The Main-Kinzig-Kreis is getting one more tourist attraction: On September 11th, Ardeas Seenwelt is to be opened at the Kinzigstausee.

After intensive planning, work has now begun on the 6.5-kilometer circular hiking trail.

When everything is ready, visitors can expect 16 stations on the topics of water, fauna and flora.

Sometimes informative, sometimes playful, children and adults should deal with the world around the reservoir and learn about the function of the dam and the lake for flood protection and energy generation.

Luise Glaser-Lotz

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for the Main-Kinzig district.

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"We want to appeal to the head, heart and hand on the learning and adventure trail," says Susanne Simmler (SPD), the district's head of tourism and the environment.

Those who literally understand nature with their senses and experience it will also know what needs to be protected.

According to District Administrator Thorsten Stolz (SPD), the partners of the joint project want to raise awareness of the beauty and sensitivity of nature that lies on the doorstep.

Learning is on the same level as experiencing on the circular path.

Adventure trail, water playground and marble run

A specialist company is currently ensuring that this succeeds by installing interactive information boards, adventure and observation points as well as games and exercise programs. From mid-September onwards, an adventure path, a water playground that replicates the reservoir in miniature, and a marble run will invite you to play and learn. When everything is ready, there will also be bird watching stations and a fish-themed climbing wall. Relaxation is provided by wave loungers, hammocks and a rocking "relaxation nest". Variety is promised by various games of skill such as balancing over a landscape network. Stations are also dedicated to the fish in the reservoir.

The kiosk will be redesigned and expanded to include a viewing platform, a beer garden and a modern toilet facility. A new jetty is also planned to enable pedal boating and stand-up paddling. Cyclists should be able to charge their e-bikes while resting at a charging station. Visitors will also find a station on the 550 meter long and 14 meter high dam. It explains the technology of the dam, the power station and the function of the fish ladder.

Those who have completed the course will not forget the scientific name of the gray heron - Ardea cinerea - because the “Ardeas Seenwelt” circular route is not only the name of the project, the gray heron also leads from station to station under this name.

In several places the hiker comes across the "gray heron view", stations at which the bird world can be explored through the eyes of the gray heron Ardea with a telescope.

Opening planned for September 11th

The riverside path along the reservoir near Ahl, part of Bad Soden-Salmünster, and Steinau, which was created in the 1970s, has long been a popular destination for hikers and those looking for relaxation. However, the infrastructure, such as the benches, is showing its age. The future learning and adventure landscape should now change that and attract those looking for relaxation as well as nature lovers. The location on the R 3 long-distance cycle route from Rüdesheim am Rhein to the Rhön is also attractive. However, visitors are encouraged to stay on the paths and be careful with nature. Above all, the nature reserve on the north-eastern shore of the lake with its diverse bird life should not be impaired by humans. The routing and the stations on this section will be designed accordingly.

The “Ardeas Seenwelt” is supported by the recreational facilities association to which the Main-Kinzig district and the city of Bad Soden-Salmünster belong. The city of Steinau, the Kinzig water association, the Spessart Tourism and Marketing Society and several nature conservation associations are also involved via the partner network. The project is also funded by the municipal association Spessart regional.

The official opening of the Ardea learning and adventure landscape is planned for Saturday, September 11th. Information on the individual stations as well as campaigns up to the opening can be found on the website of Spessart Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, which is responsible for communication and marketing for “Ardeas Seenwelt” (www.spessart-tourismus.de/ardeas-seenwelt). There you can also find out more about a painting competition in which children between the ages of three and 16 can take part until September 6th. "The gray heron Ardea in his living room, the Kinzig reservoir" is the theme.