BEDFORD – The Bedford Hiking Club is sponsoring a walk at Morgan-Monroe State Forest on Saturday, April 15. Volkswalks, which began in Europe, are interesting walks laid out to highlight areas of interest and are specific distances – usually 10 Kilometers (K) (6.2 miles) and/or 5K (3.1 miles). Regular volkswalkers keep track with stamps of the events they walk and the distances they walk in small books and look forward to the next walk to see new areas, old friends, and meet new people.
The Morgan-Monroe Forest walk begins at the Walls Shelter House on the Main Forest Road in the State Forest. Walkers should check in to receive a map and directions anytime between 9 AM and Noon. They should plan on finishing the walk by 3 PM. There is no fee for those who want to walk for free, but for regular volkswalkers who walk for credit, there is a $3 charge. There are also volkswalk awards available to purchase.
The trail route includes Sweedy Hollow Nature Preserve which has high rock bluff walls and waterfalls, and through a long stretch of tall pines. Most of the trails are dirt paths but one is a paved walk/bike path. There are two loops, each approximately 5K. You can complete 1 of the loops or both for a 10K walk.
Teena Ligman, from the Bedford Hiking Club who organized the Volkswalk, said the wildflowers, especially in Sweedy Hollow are just beautiful right now, so encourage people to come out and enjoy this walk. She speculates people may enjoy this volksmarch so much they’ll want to do more!
In general, it might take a person 2-3 hours to complete the 10K volkswalk. People walk at their own pace and are encouraged to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way. It is not a timed event. Dogs are welcome but should be on a leash and bring bags to pick up after them.
Walkers are also encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring water but we’ll have water and snacks at the checkpoint for walkers as well.
Volkswalks is German for People’s Walk. The International Volkswalk Association has walked on almost every continent so this is part of a network of walks that people can do for free or for credit. Credit is a stamp in a volkswalk book that keeps track of all the volkswalks a person completes for a later award.
People can also come and just walk for the joy of walking, but anyone who thinks they might be interested in learning more about volkswalking is welcome to come to learn more about this popular sport. The group will have starter packs available to get people started as volkswalkers with a book and coupons for 3 free walks with stamps. Volkswalkers love their sports so come learn more about them and enjoy this pretty walk showcasing Morgan Monroe State Forest.
For information on the volkswalk, contact Teena Ligman at 812-278-0139 or by email at tdligman@att.net.
The Bedford Hiking Club also sponsors four nearby year-round walks. The Hoagy Carmichael Walk in Downtown Bloomington features all the sites related to Hoagy Carmichael’s life while he lived in Bloomington and goes by his gravesite. There are also volkswalks at Paynetown State Recreation Area just east of Bloomington on SR 446, and at Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell. The fourth walk is the Limestone Walk in Bedford featuring interesting limestone buildings and two cemeteries. For information on any of these year-round walks, contact Ligman at tdligman@att.net.
