Walk along the former bed of the Rhine: from the drawbridge to the Ecluse

Before the construction of the Canal of Alsace (1928), the Rhine extended its arms east of the Huningue Canal (1806) over a wide area of 1km to 2km. From the Rhone Canal on the North Rhine to the Barre d'Istein on the Old Rhine, along paths and trails often in the protected areas of the "Little Alsatian Camargue.", you'll discover numerous natural and industrial sites related to the history of the Rhine.
Begin with a stroll between the drawbridge of Kembs (1831) and l'Ecluse Le Corbusier (1961).

Technical sheet

4098660
A Kembs walk posted on 20/03/16 by djhoward. Last update : 09/07/20
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.45 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 14 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 14 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 240 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 226 m
  • ⚐
    District: Kembs (68680)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 47.68777° / E 7.50364°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3720ET, 3721ET

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Around 1830, Huningue canal in Kembs

Description

This first walk along the former bed of the Rhine begins in front of the Heritage House of Kembs.

(S) From the car park, turn right on the Rue du Maréchal Foch. Take the 2nd left, the Rue Bader that descends towards the small marina. Go across the drawbridge.

(1) Turn left and for 100m follow the path that runs along a barge, this is the port restaurant.
Turn right, pass the memorial of the soldier killed in December 44. Cross the road and continue on the path that leads to the left bank of the Grand Canal of Alsace. Turn left to follow the canal downstream, going directly north. The junction with the Rhone-Rhine Canal is 1.5km away.

(2) After the junction, go under the road bridge, then go up onto the bridge overlooking the small lock which leads on the Canal de Huningue and the large marina. Take the dirt path parallel to the paved track, which runs along the pond usually populated by lots of birds. In the distance you can see the walkway and control tower of the Kembs-Nifer lock built by Le Corbusier (1961) and classed as an Historic Monument in 2005. Go beyond the bridge which spans the lock.

(3) Go back over your steps and then take the walkway that crosses the Canal de Huningue before the junction with the Rhine-Rhone Canal. Then turn left and get onto the left bank of canal on your left-hand side.

(4) At the entrance to the port and the small lock, leave the wide path for the trail to the left which runs along the Canal de Huningue. Continue along its left bank upstream, pass a beautiful wild pond and then under a road bridge.

(5) 1km after this bridge, when you get to the first boats moored in the small marina, descend on a trail to the right towards the Rue du Canal. Keep going straight ahead, at the crossroads with Rue Saint-Jean, turn left on the Rue des Jardins. Go behind the church to rejoin Heritage House(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 240 m - Rhin (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 234 m - Left after the drawbridge - Camping de Kembs
  3. 2 : km 0.74 - alt. 230 m - Grand canal d'Alsace
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 226 m - Canal du Rhône au Rhin
  5. 4 : km 2.57 - alt. 234 m - Bridge of the small Le Corbusier lock - Écluse Le Corbusier
  6. 5 : km 3.45 - alt. 233 m - Large Le Corbusier lock
  7. 6 : km 4.2 - alt. 233 m - Take the path upstream
  8. 7 : km 6.13 - alt. 233 m - Take the right-hand path - Pont-levis de Kembs
  9. S/E : km 6.45 - alt. 240 m

Useful Information

A short walk accessible to everyone in all seasons and very pleasant in the spring. Restaurant at the small Rue Bader marina or quick refreshments on the corner of Rue Bader and Rue du Maréchal Foch.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

The Heritage House: Wednesdays 14:00 to 18:00 and 1st Sunday of the month from 10:00 to 12:00. It provides information on the history of the city since the Gallo-Roman period, often linked to that of the Rhine.
A lot of information on the construction of the Grand Canal of Alsace, the development of hydroelectric power, and also on the flora and fauna in the area known as the Little Alsatian Camargue.
A visit will give you a better understanding of the walks along the former bed of the Rhine.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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