Along the former bed of the Rhine: from the drawbridge to the Ecluse

Before the construction of the Canal of Alsace (1928), the Rhine extended its arms east of the Huningue Canal (1806) over a wide area of 1km to 2km. From the Rhone Canal on the North Rhine to the Barre d'Istein on the Old Rhine, along paths and trails often in the protected areas of the "Little Alsatian Camargue.", you'll discover numerous natural and industrial sites related to the history of the Rhine.
Begin with a stroll between the drawbridge of Kembs (1831) and l'Ecluse Le Corbusier (1961).

Technical sheet

227722
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 10 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 10 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 241 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 231 m

Photos

Description of the walk

This first walk along the former bed of the Rhine begins in front of the Heritage House of Kembs.

(S) From the car park, turn right on the Rue du Maréchal Foch. Take the 2nd left, the Rue Bader that descends towards the small marina. Go across the drawbridge.

(1) Turn left and for 100m follow the path that runs along a barge, this is the port restaurant.
Turn right, pass the memorial of the soldier killed in December 44. Cross the road and continue on the path that leads to the left bank of the Grand Canal of Alsace. Turn left to follow the canal downstream, going directly north. The junction with the Rhone-Rhine Canal is 1.5km away.

(2) After the junction, go under the road bridge, then go up onto the bridge overlooking the small lock which leads on the Canal de Huningue and the large marina. Take the dirt path parallel to the paved track, which runs along the pond usually populated by lots of birds. In the distance you can see the walkway and control tower of the Kembs-Nifer lock built by Le Corbusier (1961) and classed as an Historic Monument in 2005. Go beyond the bridge which spans the lock.

(3) Go back over your steps and then take the walkway that crosses the Canal de Huningue before the junction with the Rhine-Rhone Canal. Then turn left and get onto the left bank of canal on your left-hand side.

(4) At the entrance to the port and the small lock, leave the wide path for the trail to the left which runs along the Canal de Huningue. Continue along its left bank upstream, pass a beautiful wild pond and then under a road bridge.

(5) 1km after this bridge, when you get to the first boats moored in the small marina, descend on a trail to the right towards the Rue du Canal. Keep going straight ahead, at the crossroads with Rue Saint-Jean, turn left on the Rue des Jardins. Go behind the church to rejoin Heritage House(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 241 m - Heritage House - Former bed of the - Rhin (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 235 m - Camping de Kembs
  3. 2 : km 0.74 - alt. 232 m - To the left - Grand canal d'Alsace
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 233 m - Junction with the - Canal du Rhône au Rhin
  5. 4 : km 2.57 - alt. 238 m - Bridge - Écluse Le Corbusier
  6. 5 : km 3.49 - alt. 238 m - Kembs-Niffer large lock
  7. 6 : km 4.34 - alt. 237 m - Left bank path (upstream) - Canal de Huningue
  8. 7 : km 6.27 - alt. 236 m - Path on the right before the - Pont-levis de Kembs
  9. S/E : km 6.59 - alt. 241 m - Heritage House

Practical information

A short walk accessible to everyone in all seasons and very pleasant in the spring. Restaurant at the small Rue Bader marina or quick refreshments on the corner of Rue Bader and Rue du Maréchal Foch.

In the nearby area

The Heritage House: Wednesdays 14:00 to 18:00 and 1st Sunday of the month from 10:00 to 12:00. It provides information on the history of the city since the Gallo-Roman period, often linked to that of the Rhine.
A lot of information on the construction of the Grand Canal of Alsace, the development of hydroelectric power, and also on the flora and fauna in the area known as the Little Alsatian Camargue.
A visit will give you a better understanding of the walks along the former bed of the Rhine.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 23 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Névissac
Névissac

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant and very easy walk along the water's edge
to do in all seasons

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Pit
Pit

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk, interesting locks and various birds.

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palaco32
palaco32

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A peaceful walk along the water. If it's hot, bring plenty of water, as the route is not shaded.

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PhiPo
PhiPo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A nice little walk to enjoy with family and/or friends.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your comment
Have a good trip

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warteko
warteko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This is my first experience with VISORANDO, and it's been a pleasant discovery!
I was looking for an alternative to the usual walks around my home town (Riedisheim), and I came across this suggestion. The architecture of the locks and the geography of the converging watercourses (Grand Canal, Canal du Rhône au Rhin, Canal de Huningue) are all very interesting, and it's a nice little loop to get some fresh air on a lovely afternoon!

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your comment

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Attilab
Attilab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We really enjoyed this route,

very well explained.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your feedback
Enjoy your ride

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Ismene
Ismene

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This is the second time we've used Visorando and we're very satisfied. The descriptions are precise and we didn't hesitate about which route to take. This trail doesn't offer anything extraordinary (although the Le Corbusier lock is interesting) but it's a pleasant and easy walk.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you for your feedback

Enjoy your ride

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tine50
tine50

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

this route corresponds in every respect to the description given.

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Mustromb68
Mustromb68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely little walk for late autumn, with magnificent colours and lots of birds to see.

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FJ6888
FJ6888 ★

Thank you
I'll mention this at the beginning of the description.

Sincerely

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Bruno1953
Bruno1953

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : N/A

Please note that this walk is not possible at the moment, as repairs to the Kembs marina lock are preventing it from being crossed.
In addition, the Niffer footbridge is (and will be for some time) impassable for safety reasons.

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