Discover Rheinstetten: Culture, Lakes and Cycling Routes

Rheinstetten is flanked by the Vosges and the Black Forest; at the same time, its lakes, local history and cross-border cycling routes offer different ways to explore the town. Activities range from a museum quiz trail for children aged around eight and up to swimming and water sports.

Discover the town’s history

The museum’s permanent exhibition explores the settlement history of the Upper Rhine using examples from Forchheim, Mörsch and Neuburgweier. A museum quiz trail features questions and puzzles, allowing children aged around eight and up to explore the museum independently. The two formats offer different ways to engage with the subject: the exhibition puts local history into context, while the quiz trail turns it into a discovery activity with tasks.

Open, hands-on activities for children teach the customs and craft techniques of earlier generations through practical experience. The programme may vary; check which activities are scheduled before your visit. A walk along the boundary stones of the former municipality of Neuburgweier also starts at the museum.

The Gothic choir of St. Ursula Chapel dates from around 1440, making it the oldest church building in Rheinstetten. Prof. Emil Wachter designed the windows. St. Ursula Church was built in 1951/52; Wachter created its interior paintings, windows and façade. Thus, a medieval choir and the design of a church from the early 1950s represent different chapters in architectural history. A renovation is planned to preserve the historic graffiti from the construction period and the war years on the former tobacco barns in Rheinstetten-Forchheim.

Lakes with different rules

The Epplesee has a designated swimming area and is also used for diving and sailing. Access to the south shore is prohibited, as the Allmendäcker nature reserve begins immediately there. The Fermasee is located within the Altrhein Neuburgweier nature and landscape protection area: boating is prohibited, while swimming is allowed in the southeast. The lakes therefore offer different ways to spend time: swimming is restricted to a designated area at the Fermasee, while the Epplesee is also used for diving and sailing. Swimming and access rules may change seasonally; check the notices before your visit.

The Fermasee can be reached by bicycle from Karlsruhe or Au am Rhein via the dam running parallel to the Rhine. This information complements the details about permitted activities but does not replace the need to follow local rules.

Plan cycling routes and connections

The cross-border PAMINA cycle route network includes themed circular tours of 300 to 400 kilometres connecting Northern Alsace, the Palatinate and Baden. The tours are themed around food, culture and nature. One specific route is the PAMINA Rheinpark North Circular Tour: it reaches Rheinstetten, continues to Neuburgweier and then crosses by ferry to the Palatinate. The 300 to 400 kilometres refer to the network’s themed circular tours; the Rheinpark North Circular Tour has its own route, passing through Rheinstetten and Neuburgweier. Check the ferry timetable before setting off.

Two bus routes connect the region with Rheinstetten. Route 106 runs from Ettlingen to Rheinstetten-Neuburgweier via Silberstreifen, Neue Messe and Rösselsbrünnle. Route 222 links Karlsruhe and Rastatt with stops serving Rheinstetten. Timetables may change, so check the latest times in advance.

When choosing accommodation, you can plan your stay around the experiences you’re looking for: local history, water activities or cycling each lend themselves to different day plans. The two lakes have different usage rules, and the cycling options also vary: there are themed circular tours as well as the specific connection through Neuburgweier that includes a ferry crossing.

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