Greffern: Rhine floodplains, polder paths and history

Greffern reveals the character of the Rhine floodplains in a landscape also shaped by the controlled Söllingen/Greffern polder. It covers around 580 hectares and is regularly flooded for ecological reasons. Protected areas, polders and a water-rich landscape are thus an integral part of the local scenery. Signs in the Rhine floodplains provide information about the areas, as well as about notable people and events from Greffern. A stay here combines nature experiences with insights into local history.

Hikes and cycling routes through the floodplains

A 7.5-kilometre hiking trail leads through the “Alter Kopfgrund” nature reserve. The circular hike through the “Kalter Grund” nature reserve runs from Rheinmünster-Greffern through the Rhine floodplains; along the way, hikers pass various polder structures. You can choose between a trail with a specified length and a circular hike where the polder structures are among the notable points along the route.

The polder information trail comprises two circular routes, each around 6 kilometres long, in the districts of Söllingen and Greffern. They can be explored on foot or by bike. The approximately 130-kilometre PAMINA Rhine Floodplains Cycle Route offers another perspective: it runs on both sides of the German-French border between Rheinmünster-Greffern and Drusenheim in France, as well as between Leimersheim and Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. This means the options range from trails through individual protected areas to a cross-border cycling route. The information trail loops, each around six kilometres long, are shorter than the 7.5-kilometre trail through Alter Kopfgrund.

A long-rooted local history

The history can also be traced through specific dates. A chapel has been documented in Greffern since 1366; the Catholic Church of St John and Paul has been documented since 1889. These two dates mark widely separated milestones in the town’s church history and add a historical dimension to the picture of the Rhine floodplains.

Plan your stay around your interests

When looking for accommodation in Greffern, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. If hiking is your main interest, you can compare the 7.5-kilometre trail through Alter Kopfgrund with the circular hike at Kalter Grund: one option is defined by its length, while the other is described by its circular route, Rhine floodplains and polder structures. For days spent cycling, the loops on the polder information trail, which can be explored on foot or by bike, offer a different kind of route from the cross-border PAMINA cycling route.

The “Drusus” Rhine ferry is also useful to know about when planning a stay: it connects Greffern with Drusenheim. If you plan to take the ferry, check the current timetable before setting off. Together with the hiking and cycling options, it gives you a varied range of ways to plan your holiday without having to commit to just one way of exploring the area.

Discover more destinations: Söllingen

View the regional travel overview: Rheinmünster.