Lake Bärwalde

Come here to sunbathe, windsurf and escape the daily routine. Sports, nature and culture – Lake Bärwalde offers the best of all worlds with a broad range of activities on and near the water. It is the biggest lake in the state of Saxony and its wide sandy beaches are popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. If you enjoy boating, you can set sail straight from Klitten marina and moor at one of the jetties at Boxberg/Upper Lusatia or Uhyst to take a break. The excellent wind conditions attract sailors, kitesurfers and windsurfers. A 21km surfaced path that loops all the way around the lake offers cyclists, in-line skaters and runners panoramic views across the water.

Lake Bärwalde was created by flooding the former Bärwalde lignite mine, a process which was completed in 2009.

Facts and figures

• Size of the lake: 1,299 ha
• Max. depth: 58 metres

Water sports

Fishing, swimming, motorboating, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing at Merzdorf beach (north-western lakeside) and at Klitten shore in the area around Schulenburg Canal; also kitesurfing at Merzdorf shore.

Swimming

The lake offers extensive beaches for swimming at Boxberg shore, in Uhyst and in Klitten, including some nudist beaches. There are also designated beaches for people with dogs at Boxberg shore, Uhyst and Klitten. At Boxberg beach, you can rent wicker beach chairs.

Official swimming season: 15 May to 15 September

The bathing water quality in Lake Bärwalde has been certified as excellent (since 2015, based on EU bathing water quality standards).
Supervision/lifeguard services are organised by the water rescue services of the state of Saxony on a voluntary basis and without a fixed schedule.

Water sports providers

• Lausitz boat hire at Klitten marina
• Dreiländereck sailing school: motorboats, sailing boats, stand-up paddling equipment and kayaks for hire

Harbours and marinas

Klitten marina is a well-equipped harbour with services for anyone looking to take a boat out for a cruise. It has a lighthouse and more than 120 permanent and seasonal berths, a picnic area and day berths. Klitten marina is the only location on the lake with a slipway for motorboats and sailing boats. Harbour master’s office: +49 (0)1577 354 1401

Service information

• Parking at Boxberg shore, Uhyst shore, Klitten shore and Merzdorf beach (charges apply)
• During the swimming season, i.e. from 15 May to 15 September, toilet facilities are open from 10am to 4pm (in good weather conditions until 6pm).
• Wi-Fi access is available at the premises of service providers on Lake Bärwalde, such as Kombüse Strandkost or Sternencamp at Boxberg shore and Marina Camp at Klitten shore (charges apply)

Leisure facilities and activities

• Playgrounds along the shore in Boxberg/Upper Lusatia and Klitten
• Four campfire/barbecue areas at Merzdorf shore, Klitten campsite, Uhyst Safari Park and Boxberg/Ableiter; advance booking required in writing
• 21km loop trail around the lake, suitable for cycling, in-line skating and running
• Landscape sculpture OHR (ear) with amphitheatre on Boxberg shore
• Skate park on Boxberg shore
• Rottway tours and hire at Klitten marina
• Uhyst Safari Park
• Nochten Boulder Park (6km)

Food and drink around Lake Bärwalde

• Kombüse Strandkost snack bar at Boxberg shore
• Snack bar at the Sternencamp Bärwalder See campsite at Boxberg shore
• Marios Strandimbiss food truck on Klitten beach
• Seeperle snack bar at Uhyst shore