Hördter Rheinaue, Protected area in Hördt and Leimersheim, Germany

Hördter Rheinaue is a nature reserve south of Germersheim, designated in 1966, covering 818 hectares across Hördt, Leimersheim and Sondernheim. It protects old Rhine branches and floodplain forest that form part of the largest continuous riparian woodland in Rhineland-Palatinate. The site is also a Natura 2000 area (2,378 hectares) and a bird sanctuary.

The area was designated as a nature reserve in 1966 by regional authorities, making it the oldest protected site in its district. This early recognition reflects the ecological importance of the floodplain that was understood at that time.

The reserve's name comes from the villages of Hördt and Leimersheim, on whose land it lies south of Germersheim. Its old Rhine branches and sloughs are part of the Pfälzische Rheinauen landscape protection area, the largest connected floodplain forest in Rhineland-Palatinate. The EU bird sanctuary here extends as far as Wörth am Rhein and includes the Kahnbusch and Oberscherpfer Wald.

The reserve lies south of Germersheim, spread across the municipal areas of Hördt, Leimersheim and the Sondernheim district. The Rhine dyke forms its eastern boundary and serves as the main orientation line for visitors. The FFH area extends beyond the nature reserve to include the Eichtal-Brand, Altrhein Leimersheim and Altrhein Neupotz.

The reserve is planned as a flood polder that would be inundated only during a Rhine flood exceeding the 200-year mark. To prepare the forest for future flooding, ecological floodings are to be carried out. The nature reserve itself covers 818 hectares, while the overlapping FFH area covers 2,378 hectares.