There are many lakes in the Black Forest, but by no means can you swim in all of them. The Southern Black Forest and the High Black Forest offer large lakes such as the Schluchsee and the Titisee, small ponds with a lido and quiet cirque lakes where swimming is prohibited. This article sorts out the most beautiful swimming and walking lakes in the region, with distances from our hotel in Ühlingen-Birkendorf.
Lakes in the Black Forest at a glance
The following table summarises the most important lakes around the High Black Forest. The distances are from our hotel and are calculated by car with a route planner based on OpenStreetMap data.
| Lake | Swimming | Special feature | From the hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schluchsee | yes | largest lake in the Black Forest, reservoir | around 15 km, about 20 min. |
| Titisee | yes | natural glacial lake, Seestraße | around 34 km, about 35 min. |
| Windgfällweiher | yes (lido) | small pond, circular trail approx. 45 min. | around 21 km, about 25 min. |
| Schlüchtsee | yes | small artificial lake near Grafenhausen | around 9 km, about 15 min. |
| Field lake | no (nature conservation) | cirque lake on the Feldberg, accessible on foot only | Feldberg village around 31 km, about 35 min. |
| Albstausee | no | reservoir with circular trail near St. Blasien | around 24 km, about 25 min. |
Swimming lakes in the Black Forest: where you can get into the water
Schluchsee
The Schluchsee is, according to Black Forest Tourism the largest lake in the Black Forest and has been among the cleanest bathing lakes in Germany for years. There is a lido, an open-air pool right on the shore, a natural lido in Seebrugg and an excursion boat. You will find all the details in the article Schluchsee: sights, swimming and boat trips.
Titisee
According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the Titisee is the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. There is a bathing spot with a sunbathing lawn; in summer the water temperature is between 14 and 23 degrees, according to the tourism organisation. You can read more under Titisee: Attractions, hiking trails and tips.
Windgfällweiher
The Windgfällweiher near Lenzkirch lies in the three-lakes area between Schluchsee and Titisee. It is around 700 metres long, 400 metres wide and up to 6 metres deep. In 1895 the small pond was dammed to its present size. In summer a lido with stand-up paddling hire invites you to cool off (Strandbad Windgfällweiher); the operator provides admission prices and opening times. The landscaped circular lake trail takes about three quarters of an hour, and nearby there is a charcoal kiln with a restaurant.
Schlüchtsee
The Schlüchtsee lies between Grafenhausen and Rothaus and is therefore particularly close to our hotel. According to High Black Forest Tourism it covers around six hectares and lies at an altitude of about 900 metres. There is a sunbathing lawn with a gently sloping shore, a kiosk, changing rooms and toilets. About a third of the lake is covered with water lilies; you must not swim there. Boats are not allowed, and dogs may not swim in the lake.
On foot you can reach the lake in about 30 minutes from Grafenhausen or in about 20 minutes from Rothaus via the Schlühüwana-Park (information from the source).
Lakes for walking and admiring
Field lake
The Feldsee is an almost perfectly circular cirque lake at the foot of the Feldberg, at an altitude of around 1,100 metres. It can only be reached on foot, and swimming is prohibited for nature conservation reasons: a rare quillwort grows in the lake, and the area is part of the Feldberg Nature Reserve. We describe hikes, how to get there and parking in the article Field Lake: Round-trip route, hiking trail, and how to get there.
Albstausee near St. Blasien
According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the Albstausee in the Albtal is not suitable for swimming. However, there is a circular trail, and the dam wall can be walked along. The “Albseerunde” high-altitude climate trail is 8.71 kilometres long, takes 2:35 hours and starts at the Haus des Gastes in St. Blasien. Along the way there is a water-treading station with a view of the lake.
Mathisleweiher and Ursee
Two quiet bog lakes complete the list, both, according to High Black Forest Tourism not bathing lakes: the Mathisleweiher between Hinterzarten and the Feldsee lies in the Eschengrund nature reserve and can only be reached on foot. The Ursee west of Lenzkirch is surrounded by moorland, and its shore must not be entered; the best place to park is in Lenzkirch.
From lake to lake with the Dreiseenbahn
If you would like to leave the car behind, you can link several lakes with the Dreiseenbahn. The historic heritage railway runs on selected weekends from Titisee via Feldberg-Bärental and the Windgfällweiher to Schluchsee. At Schluchsee the train stops at Aha, Schluchsee and Seebrugg at the dam (Black Forest Tourism).
Practical tips for swimming lakes
- Water quality: Before swimming, consult the bathing water map of the state of Baden-Württemberg. At the Schluchsee, cyanobacteria appeared towards the end of the bathing season in 2020 and 2021, which can endanger swimmers (source: Wikipedia).
- Nature conservation: Restrictions apply at the Feldsee, Mathisleweiher and Ursee. Stay on the paths and only go onto the shore where it is permitted.
- Dogs: At the Schlüchtsee dogs may not swim in the lake; at the Schluchsee dog swimming is prohibited on the lakeside circular trail from 1 June to 15 September.
- Ice: Never walk on frozen lakes without explicit clearance. At the Schluchsee it is prohibited in general.
- Best time: For swimming, summer; the lakes are quieter early in the morning and in autumn.
Your starting point for lakes in the Black Forest: Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde
From our hotel in Ühlingen-Birkendorf you can reach the Schlüchtsee in around 15 minutes and the Schluchsee in about 20 minutes by car. If you would like to be active on foot, you will find an enjoyable walk in our article on the Jägersteig at Schluchsee ; we collect more ideas under Summer holiday in the Black Forest.
For days when the weather does not invite swimming, we have an indoor pool of 84 m², a panoramic sauna with a forest view, a Kneipp water-treading pool and two sunbathing lawns (“Garten” with 300 m² and “Waldblick” with 1,350 m²). The spa area is open daily from 09:00 to 20:00. Day guests will find the Day Spa, overnight guests our Arrangements; you can book directly via the Book page.
Frequently asked questions
Which lakes in the Black Forest are suitable for swimming?
Suitable for swimming are, among others, Schluchsee, Titisee, Windgfällweiher and Schlüchtsee. Feldsee, Albstausee, Mathisleweiher and Ursee are not bathing lakes.
What is the largest lake in the Black Forest?
According to Schwarzwald Tourismus, the Schluchsee, a reservoir. The Titisee is regarded as the largest natural lake.
Can you swim in the Feldsee?
No. A general ban on swimming applies to protect nature.
Which lake is closest to the hotel?
The Schlüchtsee near Grafenhausen: around 9 km, about 15 minutes by car.
Which lakes can I reach without a car?
Titisee, Schluchsee and Feldberg-Bärental station are on the Dreiseenbahn line; the Windgfällweiher is about a 30-minute walk from Altglashütten-Falkau station. The Feldsee can only be reached on foot.
When is the best time for lakes in the Black Forest?
For swimming, summer; for walking, spring to autumn. In winter, walks are worthwhile, for example at the Titisee.
Sources
- Hochschwarzwald Tourismus: Lakes in the Black Forest
- Schwarzwald Tourismus: Schluchsee
- Schwarzwald Tourismus: Titisee
- Hochschwarzwald Tourismus: Titisee-Neustadt (press release)
- Schwarzwald Tourismus: Windgfällweiher
- Hochschwarzwald Tourismus: Strandbad Windgfällweiher
- Hochschwarzwald Tourismus: Schlüchtsee
- Black Forest Tourism: Feldsee
- Hochschwarzwald Tourismus: Feldberg Nature Reserve
- Hochschwarzwald Tourismus: Höhenklimaweg Albseerunde
- Black Forest Tourism: Dreisenbahn
- Wikipedia: Schluchsee (supplementary)
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