributing writer

Volksmarching Notes

» This is a reminder to photocopy your IVV record books (event, distance) to avoid the loss of your hard-earned accomplishments.

» The 2011 International Calendar of Events is now available for €4.70. This useful book lists dates, locations, points of contact and other information for scheduled events in each of the member countries, including Germany. This book is available from the IVV awards officer or through some clubs. The calendar for volksmarching in Germany, Terminliste 2011, is also available for €2.50 in the start hall at most events.

» 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 the 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 mail them via MPS to Donald Seltzer, CMR 467 Box 5533, APO AE 09096.

» Would you like to receive “Take a Hike” a bit earlier? The complete, unedited version of the monthly volksmarching feature is available in its original format by sending an e-mail to volksmarch@gmail.com with “subscribe” written in the subject line.

Saturday and Sunday

Völklingen-Ludweiler (66333) — This walk is west of Saarbrücken and should be within volksmarching range of wanderers in the KMC. Use autobahns A6 and A620 to Saarbrücken and Völklingen. Exit at Geislautern and take a secondary road through that town to the start at Ludweiler.

Start: Warndthalle on Hohlstraße

Times: 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (5 and 10 km)

Trail: Unknown

Award: None

Weekend of Jan. 15 and 16

Eppelborn (66571) — This event is north of Saarbrücken and easily reached by autobahn from the far western communities of USAG Hessen. From Baumholder, head south on autobahn A-62 in the direction of Neubrücke and Trier. Connect with A1 southbound toward Saarbrücken and exit at Eppelborn. Follow IVV directional signs to the start. From Idar-Oberstein, use B-41 to Neubrücke, then autobahns A62 and A1 toward Saarbrücken. Exit at Eppelborn and follow the IVV signs.

Start: Realschule on Hellbergstraße

Times: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (6 and 10 km) and 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday (6 and 10 km)

Trail: Unknown

Award: None

Weekend of Jan. 22 and 23

Berschweiler/Saar (66646) — This event is just down the road from the Eppelborn walk (above) and easily reached by autobahn from the far western communities of USAG Hessen. From Baumholder, head south to autobahn A-62 in the direction of Neubrücke and Trier. Connect with the A1 southbound toward Saarbrücken and exit at Eppelborn. Follow a secondary road through Dirmingen to the start. From Idar-Oberstein, use B-41 to Neubrücke, then autobahns A62 and A1 toward Saarbrücken. Exit at Eppelborn and use a secondary road through Dirmingen to the start.

Start: Schulzentrum Marpingen on Marien Straße

Times: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)

Trail: Unknown

Award: None

Marpingen (66646) — This Saarland event is easily reached by autobahn from the area’s American communities. From Kaiserslautern, use autobahns A6, A8 and A1 toward Saarbrücken and Trier to reach the Eppelborn exit and the minor roads leading to Marpingen.

Start: Schulzentrum on Marien Straße

Times: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (20 km)

Trail: Unknown

Award: None

Weekend of Jan. 29 and 30

Wallerfangen (66798) — Though distant from American bases, this walk is relatively straightforward to reach via autobahn. From the KMC, use autobahns A6 and A8 (staying north of Saarbrücken) toward Saarlouis. Connect with the A8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Wallerfangen. Follow directional signs to the start.

Start: Scheidberghalle Kerlingen on St. Vallier Straße

Times: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5 and 10 km)

Trail: Unknown

Award: From previous events

Weekend of Feb. 26 and 27

Rothenburg ob der Tauber (91541) — This walk explores the medieval walled city of Rothenburg. This walk offers a mini-tour of the city’s many shops and sights. The outside trails, including a half-marathon distance, are a great choice if you’ve already experienced the old-city trail. In conjunction with this special walk, discounts on admission are offered by a number of museums and attractions by showing your IVV start card. Use autobahns A5, A6 and A7 past Heidelberg, Heilbronn and Crailsheim to reach Rothenburg. Alternately, the A3 and A7 via Würzburg and Kitzingen may be used.

Start: Sporthalle at Erlbacher Straße 5

Times: 7 a.m. to noon (6, 11 and 21 km outside of city) and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday (11 km old-city trail), and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon Sunday (21 km)

Trails: Old-City routes are paved and have steps; trails in the surrounding area are hilly and wooded

Award: Cloth shopping bag

(For questions, e-mail volksmarch@gmail.com.)