Rheinaue Bislich-Vahnum, nature reserve in Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Rheinaue Bislich-Vahnum is a protected nature area near Wesel that stretches across roughly 243 hectares of land along the Rhine. The site features open meadows, reed beds, and willow groves that flood regularly during high water, creating varied habitats for waterfowl and insects.
The area was designated as a protected zone in 1988 to preserve the river landscape from development and drainage projects. A restoration project later created a side channel about 1300 meters long that restored the river's natural dynamics and improved flood control.
The name Bislich refers to the nearby village, while Vahnum is a historical designation for this section of the river. Throughout the area, you can see evidence of traditional land use such as grazing meadows managed by local farmers that shape how the landscape looks today.
The area is accessible year-round and features marked walking trails, including a popular loop of about 14 kilometers. Free maps and downloadable GPS data are available to help with navigation and to plan your own explorations.
The area underwent an ambitious restoration project that created a new river side channel and partially returned the landscape to its natural state after decades of channelization. This recovery allowed the Rhine to flow more naturally while also improving flood management.
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