Discover Muttersholz

Muttersholz combines a landscape shaped by the wetlands along the Ill with paths exploring nature and traces of the town’s history. If you are planning a stay, you can choose from a range of themes: short trails with information boards, activities focused on nature and the environment, or a look at the history of its buildings and commemorations. When choosing a route, it is important to consider not only its theme but also the conditions along the way.

Ried landscape and wetlands

The Ill floodplain is home to a variety of animal and plant life typical of wetlands that have become rare. The Ried de l’Ill à Muttersholtz is designated as a continental ZNIEFF type 1 site and includes the municipality of Muttersholz. A large part of this Ried lies within the Rhin Ried Bruch de l’Andlau special protection area, Sector 7. Here, the landscape is both a habitat and an area with a specific protected-area designation.

Those wishing to explore nature along a trail will find a range of options: the Botaried botanical and digital trail is open year-round, unless flooding occurs. SensoRied is a 1.5-kilometre barefoot trail, with information boards covering topics in nature, agriculture and the environment. The trail operates seasonally, from May to September.

Trails and outdoor activities

The Sentier de la Mouette is two kilometres long, follows the Ill River and crosses a dam. It is inaccessible during floods. By comparison, SensoRied is shorter, at 1.5 kilometres; the two trails also differ in their themes and routes. When planning, it is therefore important to consider both the trail length and seasonal or flood-related conditions.

The Chemins de la Transition focus on something different. This freely accessible educational trail uses information boards to present ten specific local measures for ecological and energy transition. Rather than focusing primarily on individual nature topics, it makes these measures the subject of the walk.

Guided activities and other formats are also part of the local offerings. The Maison de la Nature offers nature outings and workshops on the transition, with several programs available year-round. Le Batelier du Ried sets off from Muttersholz on several discovery tours in flat-bottomed boats. Their themes are related to nature, history or fantasy. An orientation game, Les Mystères du Ried, is located in the centre of Muttersholz and offers another way to explore.

Traces of history in the town

The building history of the Protestant Church of Saint-Urbain can be traced through several dates. Its oldest part is a choir tower, probably dating from the 13th century. A larger choir with a polygonal end was added in the 14th or early 15th century. The dating of the tower is explicitly tentative.

Another historical change concerns the mill at Ehnwihr: it was converted into a hydroelectric power station in 1897. Stolpersteine in Muttersholz also commemorate local residents who were victims of the Shoah. These sites and buildings highlight different themes—from the history of energy production and the development of a church building to remembrance of those persecuted.

When choosing a hotel, these interests may help you decide: would you mainly like to explore trails and wetlands, take part in nature activities, or include historical themes in your stay? Muttersholz offers a range of ways to do so; the trails mentioned differ not only in length but also in theme and operating conditions.

Discover more destinations: Rosheim, Mothern, Duttlenheim, Langensoultzbach, Waldhambach, Ingwiller, Schillersdorf, Climbach

Back to the regional travel guide: Bas-Rhin.