The Ill*Wald takes its name from the ‘Ill forest’ (Illwald in Alsatian), with an asterisk to symbolise the interactions between the natural environments (forest, meadows, marshes, water) and the strong involvement of Man in the site (multiple partnerships).
Managed by the City of Sélestat, the Ill*Wald has specific features that make it unique both regionally and nationally.
- the largest regional nature reserve in the Grand Est region and one of the five largest in France, covering almost 2,000 ha
- a place where a balance is struck between preserving the ecosystems at stake and maintaining human activities (agriculture, forestry, regulation hunting and leisure activities)
- an area for exchange and discussion, as demonstrated by the fact that more than 80 private landowners have joined the nature reserve
- preserved alluvial functions: spectacular annual flooding (from overflowing rivers and rising water tables) contributes to the site's extraordinary ecological richness in terms of fauna (pike, etc.) and flora (marsh chickweed, common gratiola, etc.)
- a dense (more than 130 km of waterways) and varied hydrographic network (Ill and its tributaries, groundwater rivers, ditches)
- the Illwald, one of the largest areas of flooded forest in France, which is home to two emblematic species: the majestic Fallow Deer, introduced in the mid-19th century and forming one of the largest wild herds in France, and the Yellow-bellied Toad, a small toad that is much more discreet in size, but with brilliant colours
- wet hay meadows typical of the traditional Ried landscape.
There are two self-guided trails through the Ill*Wald:
- a loop signposted by the Club Vosgien, offering the chance to walk through the heart of the alluvial forest and wander through the wet meadows (3h - 8km)
- a fun and informative signposted loop: the interpretation trail ‘L'Ill aux trésors’, accessible from Sélestat town centre (2h15 - 5km)
Two observatories are also available to the public:
- one in the middle of a meadow in the forest reserved for wildlife, where you can observe fallow deer, roe deer, foxes and other inhabitants of the forest
- the other on the edge of the ‘Rohrmatten’ site, with an overview of this reed bed criss-crossed by channels and pools of water, frequented by more than 130 species of birds every year.
Download the map of the circuits and access to the observatories.
Due to ash blight, a fungal disease that is decimating this forest species, access to the Illwald forest is restricted for all users. The paths that remain accessible are :
- the ‘Ill aux trésors’ interpretation trail
- the path marked out by the Club Vosgien (with the exception of the path that passes over the suspended footbridges)
- the eastern access to the big fauna observatory.
In windy conditions, which increase the risk of falling trees, we strongly advise against entering the forest, including on these paths.
For your own safety, we ask you to follow these instructions... which do not, however, mean the end of a great family outing in the nature reserve!