The Märkter Altwasser is a former branch of the Old Rhine and today a chain of small ponds in Märkt near Weil am Rhein. These are largely located on private property and in the northern part a modern alder afforestation took place. There is a playground, a car park and a boules court nearby. Walks are possible towards the Isteiner Schwellen in the north and to overgrown forest lakes with high amphibian occurrence in the south.

Damp forest areas, ponds and ditches provide an ideal habitat for a variety of amphibians, such as the pond frog. Waterfowl and reed birds such as mallard, moorhen and reed warbler can also be observed here.

Tour

There is a small car park on the Märkt-Rheinauen link road near the village sign. The footpath leads from there southwards along the small ponds to the edge of the forest. Here there are various wet forest areas and remnants of a floodplain forest. The trail continues either through the forest to the connecting road to Haltingen or back, past the starting point, in the opposite direction to the north to the large pond with the option of continuing on foot or by bike in the direction of the Kander and the Rhine.

Refreshments

There are several picnic areas along the route and at the car park. Furthermore, a good restaurant with fish specialities is the "Krone Märkt" inn.

Other greenbelt sites in the vicinity

Märkter Staurhein 

Estuary of Kander

Kirchener Kopf

Gärtnerei Berg 

Krebsbachtal 

Quäggirhy/ Quackery Pond

Further information

Here you will find further information from our partner regionatur.ch on the municipality of Märkt.

Characteristics

Arrival

You can easily get to Weil am Rhein by public transport. However, the bus service to Märkt is very limited, and it is worth walking or cycling here. Those arriving by car can park their vehicles at the car park at the weir.

Calculate route