Camping at the Upper Rhine

An international flair, lushly wooded hilly landscapes, cultural highlights and navigable waters make a camping holiday on the Upper Rhine extremely appealing. The many river meadows with protected landscape areas are the perfect place for nature camping. Over a length of 360 kilometres, the section of the Rhine meanders through the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. The towns on the banks between Basel and Bingen and their surroundings open up further leisure opportunities for city campers.

Special features of camping on the Upper Rhine

Most of the holiday region is located in south-west Germany, in one of the warmest regions of the country. The campsites on the Upper Rhine are idyllically situated on the banks of a river, in the countryside by a lake or in the midst of wooded nature. Those seeking relaxation and active sports enthusiasts in particular appreciate idyllic riverside camping, which is generally possible between spring and autumn.

A holiday in the Upper Rhine countryside is recommended for families, couples and friends alike - with or without dogs. At the top of the list of leisure activities are hiking and cycling. For example, the RheinTerrassenWeg near Worms and the Römerradweg near Offenburg are among the most popular routes. If you don't have your own bike with you, there are hire stations in many places.

Travelling

The Upper Rhine region has excellent connections to the German road network. Its most important motorway is the A5. It runs from Hattenbacher Dreieck to Frankfurt am Main and from there almost parallel to the Rhine.

Along its entire route, family-friendly service stations with refuelling facilities invite you to take a short break, for example behind Frankfurt Airport in Gräfenhausen, in Hardtwald near Heidelberg or in Baden-Baden. While the A5 leads directly to the southern Upper Rhine, the A6, A60 and A67 motorways also connect the central and northern Upper Rhine.

Campers from northern Germany follow the A5, as do travellers from the Ruhr region. It is also the fastest connection for motorists travelling from Berlin and Leipzig. Those travelling to the Upper Rhine from southern Germany, on the other hand, choose the A6 or the A8, depending on their point of departure.

An alternative to the motorways is the B9. It starts at the Dutch border and leads via Cologne, Worms and Speyer to the French city of Strasbourg. Other motorway options in southern Germany include the B3, B35 and B36. If you are making a detour to France, you need to remember the toll roads.

Destinations on the Upper Rhine

The Vosges Mountains to the west, the Black Forest to the east - the Upper Rhine region is surrounded by natural landscapes with a multitude of marked cycling and hiking trails. Time and again, the paths lead close to towns and cities that are well worth a visit and guarantee a varied holiday with their history and important sights.

Freiburg

Freiburg is the southernmost city in Germany. A favourite attraction is the beautiful old town, which is surrounded by many waterways. In the centre of the historic town, the cathedral dating back to 1200 and the Old Town Hall are among the most famous sights. A stroll through the botanical gardens is just as worthwhile as a shopping spree on the Kaiser-Joseph-Strasse shopping mile.

Europa Park

The amusement park in Rust is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The colourful funfair world with innovative rides, family-friendly carousels, lovingly designed theme worlds and spectacular live shows is a great experience for young and old.

Speyer

The Imperial Cathedral of Speyer has been majestically enthroned on the banks of the Upper Rhine since 1106 and has always been considered one of the most impressive Romanesque churches in the world. A visit to the Museum of Technology is no less impressive. The extensive collection includes a gigantic Boeing 747 jumbo jet, locomotives, submarines and vintage cars.

Activities and excursions

The marvellous landscape between the Vosges and the Black Forest, between typical wine villages and romantic towns, is best explored on foot, by bike or on a boat trip.

Out and about in nature

The Taubergießen nature reserve is a jungle-like tangle of picturesque rivers, whose scenic beauty can be discovered on foot, by bike or by canoe. Another tour takes you up Freiburg's local mountain. Whether comfortably by cable car or on foot, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view from the 1,284 metre-high Schau ins Land mountain range.

For families with children

In addition to Europa-Park, there are many other options for young campers on the Upper Rhine. The family-run Black Forest Zoo near Waldkirch is home to over 200 animals, including raccoons, guinea pigs and dwarf goats living in lifelike enclosures. The Cigoland adventure park offers a fantastic combination of zoo, funfair and adventure playground.

Worth seeing

The futuristic cable-stayed bridge Passerelle des deux Rives is a popular attraction in the town of Kehl. It is a pedestrian and cycle-only crossing with a fantastic view of the Rhine. On the other side of the bridge is the EU capital Strasbourg with the European Parliament.

Gastronomy

Traditional cuisine in the Upper Rhine region is largely influenced by the delicacies of France, Switzerland, Baden and Swabia. In the southern part of the region, Black Forest ham, cherry cake and kirsch are particularly popular. Other specialities include Flädle soup, which is served with strips of pancake. No less popular are the many varieties of Swabian spaetzle.

Other regional specialities include pork shoulder, called Schäufele, with sauerkraut and boiled potatoes and Black Forest trout "Müllerin style". This is accompanied by a fine local wine or a beer from the neighbouring traditional breweries. Dessert favourites include warm apple strudel with ice cream, cherry michel with vanilla sauce and red fruit jelly with cream.

Best time to travel

One positive aspect is the favourable local climate, as the border triangle is considered one of the sunniest regions in Germany. From June to August, temperatures fluctuate between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius. On warm days, the good weather is ideal for extensive water sports activities, such as rafting, pedal boating or stand-up paddling. For those who want to swim, however, the numerous bathing lakes and the municipal outdoor pools are recommended.

In April, May, September and October, the thermometer reads between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius - ideal conditions for cycling and hiking tours or sightseeing. And with temperatures around freezing point, winter can also be perfectly combined with a camping holiday on the Upper Rhine, for example with a cross-country skiing or tobogganing excursion in the Waldau or Feldberg ski regions.