The Old Rhine, protected floodplain landscape and memorial sites give Ichenheim a varied character. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between a stay focused on water and nature and an excursion to explore the historic sites.
Water and Floodplain Landscape
There is a launch point for canoe trips on the Old Rhine in Ichenheim, near the Anglerheim. Water conditions can affect whether it is usable; check conditions before setting out. This lets you consider canoeing while taking a realistic view of the conditions, without assuming a specific trip duration or itinerary.
West of Ichenheim lies the “Salmengrund – Altrheinarm W Ichenheim” nature reserve. The landscape is shaped by a broad, slow-flowing, gently meandering branch of the Old Rhine, shallow banks and extensive shallow-water areas. There are also strips of reeds and reed canary grass, as well as a large population of yellow water lilies. These details describe an area with varied banks and water habitats; they also make it interesting to travelers more drawn to landscapes than to a single activity.
History Between Church and Forest
The Marienkapelle at St. Nikolaus invites visitors to pause and reflect. The Täuferwald offers a different historical perspective: an information board there recalls the history of the Protestant residents of Ottenweirer Hof. The Täuferwald can be reached by train, car, on foot or by bicycle. Check local conditions before traveling.
A memorial stone in Ichenheim Forest commemorates the Polish forced laborers Jozef Wojcik and Franciszek Strojewski, who were executed there in October 1942. The memorial site brings the history of forced labor and the two men into focus for visitors.
A route description from 2004 says to park the vehicle and then follow the “Unteren Fürthwaldweg” into the forest on foot, taking the path that leads to the right. Check the directions on site before following them.
Fair and Farm-Shop Tour
Ichenheim’s traditional fair is held each spring and autumn. It is set up on Rheinstraße, between the Gasthaus Schwanen and Kreuzstraße. These recurring dates provide two different occasions to visit throughout the year, so specific visit plans can be based on the respective fair.
The annual Culinary Farm-Shop Tour takes place in Altenheim, Dundenheim and Ichenheim and includes 16 participating farms. They offer insights into their businesses and culinary delights. If planning a future visit, check the dates for the relevant edition.
Neuried as a Wider Destination
The wider destination of Neuried offers additional themes, each tied to the place where it is located. The Auen-Wildnispfad (Floodplain Wilderness Trail) is near Altenheim; it is accessible only when there is no severe flooding. A colored water-level gauge at the entrance shows the water level. Check the gauge before setting out, as flood conditions determine whether the trail is accessible.
In Schutterzell, the Michaelis Church has been used as a shared church by the Protestant and Catholic denominations since 1804. The public sculpture trail in Neuried brings together existing sculptures and new works. Both offer a cultural perspective different from Ichenheim’s memorial sites, without implying a specific sightseeing route.
Cycling and seasonal events also shape the wider region: the 37.2-kilometer Bure Cycle Route passes through Neuried and offers insights into the cultivation and production of regional foods and agricultural products. During Ried Week in July and August, visitors can take part in a cycling tour, hike or boat trip, or enjoy a traditional carriage ride through the town. For specific plans, check the dates and activities for the relevant edition.
Discover More Destinations
Zell Am Harmersbach, Schuttertal, Oberkirch, Hausach, Oppenau, Hofstetten, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Nordrach
Back to the broader travel guide: Ortenaukreis.
