Ballauf-Wilhelmswörth, nature reserve in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Ballauf-Wilhelmswörth is Mannheim's largest nature reserve, a 340.9-hectare strip running tube-like along the eastern bank of the Rhine in the city's far northwest, within the northern Upper Rhine Plain. Its floodplain forest is one of the region's original alluvial woods, alongside the Reißinsel, and the adjoining small-structured habitats hold a species-rich avifauna and a great diversity of insects.

The area was protected as a landscape reserve in 1980 and expanded to full nature reserve status in December 1993 to preserve its natural habitats long-term. Its history as an undeveloped space within the Rhine floodplain shaped the diverse ecosystems found there today.

The name refers to historic field names tied to the Rhine landscape and its people. Today, visitors use the area for quiet observation and leisurely walks, showing how important such natural spaces are to the local community.

The area is best explored on foot or by bicycle, with simple paths along the riverbank suitable for different abilities. Visit in early morning or late afternoon hours to observe wildlife and experience the quiet character of the place.

At 87 metres above sea level, the reserve holds the lowest point in Baden-Württemberg, a figure recorded for the area within the Upper Rhine Plain. The floodplain forest here, together with the Reißinsel, counts among the original riparian woodlands of the region. The surrounding small-scale habitats are noted for their species-rich birdlife and insect diversity.