Discover Greffern: Rhine floodplains, polder paths and history

Greffern combines a landscape shaped by water with paths, cycling routes and traces of history. The controlled Söllingen/Greffern polder covers approximately 580 hectares and is regularly flooded for ecological reasons. As a result, a stay here focuses not only on the name of the village, but also on a landscape whose character is shaped by Rhine floodplains, polders and changing expanses of water.

Discovering the Rhine floodplains on foot

Those wishing to explore Greffern on foot will find various options for planning their day. A 7.5-kilometre hiking trail runs through the “Alter Kopfgrund” nature reserve. In the Rhine floodplains, signs provide information about the area, notable people from Greffern and historical events. In this way, the trail combines exercise with an understanding of the landscape and insights into the history of the village.

Another option is the circular hike through the “Kalter Grund” nature reserve. It leads from Rheinmünster-Greffern through the Rhine floodplains. Along the circular hike, walkers pass various polder structures. Those interested in the connection between the landscape and hydraulic engineering can make this route a particular focus of their stay. The two circular routes of the Polder Information Trail each cover around 6 kilometres and are located within the municipal districts of Söllingen and Greffern. They can be explored on foot or by bicycle. For further regional orientation, the route leads to the Söllingen page.

By bicycle and across the Rhine

Greffern also offers a specific starting point for longer cycling tours. The approximately 130-kilometre PAMINA Rhine Floodplains Cycle Route runs on both sides of the German-French border between Rheinmünster-Greffern and Drusenheim in France, as well as Leimersheim and Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. This makes it possible to extend travel planning beyond individual walks to a longer route. The “Drusus” Rhine ferry connects Greffern with Drusenheim and provides an additional link between the two banks.

Historical traces in the village

Greffern also has a church-historical side. The Catholic Church of St. John and Paul in Greffern has been documented since 1889. A chapel has already been documented in Greffern since 1366. These two details point to the village’s long religious history. Those who wish to discover not only paths and nature but also historical developments during their trip can include the church-related sites as a quiet cultural contrast to hiking and cycling experiences.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Greffern, it is worth first deciding on your preferred travel rhythm. If you mainly want to hike through the Rhine floodplains, the 7.5-kilometre trail in the “Alter Kopfgrund” and the circular routes of the Polder Information Trail can form the focus of your stay. For longer tours, the PAMINA Rhine Floodplains Cycle Route becomes the main attraction. The “Drusus” ferry and the historical sites add a cross-border or cultural perspective to your plans.

For families, it may be useful to alternate between a shorter circular route, a longer cycling stage and a cultural or historical stop when planning each day. This allows the stay to be planned around specific landscape and activity elements. Choose your accommodation according to the focus you wish to set: nature trails, cycling, crossing the Rhine or the history of the village.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rheinmünster.