Wyhl am Kaiserstuhl: Nature and Local History

For planning your trip, Wyhl am Kaiserstuhl offers two clearly defined themes: the nature of the Rhine floodplain and the history of the town. Its natural features include the forest, nature conservation, and birdlife; local history comes to life at St. Blasius Parish Church and the Old School. This will help you decide whether nature or historical connections are the main consideration for your stay.

Rhine Floodplain Forest and Floodplain Landscape

About 98 percent of Wyhl’s roughly 300 hectares of woodland lie within the Rhine Lowlands Wyhl-Weisweil Nature Reserve. Wyhl’s Rhine floodplain forest is a mixed deciduous forest dominated by ash, maple, and English oak. The floodplain landscape is also considered rich in bird species. Together, the nature reserve, forest, and birdlife offer three specific ways to explore the area’s natural side.

Nature Trail and Leisure Cycling

The Rhine Floodplain Forest Nature Trail was established in 1971 and is about four kilometers long. Its features include audio stations, interactive games, and information boards. The nature trail hut introduces 19 native tree species that grow in the Rhine floodplain forest. The roughly four-kilometer length gives you a useful guide for planning, while the hut focuses on native species. The trail thus combines a specific distance with a nature-education theme.

Leisure cycling is another part of the area’s natural appeal: Wyhl’s floodplain landscape offers routes along paved forest roads.

Wyhl’s History Across Different Periods

Wyhl was first mentioned in a document in 926 as “Villa.” St. Blasius Parish Church was first mentioned in a document from 1275. The date of the church’s first mention should be distinguished from its construction history: experts date the lower section of the church tower to between 1150 and 1180. The cornerstone of the present-day parish church was laid in 1760. These dates refer to different historical milestones—the first written mention of the town, the church’s first documented mention, the expert dating of a section of the tower, and the laying of the cornerstone of the present-day church. This makes it possible to follow the chronology without interpreting all the dates as the church’s construction year.

The Old School Today

Built in 1827, the school building is now known as the Old School and serves as a library and meeting place. Wyhl’s public library is on the first floor of the Old School. The town’s profile thus brings together two distinct historical points of reference: the parts of St. Blasius dated to the Middle Ages and the school building from 1827, with its present-day community role.

In the broader Emmendingen destination

In the broader Emmendingen destination, the district has 900 kilometers of cycling routes, including 250 kilometers of signposted routes. There is also a network of 800 kilometers of hiking trails and hiking routes. At 1,242 meters, the Kandel is the highest mountain in Emmendingen district. The Hochburg is another regional attraction for culture enthusiasts: it was first mentioned in writing in 1161 and is one of Baden’s largest castle complexes. The Association for the Preservation of the Hochburg Ruins runs a museum at the Hochburg and offers guided tours.

Discover more destinations: Bahlingen, Gutach im Breisgau, Weisweil, Riegel am Kaiserstuhl, Sasbach am Kaiserstuhl, Simonswald, Rheinhausen, Endingen am Kaiserstuhl.

Return to the broader travel overview: Emmendingen.