Ichenheim: Old Rhine, Nature and Local History

Ichenheim offers ways to enjoy a stay focused on nature, water and culture. The protected riverbank landscape and a canoe launch point along the Old Rhine are highlights; St. Nicholas Church, the Täuferwald forest and the memorial stone offer other points of interest.

Old Rhine and protected landscape

West of Ichenheim lies the “Salmengrund – Altrheinarm W Ichenheim” nature reserve. The landscape is shaped by a broad, slow-flowing, gently meandering branch of the Old Rhine, along with shallow banks, extensive shallows, and strips of reed and reed canary grass. The 2020 ecological survey also recorded a sizeable population of yellow water-lilies.

There is a launch point for canoe trips on the Old Rhine at the Anglerheim in Ichenheim. Water conditions may affect whether it can be used, so check them before your trip. This lets you factor the water route into your plans without overlooking conditions on site.

Churches and memorial sites

The Catholic parish church of St. Nicholas was consecrated in 1963; construction of its new building began in 1819. The core of the older Gothic tower has been preserved. If you are interested in historical layers, you can distinguish the 19th-century construction phase from the older tower structure. St. Nicholas also has a Marian chapel, offering a place for quiet reflection.

An information board in the Täuferwald forest commemorates the history of the Protestant residents of Ottenweirer Hof. The forest can be reached by train, car, on foot or by bicycle. Check local conditions before setting out.

Another memorial site is the memorial stone in Ichenheim Forest. It commemorates the Polish forced laborers Jozef Wojcik and Franciszek Strojewski, who were executed there in October 1942. A route description from 2004 mentions leaving your vehicle and then following the “Unteren Fürthwaldweg,” which leads off to the right, on foot. Check the route on site before relying on these directions.

Cycling and recurring events

For a cycling trip, you can start at the Langenrothalle in Ichenheim; there is ample parking for visitors arriving by car.

The wider Neuried destination hosts a market in the village of Ichenheim every spring and fall. The tradition dates back almost 250 years. The market is set up on Rheinstraße, between the Schwanen inn and Kreuzstraße.

The annual Culinary Farm Shop Tour also passes through Altenheim, Dundenheim and Ichenheim. The 2026 event was scheduled for September 20. The announcement listed 16 participating farms, which were set to offer insights into their operations and culinary delights.

More to explore in the wider Neuried destination

The Auen-Wildnispfad trail is near Altenheim. It can only be walked when there is no severe flooding; a colored water-level gauge at the entrance shows the water level. Water conditions are therefore a practical factor to consider when planning a walk there.

The 37.2-kilometer Bure cycle route passes through Neuried and offers insights into the cultivation and production of regional foods and agricultural products. Another cultural landmark in the wider destination is St. Michael’s Church in Schutterzell: since 1804, it has been used jointly by the Protestant and Catholic denominations as a shared church.

Discover more destinations: Ortenberg, Oberharmersbach, Schuttertal, Gengenbach, Oberwolfach, Gutach, Hornberg, Berghaupten.

View the wider travel overview: Ortenaukreis.