Raunheim: Waldsee, Main River and History

Raunheim combines activities at Waldsee with cycle paths along the Main and places where the history of the river crossing remains visible. This gives you different starting points for planning your trip: a day enjoying the swimming areas and activities at the lake, a cycling tour or a visit to the Baroque Mönchhof Chapel. You can choose accommodation to suit your plans based on which side of Raunheim you want to shape your stay.

Waldsee: Swimming Areas and Activities

Raunheim’s Waldsee is a quarry lake surrounded by woodland, with a water surface of 21.6 hectares. The natural swimming area has designated sections for swimmers, non-swimmers and naturists. The complex also includes a floating platform, a pirate ship with a slide and an area for non-swimmers. The platform is also intended to serve as a lake stage for concerts and film screenings. Check the current operating details before your visit.

Fishing is also available at Waldsee. A wakeboarding facility has been there since 2013. If you’re planning to fish or wakeboard, check the applicable rules in advance, as well as whether the facility is currently open and accessible. This lets you consider swimming areas, fishing opportunities and water sports as distinct interests for your stay, without assuming that the same conditions apply to all of them.

Cycling and Walking along the Main

The city describes Raunheim’s cycle routes as being designed mainly for recreational cycling and usually running away from roads. According to the city, they are also very suitable for families with children. Check route conditions before setting off. The Regionalpark route network south of the Main is a signposted network of routes for cycling and hiking; Raunheim is one of the possible starting points. This gives you the choice between a cycling tour and joining the wider network of cycling and hiking routes.

The Ölhafen Bridge in Raunheim is a public bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. It connects the southern bank of the Main with Raunheim’s oil harbor. Its circular viewing area is a place to stop and enjoy views across the river. Before your visit, check whether temporary works or closures affect access. The bridge’s construction and the development of the Main floodplain created a cycle route along the riverbank between Rüsselsheim and Kelsterbach in 2013. At the same time, the bridge filled a previously existing gap in the riverside path between Aschaffenburg and Mainz. These connections offer different scales for planning a tour: a named route between two cities and a section of the longer Main riverside path.

Flörsheimer Fahr and Mönchhof Chapel

Flörsheimer Fahr preserves the history of a former ford and a later ferry crossing that connected Raunheim and Flörsheim am Main. The riverbank area at Flörsheimer Fahr is freely accessible outdoors; before visiting, look out for any temporary works or restrictions.

The listed Mönchhof Chapel is a Baroque chapel dating from the 17th century. It is used for weddings, church services and cultural events. Visits and use may vary depending on events or religious services. Unlike the freely accessible riverbank area, a visit to the chapel is therefore more subject to its particular uses.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Plans

If swimming, fishing or the wakeboarding facility is your main focus, your stay will revolve around the activities at Waldsee. The recreational routes described and the connections along the Main are a good fit for a cycling trip; those interested in local history and culture can include Flörsheimer Fahr and the chapel. Compare the location of a particular accommodation with the places you actually want to visit. That way, choosing where to stay becomes part of planning your days in Raunheim, without assuming that any specific accommodation offers particular amenities.

In the Wider Destination of Groß-Gerau

The wider destination of Groß-Gerau offers a broader perspective on nature and regional character. In the west of the Groß-Gerau district, along the Rhine, lies the Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue European Nature Reserve. It is Hesse’s largest contiguous nature reserve and provides breeding and resting grounds for numerous resident and migratory birds. The Mönchbruch nature reserve, between Rüsselsheim and Mörfelden-Walldorf, is also in the Groß-Gerau district; it is Hesse’s second-largest nature reserve. Asparagus is considered the culinary hallmark of the Groß-Gerau district.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Nauheim, Groß-Gerau, Kelsterbach, Riedstadt, Biebesheim Am Rhein, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Rüsselsheim, Trebur

Back to the main travel guide: Groß-Gerau.