 Old Rhine island Kühkopf | ||
| Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue | ||
| federal state | Hesse | |
|---|---|---|
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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The Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue nature reserve is the largest remaining floodplain area of the northern Upper Rhine. The Kühkopf emerged from a loop in the Rhine that became an island when the Rhine was straightened in 1829. The area is in Hessian Ried about 35 km south of Frankfurt am Main or about 20 km west of Darmstadt.
background
history
- before 1828: The Kühkopf was not yet an island, but a headland in the loop of the Rhine near Stockstadt. The Rhine often flooded the agricultural areas that were only protected by a summer dike. This led to crop failures and famine. One reason for the floods was, among other things, ice floes that were deposited when the Rhine was not yet heated by power plants.
- 1828/1829: Today's island came into being through the rift through the Rhine. This was carried out by the director of hydraulic engineering, Dr. Claus Kröncke (1771-1843) planned. With the puncture, the risk of flooding was drastically reduced, because the puncture quickly broadened. The abbreviation created a greater gradient and stronger current that dug the Rhine deeper and deeper over the years. Even today, the Rhine deepens by up to 1 cm per year. Today hardly any water flows through the old Rhine loop.
- Second World War: On the Kühkopf, parts of Mannheim city center (e.g. the castle) were recreated as dummies in order to deceive the bombers.
- 1983: Break of the summer dike on the island: The nature conservation story of the Kühkopf actually began with this event. When the summer dike broke, the areas previously used for agriculture were flooded and have not been cultivated since. This created the prerequisites for the extensive protection of the island.
- April 30, 2004: The anniversary "175 years of Kühkopf Island" is being celebrated because the Rhine breakthrough unintentionally created this "natural treasure of the northern Upper Rhine".
- 2007: Today many rare animal species can be observed in the NSG, including the black kite, the heraldic bird of the nature reserve. Incidentally, the area is allowed to use the UNESCO title "European Reserve".
landscape
Flora and fauna
For example, you can experience the primeval forest with creepers and lianas in the hardwood floodplain or the reed seas on the Old Rhine. In the spring, many voices of the birds native to the area can be heard. About 250 species of birds live in the area.
Characteristic in parts of the area are the Pollarded willows. These are pastures that are cut back every 3-10 years at a height of about 2-3 m. The young shoots can be used, for example, to weave baskets. Today the polluted willows on the Kühkopf are no longer used economically. However, the trees are still being cared for and in some cases even rebuilt, as they are valuable for nature conservation. Endangered animal species such as bats and owls find shelter and nesting facilities in the old, partially hollow trunks.
climate
Since there is a "Schnakenalarm" from the end of May to the middle of September, a visit in early spring or late autumn is recommended. The climate is very mild, but also humid.
getting there
By train
The Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue nature reserve can be reached via the following train stations:
- railway station Stockstadt on the Rhine on the RE line Frankfurt am Main - Mannheim (a short 1.5 km walk to Hofgut Guntershauen. Travel time from Frankfurt am Main main station: 30 min
- Riedstadt-Goddelau station, Terminus of the S-Bahn line 7 from Frankfurt am Main Hbf (above). Travel time from Frankfurt am Main main station: 34 - 42 minutes, every half hour.
By bicycle
The nature reserve is a nice day trip destination for example Mainz, Oppenheim, Worms or also Darmstadt and Frankfurt am Main (See section for cycling map literature).
The Hess. Long-distance cycle route R6: From Waldecker Land into the Rhine Valley , the one with the right bank of the Rhine Rhine cycle route is identical, turns off the Rhine dike and leads through the Knoblochsaue. Here you should make a detour to the Rhine and the Swedish Column. The spot near the parking lot is particularly beautiful, where the new Rhine and the old Rhine come together again.
Through the Hessian Ried between Groß-Gerau and Kühkopf, the cycle paths lead over both bridges from Erfelden to the island of Kühkopf, past the Kühkopf forest house and the Guntershausen estate with the NABU information center to Stockstadt.
You can reach the Knoblochsaue from the Kornsand ferry near Nierstein if you cycle south on the right Rhine.
ferry
- Guntersblum - Kühkopf, runs only a few days a year, see Side of the club. The pedestrian and bicycle ferry at the Rhine breakthrough enables cycle tours to Rheinhessen.
- For arrival by car from Rheinhessen: Car ferry in the north: Kornsand - Nierstein / Oppenheim, daily 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.: www.faehre-nierstein.de
fees
- The nature reserve is freely accessible.
mobility
Dynamic cardsThe island is closed to motorized traffic. In the 1960s it was opened for this with a new bridge and asphalt road in the area. Although the reserve is particularly popular on Sundays and public holidays, the streams of visitors get lost on the more than 60 km of hiking and biking trails. But if you are out and about away from the parking lots, you will still find quiet spots on such days.
- 1 Parking lot "Stockstädter Brücke". The parking lot is located directly at the main entrance to the Kühkopfinsel near the Hofgut Guntershausen with information center (walking time about 10 minutes).
- 2 "Richthofenplatz" car park. The parking lot is located directly at the Kühkopf access near the Erfeld pedestrian walkway. To Hofgut Guntershausen with its information center, you walk from here on the near-natural path past the Kisselwörth, just 2.5 km.
- 3 "Knoblauchsaue" hiking car park. located in the north on the NSG part Knoblauchsaue.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Environmental education center "Schatzinsel Kühkopf", Outside 27, 64589 Stockstadt am Rhein (Close to the Kühkopf access at Stockstadt). Tel.: 49 (0)6158 1886039. The center is located in the historical buildings of Hofgut Guntershausen from before 1580. The permanent exhibitions "Mitten im Fluss", "Geschichte im Fluss" and "Welt im Fluss" - (subjects of nature and history of the protected area A model of the Kühkopf can be viewed with flood simulation). An event program is offered. For information and dates, see the center's website. Some of the offerings include art exhibitions (changing; some works of art are also in the courtyard) the side of the Friends of Hofgut Guntershausen e.V. to find. There is also an excursion restaurant (Cafe Kühkopf) in the courtyard.Open: April 1st to October 31st: Tuesday - Friday 2pm - 6pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10am - 6pm, November 1st - March 21st: Tuesday - Friday 2pm - 5pm, Sat, Sun and public holidays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Price: free entry.
- Bird watching stands: There are over 250 species of birds in the NSG. The observation stands on are also particularly recommended Schlappeswörth arm, at the "Aquarium" and on "Krönkesarm"and from there to observe nature.
- Alluvial nature trail - 17 km long nature trail with numerous information boards on the Kühkopf Island
- Apple educational trail - is located on the paved main path of the Kühkopf towards the Rhine.
- 2 Petroleum delivery pump. The decommissioned pump is reminiscent of the oil production in Ried in Hesse (information board is available on site). The industrial monument is located near the Kühkopf entrance to Stockstadt.
- 3 Sweden column.
the column is in the Knoblochsaue outside the Old Rhine Island. The monument commemorates the crossing of the Rhine by the Swedish King Gustav Adolf and his army.
activities
- To go for a walk - There are several signposted circular hiking trails. For a shorter day hike, for example, we recommend circular hiking trail no. 2 "Nightingale Trail" on the Kühkopfinsel. The route opens up the Guntershausen estate and the observation point at Schlappeswörth on more natural, gravel paths. The route leads in the area of the oxbow lakes in the area of the alluvial forest. At the edge of the path you can find some pollarded willows. Starting at the car park in Erfelden, you are about 8.5 km on the road (about the same length from the Stockstadt car park)
- To go biking - Especially the main path to the Rhine piercing is suitable for bike tours.
- In-line skating- The asphalt or concrete road from the Kühkopf access "Stockstadt" towards the Rhine is also used for inline skating. The surface is partially damaged. This is not possible from the northern Kühkopf access from Erfelden. There are longer gravel paths here until you come to the asphalt path area.
kitchen
- 1 Café Kühkopf, Outside 27, 64589 Stockstadt am Rhein. - At the Guntershausen estate. Open: Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays and public holidays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 2 Altrheinschänke (located in Erfelden not far from the pedestrian walkway). Open: Tue to Sun.
- Apiary Gottschall apiary, Outside 27, 64589 Stockstadt am Rhein. Tel.: 49 6150 53941.
- Altrheinschänke, Tues to Sun.
- Forsthaus Kühkopf. Open: closed since 2015 (as of May 2018). A reopening is not planned.
accommodation
The next places with accommodation are Stockstadt, Erfelden and Leeheim. There is also a campsite at the Riedsee.
security
There are no problems with crime, the only troublemakers are the gnats ...
trips
literature
- Northern Ried cycling map with Mainz - scale 1: 30,000, 2nd edition - ISBN 978-3-931273-45-3 , Price: 7 €. The map is accompanied by a 16-page booklet with tour suggestions from the local ADFC (General German Bicycle Club). The sheet cut of the map can be downloaded here as a PDF file can be viewed. The map is also available directly from Meki Landkarten Verlag available.
- The breath of the floodplains - forays through Kühkopf and Knoblochsaue, Stiftung Hessischer Naturschutz, 80 pages, 151 illustrations, 1st edition from May 1997, ISBN 978-3-921156-64-3 , published for € 10.70 by the specialist publisher Dr. Fraund
