Rohrschollen Island and Nature Reserve in Strasbourg (short version)

A short trip to the Nature Reserve on Rohrschollen Island at the gates of Strasbourg.
A little-known getaway full of discoveries.
Please note that dogs are strictly prohibited in the reserve, even on a leash.

(5) June 2021: the city of Strasbourg has installed five rustic Highland Cattle cows on the island to clear the undergrowth beneath the power lines.

Details

n°2127964

Creation:
30 May 2019

Last update:
07 Jun 2021

Last review:
15 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 4.33 km
Average duration: 1h 15
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 6 m
Descent: - 6 m
Highest point: 150 m
Lowest point: 141 m

Country: France
District: Strasbourg (67000|67200|67100)
Start/End: N 48.523471° / E 7.801474°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3816OT
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Description of the walk

To park, pass the locks and go down the other side. Park on the dyke or below.

(S/E) Head north, staying on the dyke.

(1) When you reach the point where the island narrows, turn right until you reach the other side. You will then follow the course of the Old Rhine southwards.

(2) Pass in front of the bird observatory, which is unfortunately closed. (June 2021: observatory dismantled, only the footbridge remains)

(3) You will arrive at the submersible road that allows you to continue along the path if you plan to walk the entire length of the island (allow 2 hours of walking in total).

(4) Continuing along the path, you will come to a section built on stilts to prevent you from sinking into the rather damp ground and to protect the local flora.

(5) You will pass by the Highland Cattle pasture before emerging on the other side of the island at the foot of the Grand Canal d'Alsace dyke. Turn right and return to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 147 m - Parking at the dyke - Baggersee
1 : km 0.91 - alt. 142 m - Narrow point on the island - Rhin (fleuve)
2 : km 2.68 - alt. 142 m - Bird observatory
3 : km 2.73 - alt. 141 m - Submersible road
4 : km 2.83 - alt. 142 m - Path on stilts
5 : km 3.18 - alt. 142 m - Highland Cattle pasture
S/E : km 4.33 - alt. 147 m - Parking at the dyke

Notes

There are no water points on the route.

Worth a visit

Rohrschollen Island
Fish ladder next to the locks, allowing salmon to cross the hydroelectric dam and continue up the Rhine.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5

Route interest
4.2 / 5

sandyprune

15 Oct 2025 at 23:51 7200

This section of the trail along the Old Rhine has been closed since March 2025, in addition to the section closed in 2021.

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saverne67th

15 Oct 2025 at 18:39 7200

Hello,
Which section is closed? The one leading south to the Kehl dam? Or part of the section described in this hike?
The first has been closed for several years now.
As for the rubbish, I'm surprised because I've never seen any before.

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sandyprune

15 Oct 2025 at 18:36 7200

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

This route is a big disappointment: it is impossible to complete because part of the path is closed due to the risk of falling branches.
Rohrschollen Island resembles a large wasteland, with lots of rubbish lying on the ground and the paths not (any longer?) being maintained, not to mention the fly-tipping along the road leading to it.
Best avoided given its current state!

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Goujonpiscine

17 May 2024 at 07:13 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Starting location OK
Nice site
BUT: difficult to understand when to leave the dyke, which makes the route impossible as described. A shame.

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Compa

05 Jun 2023 at 11:37 7200

We didn't do this hike. There was a car boot sale in the car park and it was very crowded. We'll do it another time.

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elimut

14 Feb 2022 at 16:12 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike taken on a Sunday afternoon (13 February 2022) in beautiful weather; the route was therefore very busy.
However, there were two noise issues:
- noise from the power station or other industrial noise
- opposite the island is a motocross training centre: beware of the noise!

Thank you for this route.

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randonneur alsacien

24 Jun 2021 at 10:41 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely route for an afternoon

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DELABAROTTE

14 Apr 2021 at 17:19 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk, but perhaps a little early in the season as there were few birds and a cold north wind. We walked all the way around the island: the return trip along the dyke is a bit boring, whereas the outward journey is very nice.

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Claudine Roellinger

22 Jun 2020 at 13:26 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb!

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Vincentamja

15 Jun 2020 at 13:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short walk, perfectly suited to young children. The marsh landscape is truly surprising, just a stone's throw from an industrial area.

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Robert SCHOULER

24 Feb 2020 at 11:46 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It would be a good idea to add educational signs along the route depicting the flora and fauna with brief explanations of their role in the life of the Rorhrschollen island. In the same vein, there could even be signs showing the different fish found in the Rhine and the rivers on the island. At the entrance, a panel could show the history of the Rhine and the formation of the island since the early Middle Ages, as well as its political history and the different courses of the Rhine.
But the work done upstream is remarkable and gives hikers a great deal of satisfaction. Thank you for your commitment to our beautiful natural environment.

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Gehache

24 Feb 2020 at 10:53 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

A lovely little walk for young and old alike!

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Author

saverne67th
23 Walks

Visorando member

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