Raunheim: Waldsee, Main River and Historic Sites

Raunheim offers several points of interest for a stay: Waldsee lake with its natural beach swimming area, paths along the Main, a historic ferry crossing and a Baroque chapel. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to focus on water and leisure, cycling or hiking tours, or sites of cultural and historical interest. The stops differ in how they are used and in their character.

Waldsee and natural beach swimming area

Raunheim’s Waldsee is a quarry lake surrounded by woodland, with a water surface of 21.6 hectares. The natural beach swimming area has designated sections for swimmers, non-swimmers and naturists. Check the latest bathing information and operating details before your visit. The facilities include a sunbathing platform in the water and a pirate ship with a slide. The platform is also intended to serve as a lakeside stage for concerts and film screenings; this is described as a planned use. Check the condition of the children’s facilities in advance as well. Fishing also takes place at the lake. A wakeboarding facility has been there since 2013; check its current operating and usage status before travelling. You can also check local fishing rules before your outing.

Ölhafen Bridge and paths along the Main

The Ölhafen Bridge in Raunheim connects the southern bank of the Main with Raunheim’s oil port. It is a public bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Its circular platform serves as a place to stop and enjoy views across the river. Before your visit, check whether temporary works or closures affect access.

The construction of the bridge and landscaping of the Main floodplain created a cycling route along the riverbank between Rüsselsheim and Kelsterbach in 2013. At the same time, the bridge closed a pre-existing gap in the Main River trail between Aschaffenburg and Mainz. These are two different scales: the specific cycling route between the two towns and the gap closure on the longer Main River trail. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Cycling and hiking

Raunheim’s cycling routes are mostly designed for recreational cycling and generally run away from roads. According to the city, they are also very suitable for families with children. Routes and surfaces may change; check conditions before your tour.

There is also the signposted Regional Park route network south of the Main for cycling and hiking tours. Raunheim is one of its possible starting points. If you are choosing between a local cycling tour and a hike or cycling tour on the Regional Park network, their described focuses differ: the local cycling routes emphasize recreational use and route layout, while the Regional Park network combines cycling and hiking trails and offers possible starting points.

Historic sites in Raunheim

The Flörsheimer Fahr in Raunheim preserves the history of a former ford and a later ferry crossing that connected Raunheim and Flörsheim am Main. The sequence of ford and ferry crossing is the central theme of this site.

Mönchhof Chapel is a Baroque chapel dating from the 17th century and is a listed historic monument. It is used for weddings, church services and cultural events. Use and access may vary depending on events or the religious program. If you would like to experience a particular use, check the relevant date or program.

Nature in the wider destination of Groß-Gerau

The wider destination of Groß-Gerau offers other nature and route-related attractions. In the west of Groß-Gerau district, the Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue European nature reserve lies on the Rhine. It is Hesse’s largest contiguous nature reserve and serves numerous breeding and migratory birds as a breeding and resting place. Mönchbruch nature reserve lies between Rüsselsheim and Mörfelden-Walldorf in Groß-Gerau district and is Hesse’s second-largest nature reserve. The Luther Trail 1521 also runs through the district for around 31.5 kilometers.

At Raunheim Wildlife Park, you can observe roe deer and wild boar at close range. This adds a nature experience featuring these two animal species to the water-based activities at Waldsee.

Discover more destinations: Stockstadt am Rhein, Biebesheim Am Rhein, Groß-Gerau, Büttelborn, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Bischofsheim, Gernsheim, Mörfelden-Walldorf.

Back to the main travel overview: Groß-Gerau.