Top 20 Lakes around Issum

For swimming and a wide range of water sports, the Xantener Südsee is an excellent choice, offering waterskiing, wakeboarding, diving, surfing, and sailing. The Freizeitsee Menzelen also provides good swimming conditions with a public beach and opportunities for surfing. The Auesee is another popular spot for swimming, surfing, sailing, and even diving with a sunken shipwreck. The Reeser Meer is also suitable for swimming and various water-based leisure activities.

The Balmans-See in Issum-Sevelen is ideal for nature observation and peaceful walks, known for its rich biodiversity and birdlife. The Bislicher Insel Birdwatching Area and the broader Bislicher Insel Nature Reserve are prime locations for observing diverse bird species, especially migratory birds in winter, and even water buffalo. The Rayerssee is also an ecologically balanced ecosystem with diverse fish populations, suitable for nature enthusiasts.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. The Xantener Südsee is very family-friendly with shallow water zones, sandy beaches, and a floating 'Wibit Sports-Park'. The Freizeitsee Menzelen also features a designated non-swimmer area for children and beach volleyball courts. The Littardkuhlen Ponds and the Bislicher Insel Nature Reserve are also marked as family-friendly spots for walks and nature enjoyment.

Many lakes provide pleasant walking opportunities. A walking path encircles the Balmans-See. The Freizeitsee Menzelen has a 3.3 km path popular for walking, jogging, and cycling. The Auesee features a 7 km circular path. The Rayerssee also has a path for exploring its surroundings. For more extensive hiking, you can explore routes near the Littardkuhlen Ponds and the Bislicher Insel Nature Reserve. You can find various easy hikes around Issum, including routes like the 'Fallow Deer Enclosure loop from Sevelen' or the 'Path Along the Nenneper Fleuth loop from Issum', by checking the Easy hikes around Issum guide.

Yes, the Freizeitsee Menzelen offers a separate dog beach where leashed dogs are allowed, making it a great option for dog owners. Many of the circular paths around lakes like Balmans-See, Freizeitsee Menzelen, and Auesee are also suitable for walks with dogs, provided they are kept on a leash.

The Xantener Südsee area is known for being wheelchair-accessible, offering facilities and paths that cater to visitors with mobility needs. You can find more information on accessibility at the Xantener Südsee via nrw-tourismus.de.

The Rayerssee in Geldern is primarily known as an angling lake, supporting a diverse fish population. It is well-suited for anglers looking for a peaceful fishing experience.

Beyond walking, you can enjoy various activities. The Xantener Südsee and Auesee are hubs for water sports like waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing, sailing, and even disc golf at Auesee. For land-based activities, you can find running trails, such as the 'Beer pump – Herrlichkeitsmühle loop from Issum', in the Running Trails around Issum guide. Gravel biking is also popular, with routes like 'The Leucht Forest Path loop from Nieukerk' available in the Gravel biking around Issum guide.

The best time to visit depends on your interests. For water sports and swimming, the warmer months from late spring to early autumn are ideal. For birdwatching, especially at the Bislicher Insel Birdwatching Area, the winter months offer a spectacular sight of migratory birds. Generally, spring and autumn provide pleasant temperatures for walking and cycling around the lakes.

For a more tranquil experience focused on nature, the Balmans-See in Issum-Sevelen and the Rayerssee in Geldern are generally quieter options. These lakes prioritize ecological value and angling, respectively, over active recreational water sports, offering a more peaceful environment for walks and nature observation.

The Littardkuhlen Ponds are a series of lakes formed from a silted-up old river channel of the Rhine. They offer a pleasant area for walking and enjoying the natural surroundings, particularly within the Lakes and Forests of Staatsforst Rheurdt/Littard, which is a nature reserve with a lot of forest and a lake-like river.