Ottenheimer Mühlbach: A calm 10‑km glide through Thomasschollen and Salmengrund

On a bright morning along the Upper Rhine plain, the Ottenheimer Mühlbach unfurls like a small ribbon of glass through Schwanau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This gentle 10-kilometre canoe route runs from Ottenheim to Ichenheim, tracing an old millstream before opening into the Altrhein and threading through the protected Thomasschollen and Salmengrund nature reserves. Clear water, soft reed beds and alder-lined banks make each paddle stroke feel deliberate and slow; the channel alternates between wide, reflective pools and tighter, moss-hung bends that demand a little steering but no technical maneuvers.

The trip’s heart is its floodplain forest—Auenwald—where willow and alder shade a saturated understory and reed margins host a loud, furtive life. Birdwatchers will watch for kingfisher flashes and the slow, deliberate stalk of grey heron; if you glide quietly you may spot beaver activity on fallen branches and the slick trails of water vole. Geologically modest but ecologically rich, this stretch is a living remnant of the Rhine’s former floodplain, kept intact by the reserve designations that protect Thomasschollen and Salmengrund.

Practical and beginner-friendly, the run is about 10 km with 2.5–3 hours pure paddling time. Launch at Ottenheimer Mühlbach—mühlbach meaning 'mill brook'—after a brief gear checkout and orientation, then paddle downstream through mixed widths toward the Anglerheim in Ichenheim where the trip ends and drivers are shuttled back. The route suits first-timers and families who want a low-stress water day that still feels remote; there are shaded rest spots for a picnic and places to step onto shore and listen to the forest breathe.

Why book this trip? It’s an easy-access river experience that delivers concentrated natural variety—quiet channels, reed margins, and reserve-status habitats—without the roar of the main Rhine. Local operators keep group sizes modest and the emphasis on leave-no-trace etiquette, making Ottenheimer Mühlbach a low-impact way to experience Upper Rhine nature. For photographers and curious naturalists it’s a micro-wilderness lesson: subtle, layered, and surprising.

Bring a dry bag, a camera with a good zoom, and sensible footwear. Expect a gentle current, watch for shallow gravel bars, and plan for the shuttle back to vehicles at Ichenheim. Along the way, anglers at the Anglerheim and footbridges let you glimpse a human history of riverside livelihoods: stone crossings, the remains of sluices and millraces, and signposts that mark the reserves’ boundaries. Guides emphasize river skills—reading the current, edging to avoid snags—and point out seasonal blooms as marsh marigold and willow catkins. The combination of easy navigation, protected habitat and close-to-home accessibility makes this paddle a favorite for repeat local paddlers and visitors seeking a nature day.