STUTTGART – Up and out of the house and into the cool water! In Baden-Württemberg it is never far to the next water experience. Whether it's a river cave expedition in the Swabian Alb, canyoning in the Black Forest or SUP (StandUp Paddleboard) yoga on Lake Constance: Southwest Germany has it all. You can find refreshment as well as extra kick to your holiday in Southwest Germany.
Trapper Feeling on the Neckar: Canoe Tour with Gin Workshop in the Odenwald
Glide through the “Odenwälder Everglades” like a trapper in a canoe on the Neckar and distill your own moonshine gin at the end of the water journey. There is a feeling of the Wild West at the distillery workshop at the Englert distillery. At the time of Prohibition in the USA, “Moonshine” referred to illegally distilled liquor, which was usually sold in mason jars and was very potent thanks to its high alcohol content. However, the aftermath was often inevitable due to the poor quality of the alcohol. Fortunately, there is expert guidance at the distilling event in Gundelsheim's old town. You may choose your own botanicals to create a special drink that you can take with you and enjoy without regrets.
El Dorado for Treasure Hunters: Panning for Gold on the Upper Rhine
With a length of over 1,233 kilometres, the Rhine, from Switzerland to the North Sea, is one of the most important rivers in Europe and one of the busiest waterways in the world. The largest share of the German section of the Rhine is in Baden-Württemberg. Over 437 kilometres of the river goes through Southwest Germany and offers plenty of space for varied water experiences from punting to rafting. In Weil am Rhein, treasure hunters and adventurers can indulge in a gold rush experience and encounter millennia-old traditions and real myths: Equipped with a washboard and an excavating pan, the search for the legendary Rhine gold leads visitors into the waters of “Father Rhine.”
Wild Along the Water: Riverbed Hiking in the Murgtal
Tens of millions of years ago, ice and water formed the natural landscape of the Black Forest. Action fans can experience earth history live while canyoning or riverbed hiking. In the Todtnau mountains or in the Murgtal in the northern Black Forest, the River Murg still flows in an original river bed. The first adrenaline rush comes when rappelling from a height of 15 meters. Afterwards you hike over hill and dale through the middle of the riverbed. To prevent the tour from becoming a slippery slope, sturdy shoes are a must. You can then plunge into the water without stopping while soft rafting through the rapids.
Get In and Switch Off: Punting on the Tauber Wetland
One place, four different experiences: A punting trip in the river Tauber wetland and nature reserve on the Upper Rhine always follows the same route, but presents itself in a completely new look every season. Sometimes nature is in full bloom and at other times of the year, a magical mist falls upon the barren meadow landscape. What remains is the incomparable peace that surrounds you as the boat glides through the waters of the small tributary, the “Blinde Elz.” The silence is only broken by the occasional calls of the animals that populate the nature reserve near Rust. The boatmen know them by name – and are happy to introduce them to their guests.
Off to the Underworld: Cave Tour in the Swabian Alb
The Swabian Alb is considered one of the most cave-rich areas in Europe. Around 2,500 natural and show caves are spread across the Karst mountains. One of the longest caves in the region is the Falkensteiner Cave near Bad Urach. It cuts about nine kilometres into the rock and is the only water-bearing cave in Germany where tours are possible. Equipped with a wetsuit and helmet including a headlamp, the adventure can begin. After passing through the imposing entrance portal, you enter the cave with a deep bow and it becomes dark.
Close to Nature: Birdwatching at the Lake Federsee
There is a lot to discover for bird lovers and nature lovers at the Lake Federsee in Upper Swabia. You can only reach the observation points via wooden footbridges through the one-meter-high reeds. The over 33 square kilometres nature reserve is the largest moor landscape in Baden-Württemberg and a habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Ornithologists travel from all over Germany to see some of the 272 bird species that live here. For example, for the rare bearded tit or the field warbler, whose whirring chirp sounds like a bicycle passing by. With a bit of luck, you can spot them on one of the birdwatching tours offered all year round.
Keeping In Balance: Sunrise SUP Yoga on Lake Constance
Even before the first rays of sun touch the surface of the water, you can take a stand-up paddle board (SUP) from the island of Reichenau out to the middle of Lake Constance. While the cool air is still calm in the morning, the yoga group prepares for the sun salutation. Now it's time to take a deep breath and stay balanced. Because in SUP yoga, the ground always moves with you. The body is strengthened while the mind finds peace until the steady wave movements of the lake and the warming sun carry you into the new day.