‘Volkssport’ Brings a Little Bit of Germany to Your Feet Walkers take in one of the rural routes on the area’s walking opportunities.
Standard-Radio Post file photo
Fredericksburg native began first sanctioned walking routes. A local walking club with a history dating back to 1976 has established five self-paced, yearround routes for walkers throughout the Hill Country. There are three inside the Fredericksburg city limits and two outside. All five walks have been developed between 5K (3.1 miles) and 10K (6.2 miles) distances by the Volkssportverein Friedrichsburg (VVF). Longer distances are available on other walks throughout the area. These walks are sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association as Year-Round Walks, which means anyone can walk them almost any day of the year. The late Fredericksburg native Kenn Knopp was visiting his distant relatives in Germany in 1976. He was taken on an afternoon stroll to a cemetery
94
where other family members were buried. The stroll turned out to be a six-mile ordeal. When he returned to Fredericksburg, he formed a walking club and registered it with the international headquarters of Volkssportverein in Germany and Volkssportverein Friedrichsburg (People’s Sports Association Fredericksburg) became “The First in Texas, the First in the U.S.A.”
It was noted that the walks can only be done during daylight hours.
Fredericksburg Walks: The three city walks include: AVA Pilgrimage — This walk is a self-guided tour of the Historical District and honors the heritage of Volkssporting in America, which began here in June of 1976.
Cemetery Walk — Participants taking this route will start at Marktplatz and will walk through Check-in for the in-town walks is two historic cemeteries in Fredericksburg. at Sunday House Inn and Suites, One location — Der Stadt Friedhof — was 501 E. Main St. The two rural walks established in 1846 when the town was founded, and the other — St. Mary’s Catholic both have starting points inside Cemetery — was established in 1850. The route park visitor centers. continues on tree-lined streets on the north At each location, participants side of town. should ask the personnel for the Walk Box from which they can obtain maps of the self-guided walks as well as other items needed if walking for credit. The start of the walk itself may involve a drive to a different location.
Cross Mountain Walk — The beginning location for this trek is Cross Mountain Park. At the top, participants can take in a 360-degree-view of Fredericksburg and the surrounding countryside.
Fall&Winter2021
