Discover Stockstadt am Rhein

Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue: floodplain landscape and trails

The Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue floodplain nature reserve, covering almost 24 square kilometres, includes the Rhine island of Kühkopf and the adjoining Knoblochsaue floodplain complex to the north. The Rhine island of Kühkopf was designated a nature reserve in 1952. Within the wider Groß-Gerau travel destination, the Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue European Reserve lies in the west of the district along the Rhine. It is Hesse’s largest contiguous nature reserve and serves numerous breeding and migratory birds as a nesting and resting place.

The nature reserve has around 60 kilometres of hiking trails, all of which are also suitable for cyclists. The approximate total length gives you an idea of the extent of the trail network; when planning your excursions, you can start by deciding whether you would rather explore the area on foot or by bike. Local trail conditions are also worth considering.

Church, industrial monument and local history

The Protestant church in Stockstadt dates from 1607, and its distinctive tower is a landmark in the townscape. The church has a Dreymann organ built in the 19th century, which includes an Aeoline stop. According to the description, it is the only instrument of its kind to have this stop. The church therefore offers a tangible point of interest for anyone interested not only in the town’s history but also in its historic buildings and instruments.

Another chapter in the town’s history recalls oil production: the last surviving horse-head pump from that era stands at Stockstadt 38 well on Kühkopf. The municipality describes it as an industrial monument. Two boundary stones on the opposite banks of the Rhine commemorate Landgrave Ludwig VIII, who crossed the frozen river on foot with his entourage on 10 March 1740. The stones have survived to this day. The horse-head pump recalls oil production, while the boundary stones commemorate the historic Rhine crossing of 1740.

Stockstadt am Rhein Local History Museum

The Local History Museum is housed in the former steward’s house of the Guntershausen estate on Kühkopf. Its permanent exhibition covers the estate’s history, including the visit to Kühkopf by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in 1903. A replica gold-panning bench illustrates how gold was once panned in the Rhine. Other sections focus on oil production in the Hessian Ried and basket weaving.

A separate room in the Local History Museum depicts the emergency landing of Count Zeppelin’s airship LZ 4 on the Rhine near Kühkopf, at Kornsand, in 1908. Together with the exhibits on oil production and gold panning, the museum offers several ways to explore the region’s history: work and crafts, the estate, and a historic airship incident. This makes it possible to combine an interest in nature with local and regional history when planning a holiday.

Nature trails and a playground as additional highlights

The adventure playground at Rheintor is the largest playground in Stockstadt and is right next to the entrance to the Rhine island of Kühkopf. Playground facilities may change.

When looking for a holiday apartment, consider what you would like to focus on: would you like your stay to revolve around the trails in the nature reserve and cycling tours, or are you more interested in the church and museum? Stockstadt am Rhein offers specific nature and history highlights to help shape your holiday plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Biebesheim Am Rhein, Kelsterbach, Raunheim, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, Rüsselsheim, Groß-Gerau, Trebur.

Back to the overview of destinations: Groß-Gerau.