{"id":12376,"date":"2026-10-27T00:52:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T23:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de\/de_de\/seen-im-schwarzwald\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T00:52:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T23:52:52","slug":"lakes-black-forest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de\/en\/seen-im-schwarzwald\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakes in the Black Forest: the most beautiful swimming and walking lakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 \u00dchlingen-Birkendorf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Photo: Flominator<\/a> \/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lakes in the Black Forest at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake<\/th>Swimming<\/th>Special feature<\/th>From the hotel<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Schluchsee<\/a><\/td>yes<\/td>largest lake in the Black Forest, reservoir<\/td>around 15 km, about 20 min.<\/td><\/tr>
Titisee<\/a><\/td>yes<\/td>natural glacial lake, Seestra\u00dfe<\/td>around 34 km, about 35 min.<\/td><\/tr>
Windgf\u00e4llweiher<\/td>yes (lido)<\/td>small pond, circular trail approx. 45 min.<\/td>around 21 km, about 25 min.<\/td><\/tr>
Schl\u00fcchtsee<\/a><\/td>yes<\/td>small artificial lake near Grafenhausen<\/td>around 9 km, about 15 min.<\/td><\/tr>
Field lake<\/a><\/td>no (nature conservation)<\/td>cirque lake on the Feldberg, accessible on foot only<\/td>Feldberg village around 31 km, about 35 min.<\/td><\/tr>
Albstausee<\/td>no<\/td>reservoir with circular trail near St. Blasien<\/td>around 24 km, about 25 min.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Swimming lakes in the Black Forest: where you can get into the water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Schluchsee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Schluchsee is, according to Black Forest Tourism<\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titisee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the Titisee is the largest natural lake in the Black Forest<\/a>. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Windgf\u00e4llweiher<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Windgf\u00e4llweiher<\/a> 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 Windgf\u00e4llweiher<\/a>); 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schl\u00fcchtsee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Schl\u00fcchtsee<\/a> lies between Grafenhausen and Rothaus and is therefore particularly close to our hotel. According to High Black Forest Tourism<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On foot you can reach the lake in about 30 minutes from Grafenhausen or in about 20 minutes from Rothaus via the Schl\u00fch\u00fcwana-Park<\/a> (information from the source).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View
Photo: Schoschi<\/a> \/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lakes for walking and admiring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Field lake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>. We describe hikes, how to get there and parking in the article Field Lake: Round-trip route, hiking trail, and how to get there<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albstausee near St. Blasien<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cAlbseerunde\u201d high-altitude climate trail is 8.71 kilometres long<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mathisleweiher and Ursee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two quiet bog lakes complete the list, both, according to High Black Forest Tourism<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From lake to lake with the Dreiseenbahn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you would like to leave the car behind, you can link several lakes with the Dreiseenbahn. The historic heritage railway<\/a> runs on selected weekends from Titisee via Feldberg-B\u00e4rental and the Windgf\u00e4llweiher to Schluchsee. At Schluchsee the train stops at Aha, Schluchsee and Seebrugg at the dam (Black Forest Tourism<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical tips for swimming lakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n