Groß-Gerau: Nature, Trails and History

Nature Reserves and Landscapes

In the west of the district, along the Rhine, lies the Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue European Reserve. It is Hesse’s largest contiguous nature reserve and serves as a breeding and resting site for numerous resident and migratory birds. This makes it a special protected area for nature enthusiasts, with its importance to birds shaping its character. Mönchbruch Nature Reserve lies between Rüsselsheim and Mörfelden-Walldorf. It is the second-largest nature reserve in Hesse.

Several named tours also offer their own highlights. The Mörfelden-Walldorf Natura Trail is in the district. The “Kühkopf Tour” runs along the Rhine in Groß-Gerau district and Rheinhessen. For those interested in longer routes, the Luther Trail 1521 runs through the district for around 31.5 kilometres.

Trails with Different Themes

The Regionalpark Rhein-Main offers an example of how recurring landscape features can be explored along its section between Esch and Wallerstädten, the “Ebbelwoi-Päädsche.” Another urban hiking tour in the Regionalpark runs through the district from Klein-Gerau to Nauheim. These routes differ in character: one focuses on noticing features of the landscape, while the other is a stretch between two towns described as urban hiking. Which tour is better suited to an outing depends on which of these themes interests you.

For further discoveries, Groß-Gerau district offers guided tours on industrial history, Jewish history, environmental topics and urban development. Under the motto “Themed Tours,” Groß-Gerau district and KVHS Groß-Gerau invite visitors to discover the region and its sights in a special way. Alongside nature trails, there are also themed guided ways to explore the region.

History, Art and Regional Cuisine

In Groß-Gerau, the Handwerksmuseum (Crafts Museum) tells the story of the trades once practised there. It displays craft tools and archival material from the period when purely artisanal work was giving way to the machine age. The Fasanerie was once a hunting reserve for the Dukes of Darmstadt; the park was created between 1722 and 1726. Both places point to different chapters in local history.

Since 1 July 2014, the Groß-Gerau City Museum has had a section featuring drawings, prints and paintings by Groß-Gerau artist Wilhelm Altheim (1871–1914). Anyone interested in art and local history will find a specific artist and a clearly defined body of work here. Asparagus is a hallmark of the district’s cuisine. The Gerauer Land Asparagus Days, held in the wider region, offer insights into the history and tradition of asparagus cultivation and invite visitors to discover local specialities and the beauty of Gerauer Land.

Activities and Getting Around

For active days, the district offers various options: three well-maintained golf courses for beginners and experienced players, plenty of swimming opportunities in indoor and outdoor pools and bathing lakes, as well as opportunities to enjoy sporting activities, including in boats.

Transport connections are also easy to pin down. Regional-Express line RE 70 connects Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and Mannheim Hbf via Groß-Gerau Dornberg and Biblis. Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport lies partly within the district. Choose your focus based on the experiences that appeal to you most—such as nature reserves, trails, history or water activities.

Discover More Places

For further orientation: Trebur, Rüsselsheim, Raunheim, Kelsterbach, Groß-Gerau, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Gernsheim, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Riedstadt, Biebesheim Am Rhein, Büttelborn, Bischofsheim, Nauheim and Stockstadt am Rhein.

For the broader travel overview: Hesse.