Full day trip

First part of the itinerary:

Maison Rouge-Illhaeusern / 5 km (1 hour)

• Pass through the meanders of Maison Rouge and admire the very characteristic landscape of the Ill.
• Gravel beach inside the meader where wagtails normally nest.
  Important: Avoid landing on these beaches during the nesting period (April-May).
• The meander has steep soil banks where kingfishers and swans nest – you should avoid approaching them  during the nesting period (May-June) as the male swans are aggressive; they do however give you fair warning by spitting and fluffing themselves up…

Second part of the itinerary:

Illhaeusern-Illwald Forest

• You can stop at Illhaeusern to get something to eat at the Restaurant A la Truite.
• Pass through the picturesque village of Illhaeusern, with its typical Alsatian architecture.
• After Illhaeusern, stay on the Ill. The large river (straight ahead) will carry you right up to the Canoës du Ried nautical base.
• Once you pass the sand river, you will enter into Sélestat’s voluntary nature reserve (Illwald forest), where the Ill winds its way through an unspoilt natural setting, now and again shaded by the forest. There are two to three isles which are ideal stopping places for contemplating the surrounding natural environment.

Third part of the itinerary:

Illwald Forest- Canoës du Ried nautical base in Sélestat

• After Illwald forest, the your route continues through the meadows of the Ried.
• At level B10 you will have the choice between passing small doors in whitewater (quite technical) or to carry your canoe and reach the river after the obstacles
• The stretch of water (the Grossschlucht) which takes you to the Canoës du Ried nautical base is quite shallow.