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Glide 10 km from Ottenheim to Ichenheim through the protected Thomasschollen and Salmengrund reserves. This beginner-friendly canoe trip on the Ottenheimer Mühlbach delivers clear water, shaded floodplain forest and easy wildlife viewing in the Upper Rhine.
Glide 10 km from Ottenheim to Ichenheim through the protected Thomasschollen and Salmengrund reserves. This beginner-friendly canoe trip on the Ottenheimer Mühlbach delivers clear water, shaded floodplain forest and easy wildlife viewing in the Upper Rhine.
Book with Kanutour24
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Operated by Kanutour24 · Schwanau, Baden-Württemberg
On a bright morning along the Upper Rhine plain, the Ottenheimer Mühlbach unfurls like a small ribbon of glass through Schwanau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This gentle 10-kilometre canoe route runs from Ottenheim to Ichenheim, tracing an old millstream before opening into the Altrhein and threading through the protected Thomasschollen and Salmengrund nature reserves. Clear water, soft reed beds and alder-lined banks make each paddle stroke feel deliberate and slow; the channel alternates between wide, reflective pools and tighter, moss-hung bends that demand a little steering but no technical maneuvers.
The trip’s heart is its floodplain forest—Auenwald—where willow and alder shade a saturated understory and reed margins host a loud, furtive life. Birdwatchers will watch for kingfisher flashes and the slow, deliberate stalk of grey heron; if you glide quietly you may spot beaver activity on fallen branches and the slick trails of water vole. Geologically modest but ecologically rich, this stretch is a living remnant of the Rhine’s former floodplain, kept intact by the reserve designations that protect Thomasschollen and Salmengrund.
Practical and beginner-friendly, the run is about 10 km with 2.5–3 hours pure paddling time. Launch at Ottenheimer Mühlbach—mühlbach meaning 'mill brook'—after a brief gear checkout and orientation, then paddle downstream through mixed widths toward the Anglerheim in Ichenheim where the trip ends and drivers are shuttled back. The route suits first-timers and families who want a low-stress water day that still feels remote; there are shaded rest spots for a picnic and places to step onto shore and listen to the forest breathe.
Why book this trip? It’s an easy-access river experience that delivers concentrated natural variety—quiet channels, reed margins, and reserve-status habitats—without the roar of the main Rhine. Local operators keep group sizes modest and the emphasis on leave-no-trace etiquette, making Ottenheimer Mühlbach a low-impact way to experience Upper Rhine nature. For photographers and curious naturalists it’s a micro-wilderness lesson: subtle, layered, and surprising.
Bring a dry bag, a camera with a good zoom, and sensible footwear. Expect a gentle current, watch for shallow gravel bars, and plan for the shuttle back to vehicles at Ichenheim. Along the way, anglers at the Anglerheim and footbridges let you glimpse a human history of riverside livelihoods: stone crossings, the remains of sluices and millraces, and signposts that mark the reserves’ boundaries. Guides emphasize river skills—reading the current, edging to avoid snags—and point out seasonal blooms as marsh marigold and willow catkins. The combination of easy navigation, protected habitat and close-to-home accessibility makes this paddle a favorite for repeat local paddlers and visitors seeking a nature day.
The route is about 10 km with a paddling time of roughly 2.5–3 hours, depending on group pace and weather.
Yes — the water is calm and the route is designed for beginners; children should wear PFDs and be supervised.
Trips end at the Anglerheim in Ichenheim; operators provide a driver shuttle back to vehicles at Ottenheim.
Expect kingfisher, grey heron, and signs of beaver; water vole and reedbed birds are common in spring and summer.
No — rental equipment and a brief orientation are provided before launch as part of the trip structure.
Policies vary by operator; check at booking but small, well-behaved dogs may be permitted if safety needs are met.
Kanuttour24 is a canoe rental and trip provider based in Rheinhausen, Baden-Württemberg. The company specializes in short, beginner-friendly paddling routes on nearby river arms and protected waterways. Kanutour24 offers multiple self-guided experiences including the Ichenheim–Goldscheuer 10 km stretch of the Altrhein (about 2.5 hours with a single portage), the winding 12 km Alte Elz route past Kenzingen, and the 10 km Ottenheimer Mühlbach trip between Ottenheim and Ichenheim. In addition to route descriptions, Kanutour24 operates a Rheinhausen pickup station where customers can rent canoes and trailers for independent exploration. All trip summaries focus on calm, sheltered waters and accessible riverbanks suitable for families and beginners. Equipment available for rent includes canoes and trailers for transporting gear to local launch points. Booking and pickup options emphasize flexibility, allowing paddlers to choose start times and routes that match skill level and schedule. Safety information and route details help paddlers plan outings. Kanutour24 lists distances, approximate durations, and necessary portages for each route so visitors can select trips that fit group size and experience. The business highlights scenic river landscapes, shaded channels, and peaceful floodplain environments that define the local paddling experience in Baden-Württemberg. Trip descriptions note village views along routes, gentle currents, and shaded stretches ideal for wildlife observation. Rentals include safety equipment and clear map instructions to support independent paddlers exploring the Altrhein, Alte Elz and Ottenheimer Mühlbach corridors from the Rheinhausen pickup station.
Book with Kanutour24