Twitter
Facebook
Weekend of Jan. 23-24
• Gaasperech (Gasperich), Luxembourg (L-2451) — This event is located in a southern suburb of Luxembourg City and may be reached in about 90 minutes from the KMC. From the KMC, take Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken and 8 to Perl and the border. Cross the Mosel River into Luxembourg and continue on A13 to Bettembourg. Connect with Autoroute A3/E25 north toward Luxembourg City, then exit at Hesperange/Luxembourg-Gasperich. Use CR231 to reach the start at Gaasperech (Gasperich).
Start: Hall omnisports zu Gaasperech at 4, rue G. Rossini Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 12 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Menchhoffen, France (F-67340) — This event is south of Bitche and west of Haguenau. It’ll require a fair amount of driving but there are a number of scenic roads and it should make for a pleasant time. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbruecken and Zweibruecken. Exit at Zweibruecken-Ixheim (33) to take B424 south where it becomes D35A in France. Connect with N62 toward Haguenau. At Niederbronn-les-Bains, take D28 to Ingwiller via Zinswiller and Rothbach. Pick up D919 leading to Menchhoffen and the start.
Start: Salle polyvalente on Route d’Uttwiller Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of Jan. 30-31
• 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 Saarbruecken 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 using IVV signs.
Start: Mille-Club on rue du Stade Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) Trail: Unknown, expect wooded areas Award: None.
• Grosbliederstroff, France (F-57520) — This French event is found due south of Saarbruecken and almost literally on the border. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 to connect briefly with Autobahn 620 at Saarbruecken. Exit at Saarbruecken-St. Arnual (19), take the third exit from the roundabout at the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Saargemuender Straße (likely at a traffic light) to head south under the A6 and parallel to the river. The road becomes Rue de Sarrebruck (N61) upon crossing the border into France. Continue a short ways to Grosbliederstroff.
Start: Salle de Jeux et Loisirs on rue des Fermes Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (10 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (15 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Hinsbourg, France (F-67290) — Here’s a volksmarch that requires more than a bit of driving but provides an opportunity to explore the sort-of-nearby town of Haguenau or Strasbourg. The event is southwest of both Pirmasens and Bitche, France. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbruecken and into France where it becomes A32. Connect with the A4 (a toll road with automated collection booths) toward Strasbourg and use the Phalsbourg exit (44). Use secondary roads through Phalsbourg, Eschbourg, and La Petite-Pierre to reach Hinsbourg and the start.
Start: Salle polyvalente on rue Principale Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Lintgen, Luxembourg (L-7505) — This event brings volksmarchers north of Luxembourg City. While it’s about two hours from the KMC, it does offer drivers something different as far as scenery. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken, 62 and 1 to Trier, and 602 and 64 to the Luxembourg border. Continue on Autoroute A1 to Luxembourg City and connect with A7 north to briefly use N11 toward Gonderange. Pick up secondary roads CR126 and CR125 west to Walferdange, then take N7 north to Lintgen and the start.
Start: Salle A Mouschelt Sunday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 12 and 16 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of Feb. 6-7
• Dudelange, Luxembourg (L-3474) — This event is about an hour and three-quarters from the KMC to the start south of Luxembourg City. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarbruecken, Saarlouis, Merzig and Perl. Continue across the border on Autoroute A13 to connect with A3. Head south toward Metz to exit at Dudelange (3). Pick up secondary roads CR161 and CR160 to Dudelange.
Start: Centre Sportif Lycée Nic Biever Annexe Alliance on rue Reiteschkopp Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 12 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Schwalbach-Griesborn (66773) — Wanderers will find this Saarland event northwest of Saarbruecken and easily reached by autobahn from the Landstuhl/Ramstein area. Expect some fun and surprises as the club celebrates Fasching. From Baumholder, use Autobahns 62 and 1 south toward Saarbruecken. Connect with Autobahn 8 toward Saarlouis and exit at Schwalbach/Schwarzenholz (15). Use secondary roads through Sprengen and Schwalbach to the start at Griesborn. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis to reach the Schwalbach/Schwarzenholz exit (15), then follow secondary roads through Sprengen and Schwalbach to reach Griesborn.
Start: Gemeindesaalbau at Hauptstraße 90 Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) Sunday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (6 and 10 km) Trail: Expected to be somewhat hilly, woods Award: None.
• Yutz, France (F-57970) — This event is roughly midway between Metz and Luxembourg City. It’s another long drive from the KMC but, after exiting the autobahn at Perl, you will wind alongside the Moselle River south toward Thionville. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 past Saarbruecken, Saarlouis and Merzig to the border at Perl. Use the Perl exit (2) to connect with B419 south; this road changes to D654 after crossing the French border. Continue south along the Moselle to Yutz and the start.
Start: Salle Petit Prince on rue du gymnase Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (11 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
Weekend of Feb. 13-14
• Durstel, France (F-67320) — This Sunday volksmarch, found south-southeast of Saarbruecken, is reached relatively easily by autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahn 6 past Saarbruecken and into France where it becomes A32. Connect with the A4 toll road toward Strasbourg and use the Sarre-Union exit (43). Head south on D1061 toward Phalsbourg, then use a minor road (D95) through Gungwiller and Bettwiller that leads to the start at Durstel.
Start: Salle Avenir Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 km) and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (20 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Kleinich-Oberkleinich (54483) — This event is north-northwest of Idar-Oberstein and fairly accessible to volksmarchers in other locations. From Baumholder, head toward Neubruecke via minor roads to reach B41/B269. Head north through Birkenfeld to connect with B327 toward Hahn Airport. Take the minor road at Hochscheid to the start at Kleinich. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken and 62 toward Trier, and exit at Birkenfeld (4). Take B41/B269 north to Morbach and B327 toward Hahn Airport. Use the minor road at Hochscheid to reach Oberkleinich.
Start: Kulturscheune at Orts Straße 13 Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6, 10 and 21 km) Trails: Hilly, wooded areas Award: Unclear from the brochure description.
• Remeling, France (F-57480) — This event is near the French border and west of Merzig, Germany. While a bit distant, KMC’s wanderers will find the drive is mostly on the autobahn. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 past Saarbruecken, then exit at Merzig (6). Take secondary roads across the border and through Hilbringen and Waldwisse to the start at Remeling.
Start: Foyer Socio-Culturel on Rue Thionville Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 and 10 km) Trail: Unknown, expect wooded areas Award: None.
Weekend of Feb. 27-28
• Grevenmacher, Luxembourg (L-6718) — This event is southwest of Trier and just across the border making it a reasonably easy drive from the KMC (90 minutes). From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 toward Saarbruecken, 62 and 1 to Trier, and 64 to the Luxembourg border. Continue onto Autoroute A1/E44 to the Mertert exit (14). Use N1 to reach the town of Grevenmacher and the start.
Start: Domaines Vinsmoselle Caves de Grevenmacher at 12, rue des Caves Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) Trail: Unknown Award: None.
• Hemmersdorf (66780) — This Saarland event is west of Dillingen and only a few kilometers from the French border, yet it’s easily reached by autobahn from the KMC area. Reader Janice Lukacsko once described one of the club’s events as having a “picturesque trail — the first half runs pretty much along the river.” From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 8 toward Saarlouis and Merzig to exit at Rehlingen (7). Use secondary roads through Bueren to reach Hemmersdorf.
Start: Grenzlandhalle on Niedaltdorfer Straße Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 10 km) and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (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.
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber (91541) — This walk explores the medieval walled-city of Rothenburg. The Saturday-only old-town walk offers a mini-tour of its many shops and sights. The outside trails, available on both days, are a great choice if you’ve already experienced the old-city trail. It’s crowded but not overwhelming; parking is plentiful. In conjunction with this special walk discounts on admission are offered by a number of museums and attractions by showing your IVV start card. From the KMC, use Autobahns 6 and 7 past Mannheim, Heidelberg, Heilbronn and Crailsheim in order to reach Rothenburg.
Start: Sporthalle at Erlbacher Straße 5 Saturday: 7 a.m. to noon (6, 11 and 21 km outside of city) and noon to 4 p.m. (11 km old-city trail) Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (6 and 11 km) and 7 a.m. to noon (21 km) Trails: Old-City routes are paved and have steps; trails in the surrounding area are hilly and wooded Award: From previous events.
• Woerth, France (F-67360) — This event, south of Pirmasens, will be a 90-minute drive from Kaiserslautern. From the KMC, head south on B270 to Pirmasens, then connect with B10 to Hinterweidenthal. Pick up minor roads (L487 and L478) southward toward Ludwigswinkel and Hirschthal. Cross into France and continue on D925, D3, and D27 to reach Woerth and the start.
Start: Maison des Associations de Woerth at 11, rue des Turcos Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (10 and 20 km) Trail: Unknown, expect hilly and wooded areas 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. F
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
• 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).
• 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.
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.
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.
