Paddling the Altrhein: an easy 10‑km glide from Ichenheim to Goldscheuer

Ichenheim-Goldscheuer offers a gentle canoe trip on the Altrhein near Neuried, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Launch at Rheinstraße 83, 77743 Neuried, Germany and paddle an easy ten-kilometer oxbow between the Anglerheim Ichenheim and the Europäisches Forum am Rhein. The float typically takes about two and a half hours with one short portage. A mild current does most of the work, so this is ideal for families and beginners. Willow and alder frame the banks while reed beds and shallow side channels create a patchwork of habitat. Watch for Eurasian beaver lodges, kingfishers, herons, and active dragonflies on warm afternoons. Geologically this arm is an Altrhein, a former Rhine channel left when the river migrated after glacial times, now supporting seasonal floodplain woods. The operation provides gear and a short safety briefing, after which paddlers run the trip self-guided while staff transport drivers back to vehicles. There is only one brief carrying spot during the route, manageable with teamwork and light equipment. Because water levels can drop in late summer, choose footwear that can get wet and a dry bag for valuables. The pace is unhurried and invites close observation rather than speed. This accessibility makes the trip a favorite regional half-day option for visitors based in Offenburg and nearby towns. It’s also a meaningful conservation corridor: the Altrhein avoids the Rhine’s shipping lanes and shelters species sensitive to disturbance. Paddlers should respect nesting seasons, pack out trash, and minimize shore landings to protect floodplain vegetation. Bring layered clothing, sun protection, water, and a phone in a dry case. A small point-and-shoot or smartphone will capture low-angle reflections and birds, but keep distance to avoid disruption. For a calm, education-friendly river day that trades whitewater for wildlife and quiet currents, the Ichenheim-Goldscheuer canoe run delivers. Families appreciate the short launch and easy sights: little oxbow beaches, shallow riffles that shimmer with minnows, and frequent pull-outs for snack breaks. Experienced paddlers will enjoy the subtle currents and opportunities to practice low-angle strokes and ferrying across gentle flows. Public transport options to the region are reasonable; check regional trains to Offenburg and local buses or car-sharing to reach Rheinstraße 83, 77743 Neuried, Germany. Reserve in advance when weekends or holidays increase demand, and ask the operator about water conditions if rain has altered the river. Groups leave more quietly when they stagger launches and keep voices low, which helps wildlife remain visible and relaxed. Typical itinerary starts with equipment issue and briefing, then self-guided paddling to the Europäisches Forum am Rhein followed by a return transfer for vehicles. This short, accessible Altrhein run stands out because larger Rhine traffic never reaches these quiet channels, making it a prime spot for close river ecology encounters daily.