In Höchst, Rhine Delta landscapes meet a canoe route on the Old Rhine and notable historical landmarks. When planning your visit, it is worth considering these different highlights: the canoe route follows the river downstream to named destinations, while the Am Eselschwanz route is characterized by its surface and trail markings. The church and the exhibition depot, in turn, offer two different ways to explore local history.
Nature and the Rhine Delta
The Höchst section of the Rhine Delta Nature Reserve features unique lakeshore and wetland landscapes. Since 1995, the nature reserve in Höchst has been part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network. These two aspects emphasize different things: the landscape forms describe the natural environment, while Natura 2000 membership places the reserve’s history in a specific timeframe.
Canoe route and the Am Eselschwanz route
The canoe route on the Old Rhine runs downstream from Höchst to Gaißau and the Rheinspitz. This clearly indicates the direction and destinations of the tour. There is a launch point with parking in Höchst at Luisl’s Farm on Gartenstraße. Check access regulations before setting off; river conditions and navigational safety can vary.
The Am Eselschwanz route is paved throughout with a road-width surface and designated as a cycle path; some sections are also marked as a yellow-and-white hiking trail. These are two different details to consider when choosing a route: the asphalt describes the surface, while the markings indicate its designated use. The route also passes through a former bed of the Rhine. Until 1900, the Rhine flowed there between gravel and sandbanks; this riverbed is called Eselschwanz.
Local history and the exhibition depot
A document from 980 refers to Höchst as “the villages of Höchst on both banks” of the Rhine. This wording provides an early historical reference and records the name as applying to both sides of the Rhine. The Neo-Baroque parish church was built between 1908 and 1910. Neo-Baroque describes its architectural style, while the dates place its construction in time. The Höchst exhibition depot offers a different focus from the church: it displays work and everyday objects, most of which date from the early 20th century and illustrate life in the Rhine Delta community. The church building and the collection therefore relate to a similar historical period, but to different subjects of interest: architecture on the one hand and everyday objects on the other. The exhibition depot can be visited on open days; guided tours for school classes and adult groups are available by appointment. Check the specific dates before your visit.
Plan your stay around your interests
The routes differ in the features that can guide your planning: the canoe route focuses on the launch point, direction of flow and named destinations; the Am Eselschwanz route is defined by its continuous asphalt surface and partial hiking-trail markings. This can help you decide whether the water route or the paved path better suits your travel interests. If you are looking for a hotel in Höchst, you can choose your destination based on what matters most to you.
Discover more destinations: Schoppernau, Kennelbach, Buch, Doren, Andelsbuch, Mellau, Sulzberg, Bregenz
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