Top 20 Lakes around Dannau

The lakes around Dannau are nestled within the picturesque Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, characterized by rolling hills, forests, and diverse ecosystems. You'll find extensive reed beds, fens, and wooded hilltops, especially around the Sehlendorfer Binnensee Nature Reserve and Dannauer See. Many lakes, like the Großer Plöner See, offer stunning panoramic views and are significant breeding and resting grounds for various water birds, including sea eagles.

The Großer Plöner See is the largest and deepest lake in Schleswig-Holstein, offering a wide array of recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy swimming at designated spots, various water sports like canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding, or fishing. The lake is surrounded by scenic landscapes ideal for cycling and hiking, and boat tours are available. Its excellent water quality makes it perfect for swimming.

The Dannauer See is a local natural gem directly in Dannau, forming the core of a 40-hectare nature reserve. It's a shallow lake with extensive silting areas, framed by reed beds and fens, making it a crucial breeding and resting area for native water birds like common goldeneyes and great crested grebes. It's also home to the rare European fire-bellied toad. A circular hiking trail allows visitors to experience its tranquility and botanical beauty, including water lilies and pond roses in summer.

Yes, beyond the Großer Plöner See and Dannauer See, you can explore the Kellersee, which offers a 14.6 km hiking trail, swimming areas, and opportunities for angling. The Dieksee features a popular promenade along its western shore, ideal for leisurely strolls. Another option is the Trentsee, a smaller lake surrounded by a hilly moraine landscape, offering a cozy seating area on the water.

Yes, there are numerous hiking opportunities. The Dannauer See has a marked circular hiking trail, approximately one hour long. For more extensive options, the Großer Plöner See is surrounded by marked circular hiking and cycling trails, including parts of the 200 km Holsteinische Schweiz cycling route. You can find specific hiking routes, such as the "Dannauer Lake – Dannau Village loop," on the Hiking around Dannau guide.

The Großer Plöner See is particularly well-suited for water sports. You can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and rowing. Scuba diving is also permitted in certain areas. The Kellersee also offers opportunities for pedal boating and canoe trips.

Yes, the region is excellent for cycling. The Großer Plöner See is integrated into the 200 km Holsteinische Schweiz cycling route. You can find various cycling routes, including gravel biking and road cycling options, that take you past the lakes. Explore routes like the "View of Lake Dieksee – View of Großer Plöner See loop" in the Gravel biking around Dannau guide or the Road Cycling Routes around Dannau guide.

Many lakes around Dannau are very family-friendly. The Großer Plöner See offers numerous bathing spots and opportunities for easy water activities. The Dieksee Promenade is a paved trail suitable for strollers, and the Sehlendorfer Binnensee Nature Reserve offers an almost adventurous experience with narrow wooden bridges that children might enjoy, alongside information boards about bird species.

While specific regulations vary by location, the general area around the lakes in Holstein Switzerland is often dog-friendly, especially on trails. The Kellersee, for example, has areas that are considered dog-friendly. Always keep dogs on a leash, especially in nature reserves like Dannauer See, to protect wildlife, and be mindful of local signage regarding dog access to swimming areas.

The lakes are beautiful year-round, but the best time depends on your preferred activities. Spring (April-May) offers vibrant botanical beauty, with yellow-flowering water irises and active birdlife. Summer (June-August) is ideal for swimming, water sports, and enjoying the extensive fields of water lilies. Autumn (September-October) provides stunning fall foliage for hiking and cycling. Winter offers a serene landscape, though some activities may be limited.

Public transport options exist within the Holstein Switzerland region, connecting towns like Plön and Malente, which are situated directly on or near major lakes like Großer Plöner See, Dieksee, and Kellersee. From these towns, you can often access the lakes by foot, bike, or local bus services. For specific routes to Dannau and its local lake, it's advisable to check regional bus schedules.

Parking is generally available in the towns and villages adjacent to the larger lakes, such as Plön, Malente, and Bosau for the Großer Plöner See, Dieksee, and Kellersee. For the Dannauer See, parking can be found within the municipality of Dannau, often near the start of the circular hiking trail. Look for designated parking areas or signs in these locations.

Visitors frequently praise the diverse natural beauty and the wide range of activities. Many appreciate the tranquil atmosphere of nature reserves like Dannauer See, the adventurous crossings over narrow wooden bridges at Sehlendorfer Binnensee, and the stunning views from various viewpoints around lakes like the Kellersee. The excellent water quality for swimming and the extensive network of hiking and cycling trails are also highly valued.