Click here for this week’s European Volksmarch schedule.
The Commander of United States Garrison Heidelberg, Col. Robert L. White, invites readers to participate in this year’s 34th Annual Volksmarch on Sept. 6 and 7. His invitation states: "The Heidelberg International Wandering Club and the surrounding countryside offer one of the most beautiful and challenging courses you’ll find anywhere in Germany. Whether you enjoy walking through the towns and forest or running in the hills above Heidelberg, this volksmarch has something for everyone. The HIWC always attends meticulously to every detail, so come out and participate in a great German tradition."
The start and finish of the march will be at the International Gesamtschule behind Nachrichten Kaserne (the U.S. Army Hospital).
As in the past, the HIWC has provided routes of varying distances and degrees of difficulty. The 5km route is flat and stroller friendly. The 11km route is stroller friendly but hilly. The 22- and 42-kilometer routes are hilly and will take you past the Heidelberg Castle. The 11- and 22km trails will wind through the hills above Heidelberg, passing by the Ehrenfriedhof Memorial. This is a monument commemorating soldiers from the Heidelberg area who died during both World Wars and offers a marvelous panorama of the city of Heidelberg.
This walk is also famous for its beautiful beer mugs, which are given as prizes for completing one of the trails. This year’s beer stein will have a multi-colored picture of the Neckar River, the old bridge, and the Heidelberg Castle on the front of the mug.
They also will be awarding Commander Cup trophies to the organizations with the most participants. So bring your unit, bring your guidons, and come participate in genuine German style.
For more information, contact Rob Floyd at 06227-841226 or by e-mail at HIWC@yahoo.com.
We will be there on Saturday, so look us up and say hello!
Heidelberg’s castle illumination on Saturday night is an added bonus to this great weekend of walking. If you have seen this wonderful fireworks display from river level, try watching it from the castle garden this time.
In other volksmarch news....
• If you are in the Stuttgart area this weekend, you might want to warm up for the Heidelberg walk by attending the Friday evening walk in Schorndorf. You can start between 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and finish by 9 p.m.
• There is no cut-off time for starting the walk in Versailles, France, but finish by 5:30 p.m.
• The flier for the Hinsbourg, France, walk doesn’t name a start location, however, it’s a very tiny village, so it probably won’t be too hard to find.
• The start for the La Salute di Livenza, Italy, walk is Trattoria Lorenzon on via Cavour.
• The finish time for the Brescia, Italy, walk is 11 p.m.
• The Montegrotto Terme, Italy, walk is in the Parco dei Colli Euganei, so expect hills on the longer trails. The flier notes ample parking near the start.
E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09703-0278.
