Discover Schwanau

Schwanau combines river landscapes, forests and historic village scenes. Between nature watching, paths by the water and the stories of its districts, you can choose different focuses for your stay.

Experience forests, the Elz and the Rhine

The municipal forest covers around 820 hectares of forest land between the Rhine and the motorway. It extends across Allmannsweier, Nonnenweier, Ottenheim and Wittenweier. Almost the entire municipal forest is designated as recreational forest; this official classification may change as a result of future planning. The varied forest landscape invites you to observe nature. Please follow the applicable nature conservation rules.

The Elz Path connects Schwanau’s districts through the river landscape and offers views of the surrounding waterways. It follows the Elz from Wittenweier to Nonnenweier. Conditions on the route may change; check them before setting out. In Wittenweier, boaters can enjoy their hobby on the Elz and the Old Rhine. The Elz footbridge provides direct access to the Rhine there. Schwanau also has a harbour, with four pontoon areas and 102 berths. For waterways and berths, check current access and navigation rules as well as the relevant conditions.

The Rhine crossing at Nonnenweier makes excursions to Alsace possible. Before planning, check the crossing’s current availability and the applicable requirements. Schwanau therefore offers a range of water experiences: views of the floodplain along the Elz Path, boating on the Elz and Old Rhine, and access to the Rhine at the Elz footbridge.

Churches, a rectory and local history

The buildings in the districts also each have their own distinctive character. The Protestant parish church in Allmannsweier was built between 1781 and 1783. In Wittenweier, the 250-year-old, restored rectory is another landmark: it provides space for community and cultural events. The events programme may change. In Ottenheim, the historic church tower was rebuilt; it is a prominent landmark visible from afar. Construction dates, community use and a rebuilt tower each tell the story of these places in different ways.

Then base your choice on the places where you plan to begin your activities. This lets you match the location to your travel plans rather than choosing solely by a general accommodation category.

In the wider destination of Ortenaukreis

Ortenaukreis lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. Its 23 nature reserves cover around 3,110 hectares in total, stretching from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. The Taubergießen nature reserve covers 1,695 hectares and is one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg.

For a different kind of holiday, Rulantica in Rust offers year-round water fun for the whole family, with numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions. The Rulantica experience also includes Hyggedal, a relaxation and sauna area. Europa-Park is also located in the municipality of Rust. If you are interested in the history of life in the Black Forest, the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum offers a different perspective: a tour of the historic farmhouses shows how people lived and worked there up to 600 years ago.

Discover more destinations: Kehl, Wolfach, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Offenburg, Seelbach, Oberwolfach, Appenweier

Back to the main travel overview: Ortenaukreis.