The Bedford Hiking Club and Indiana Volkssport Association is sponsoring an interesting walk through Amish country on Saturday, May 17, in and near Montgomery, Indiana. The walk is part of a Volkswalk series of 5- and 10-kilometer walks that showcase some of Indiana’s most scenic landscapes. A 10K walk is approximately 6.2 miles.
Walkers are asked to sign in for the walk between 9 a.m. and noon the day of the walk on the porch at the Gasthof Village restaurant. The walk should be finished by 3 p.m. Participants can choose between 6.2-mile and 3.1-mile options. The longer walk goes past several Amish farms and an Amish school. There is a stop on the way where three Amish homesteads are close together. The families have said people are welcome to stop in their barnyard, and they will watch for visitors and come out talk to people and answer questions. There is a $4 charge for those who do the walk. Snacks are available but we encourage people to stay for lunch at the Gasthof, which is known for its Amish food.
Both walks also include the small rural town of Montgomery, which has a large historic feed mill along the railroad tracks. The town is small but on the hill above the town is St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the second oldest Catholic church in Indiana and a beautiful building. You’ll want to go inside and see the stained-glass windows, arches and read more about the history of this church. It also has interesting sculptures in the gardens.
The walk is along gravel or paved roads and sidewalks and is fairly level. With all the Amish buggies, traffic tends to go slow. You are welcome to take pictures, but the Amish prefer you not take pictures of their faces or up close photos.
The Volkswalk starts and ends at the Gasthof Village restaurant. Nearby are little shops and a bakery. Dinky’s Auction House is having a pony auction that day and many Amish will be there buying ponies. There are many Amish businesses in the area as well that we can direct visitors to if you’re looking for plants, food, woodworking or even a carriage.
Come join the Bedford Hiking Club’s Volkswalk on May 17 for this fun walk and learn more about the Amish in Daviess County. For more information, contact Teena Ligman at 812-278-0139 or tdligman@att.net. The Gasthof Village is located north of the town of Montgomery off U.S. 50.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Walk through an Indiana Amish community with Bedford hiking club, Indiana Volksport group
Reporting by The Times-Mail / The Times-Mail
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