‘Volkssport’ Brings Germany to Your Feet

‘Volkssport’ Brings a Little Bit of Germany to Your Feet

Walkers take in one of the rural routes on the area’s walking opportunities.

Fredericksburg native began first sanctioned walking routes.

Standard-Radio Post file photo

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 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.”

Check-in for the in-town walks is at Sunday House Inn and Suites, 501 E. Main St. The two rural walks both have starting points inside park visitor centers.

At each location, participants 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.

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 two historic cemeteries in Fredericksburg. One location — Der Stadt Friedhof — was established in 1846 when the town was founded, and the other — St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery — was established in 1850. The route continues on tree-lined streets on the north side of town. 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.

LBJ State Park

The route at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site will take walkers to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm where life in the rural areas of the early-1900s is shown daily by living history demonstrations. A 10K route also takes walkers along Ranch Road 1 and the banks of the Pedernales River. A second 10K trail starts at the Junction Schoolhouse and continues through the LBJ Ranch to the Texas White House. The two 10K routes can be combined for a 20K distance. The park has initiated a new walking and biking trails project, which will be incorporated into new Volksmarch routes as appropriate. LBJ State Park and Historic Site is located in Stonewall, 15 miles east of Fredericksburg on U.S. Highway 290. While the park operates year-round, the facilities are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Enchanted Rock

The route at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located 18 miles north of Fredericksburg on Ranch Road 965, will give hikers a variety of routes, including a more-rigorous option of walking up Enchanted Rock itself. Dominating the park is a large pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425 feet above ground and 1,825 feet above sea level. Online reservations are necessary. Entry fee to the park is $7 per person, age 12 and older. Texas State Parks Pass holders get in free. Reservations are recommended.

All Walks

For all walks, walkers will pay $3 in addition to any park admission fee. All others may walk for free. Donations help with printing expenses. Also, all participants are required to register, carry a start card and return the card to the start point. Anyone may participate, although children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Pets are welcome, must be kept on a leash and are not allowed in the buildings or on the dome itself. These events may be done during daylight hours only. More information is available by contacting Dave Roberts at dlroberts34@hotmail.com or calling 830-992-7584. The VVF website is www.walktx.org/AVA1. Information on the American Volkssport Association and walks and clubs throughout the country can be found at www.ava.org.