Rust: Leisure, Nature and Local History

Rust offers a range of reasons to stay: Europa-Park is located in the municipality, Rulantica is at the gates of Rust, and the Climate Change Garden combines nature with knowledge about weather and climate change. There is also St Peter’s Church of the Chains and trails through the Taubergießen Nature Reserve. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first considering which of these aspects of the town matter for your trip.

Leisure and seasonal outdoor areas

Europa-Park is located in the municipality of Rust, between the Black Forest and the Vosges. Rulantica is in the immediate vicinity of Europa-Park. If you include both destinations in your trip, there is also a practical way to get around: the Rust bus connects Rust with Europa-Park and Rulantica. This makes it useful for guests who plan to visit these destinations during their stay.

Rulantica’s outdoor areas include Svalgurok, Dynstrønd and Snorri Strand. They are open from May to September, weather permitting. If these outdoor areas are a factor in your trip, the time of year is therefore an important part of your planning. The stated months and the weather proviso go together: even during this period, the actual weather remains the deciding factor.

Climate Change Garden and observation tower

The 1.8-hectare Climate Change Garden in Rust is a learning centre where visitors can learn about weather and climate change. It offers a different focus from the leisure attractions: here, the emphasis is on exploring nature and climate. This can be an especially interesting part of your stay if, alongside activity-based destinations, you would also like to explore and discuss a topic together.

The Climate Change Garden is home to the 18-metre-high Günter-Gorecky Tower, with 86 steps. The specific number of steps gives you a clear idea of the climb: as you plan your day, consider whether you would like to include the stairs in your itinerary. The garden and tower thus combine a learning centre with a clearly identified viewpoint, without requiring you to fit different subjects into a single visit.

Nature and local history

Several signposted circular trails for cyclists and walkers run through the Taubergießen Nature Reserve. You can add an outing to your stay where the route through the nature reserve itself takes centre stage. Whether you prefer to walk or cycle can help you decide which of the signposted circular trails best suits your interests.

Today’s St Peter’s Church of the Chains also offers a tangible connection to Rust’s history. It was built in the 18th century: the nave was inaugurated in 1728, and the church was consecrated in 1737. The two dates refer to different events and show that construction and consecration did not take place on the same date. For travellers interested in local history as well as leisure and nature, the church adds another perspective on Rust.

Planning your stay

The Rheinauen Nature Centre is an information, events and visitor centre in Rust. Together with the Climate Change Garden and the trails in Taubergießen, it offers several ways to explore nature: through information and activities at the centre, learning about weather and climate in the garden, or following signposted routes through the nature reserve. These are different ways to engage with the subject; choose what you and your fellow travellers would like to focus on.

The Rust bus runs daily from 08:00 to 22:30, except on 24 and 25 December, and travels through the municipality every 30 minutes. Its route has twelve stops and connects Rust with Rulantica and Europa-Park. If you plan to visit these destinations, the timetable is useful information for planning your day. Be sure to take the Christmas exception into account.

Discover more places

If you would also like to explore other places: Zell Am Harmersbach, Neuried, Oberkirch, Kehl, Berghaupten, Seelbach, Sasbachwalden and Haslach Im Kinzigtal.

For the wider travel overview: Ortenaukreis.