Top 20 Lakes around Essen
Lakes around Essen offer diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. The city, known for its green spaces, features several lakes that serve as important local attractions. These bodies of water provide areas for various outdoor activities and contribute to the region's natural appeal. The surrounding areas often include forests, wetlands, and open spaces, making them suitable for exploration.
Best lakes around Essen
- The most popular lakes is Putse Moer, a lake that is a marshy area partly on Dutch and partly on Belgian territory. It is easily accessible for paddling from a walk-in beach.
- Another must-see spot is Pannenhoef Nature Reserve, a forest with fens, heather, and forest drift. Visitors can expect an extensive and diverse nature reserve with several walking routes.
- Visitors also love Stappersven Observation Platform, a viewpoint for spotting water birds on the Stappersven. This platform offers views of open and semi-open landscapes, including moorland moors and forests.
- Essen is known for lakes, forests, and viewpoints. The region offers a variety of natural features to see and explore.
- The lakes around Essen are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 490 upvotes and over 230 photos shared.
Last updated: May 20, 2026
Putse Moer
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Pannenhoef Nature Reserve
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Stappersven Observation Platform
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Swallow Lake
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De Uitlegger Nature Reserve
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The German 'Forgotten Lines', built in 1917 - WW1 run through the domain.
The former landowner found the German bunkers on his domain disturbing landscape elements.
Solution: He ordered to cover these disturbing elements with sand. Many water features have been created in the nature reserve De Uitlegger. Today you can discover two Troop bunkers. Only 1 bunker is accessible. The other is a bat enclosure.
Did you know you: name reference of 'De Uitlegger'. This is an old name for the profession of 'Landmeter'. In the past, the owner was a Land Surveyor, hence the name for the nature reserve.
Just enjoy all this artificial.
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After having to sprint through the berms and switchbacks, this section allows you to rest
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Forest, fens and flowery meadows characterise the Pannenhoef, a beautiful nature reserve between Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen and Sprundel, which is no less than 706 hectares in size. Originally, a kind of mini-Peel was located here. The entire peat package was dug away in a few centuries, between 1400 and 1750. In dried form - peat - it went to the cities via peat canals, as fuel for households and breweries. The most famous is the 'Turfvaart' that runs to Breda. What remained was a hilly heath with fens in the hollows. There was little to be gained there and so in the 19th century the area was developed into forest and agricultural land. Walking through varied forest and flowery meadow When Brabants Landschap bought this area in 1970, it was boring with few natural values: fertilised agricultural land, young uniform coniferous forest and no more fens. Little life to be seen. After 40 years, that image has changed completely: attractive mixed forest and no less than 11 fens have been dug up again. With that, rare plants came back, such as the heath serpent and marsh stag's-wort. And amphibians such as the pool and moor frog. The forests are home to mammals, such as the polecat and roe deer and birds such as the green woodpecker and buzzard.
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The Zwaluwmeer is one of the striking features of the Kalmthoutse Heide Border Park. It is a large fen in the nature reserve, along heathlands and forests. This lake was created as a result of previous peat mining in the area. The Zwaluwmeer is an important part of the natural environment in the park and provides a habitat for various plant and animal species. The lake itself is submerged by reeds and aquatic plants, making it an attractive place for waterfowl, such as ducks, grebes and sometimes even rarer species. It is also a great location for birdwatchers to observe birds, especially during the migration seasons when migratory birds visit the area. Zwaluwmeer is often a peaceful and quiet place, ideal for nature lovers who want to enjoy the serene environment and the beauty of nature. It is a great place to walk, take photographs and relax while enjoying the serene nature in the Kalmthoutse Heide Border Park. #WandelTotaal
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A nature reserve that is worth walking in every season.
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easy trails accessible to all
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The Putse Moer is a swampy area northeast of Putte and west of Kalmthout, which is partly on Dutch and partly on Belgian territory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What water sports can I enjoy at the lakes around Essen?
Baldeneysee is a major hub for water sports, offering sailing, swimming, rowing, kayaking, windsurfing, and stand-up paddling. You'll find numerous clubs and schools around the lake. Kettwiger See also provides opportunities for pedal boating and swimming.
Are there good cycling and hiking paths around the lakes near Essen?
Yes, Baldeneysee features a well-constructed 14-kilometer cycle path popular with cyclists and inline skaters. For hikers, the 'Baldeneysteig' is a longer, approximately 27-kilometer circular trail with varied landscapes and panoramic views. The Pannenhoef Nature Reserve and De Uitlegger Nature Reserve also offer extensive walking routes through diverse natural settings.
Which lakes are suitable for families with children?
Baldeneysee is very family-friendly, featuring the Seaside Beach Baldeneysee with sandy shores, swimming facilities, beach volleyball, a climbing garden, and mini-golf. Krupp-Park Lake is within a park that includes playgrounds and sports facilities. The Putse Moer is easily accessible for paddling from a walk-in beach, making it great for families.
Can I observe wildlife at the lakes around Essen?
Absolutely. The area around Baldeneysee, particularly the Heisinger Bogen bird sanctuary, is home to diverse wildlife including kingfishers, cormorants, and turtles. The Stappersven Observation Platform is specifically designed for spotting water birds, and Swallow Lake is an important habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds.
What kind of natural landscapes can I expect to see?
The lakes around Essen offer a variety of natural features. Baldeneysee is a large reservoir surrounded by forests and wetlands. Krupp-Park Lake is part of a modern urban green space. The broader region includes marshy areas like Putse Moer, extensive forests with fens and heather in Pannenhoef Nature Reserve, and moorland moors with drift dunes around Stappersven Observation Platform.
Are there boat tours available on the lakes?
Yes, the Baldeney White Fleet operates from April to October on Baldeneysee, offering tours of the lake and cruises along the Ruhr River to Mülheim, with options for shore leave in Essen-Kettwig. Some tours are even on CO2-neutral electric ships.
What amenities are available at Baldeneysee?
Baldeneysee offers extensive amenities, including numerous beer gardens, ice cream parlors, kiosks, and restaurants. The Seaside Beach Baldeneysee provides food options like 'Seaside fries' and currywurst, along with recreational facilities like beach volleyball, a climbing garden, and mini-golf.
How can I reach the lakes using public transport?
Many lakes around Essen are accessible by public transport. Baldeneysee, for instance, is well-connected, allowing visitors to reach it easily from the city center. Specific routes and schedules can be checked with local transport providers.
Are there historical sites or landmarks near the lakes?
Yes, the 'Baldeneysteig' hiking trail around Baldeneysee passes by historical sites such as Villa Hügel. Additionally, De Uitlegger Nature Reserve contains remnants of German 'Forgotten Lines' from WW1, including accessible bunkers.
What outdoor activities can I do near these lakes besides water sports?
Beyond water sports, you can enjoy extensive cycling and hiking. For running, there are routes like the Stappersven Lakeside loop. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore trails such as the MTB Wildertse Dunes loop. For general cycling, options like the Beltmolen van Aerden loop are available.
What makes Krupp-Park Lake unique?
Krupp-Park Lake is an artificial lake within the revitalized Krupp-Park, playing a crucial ecological role in rainwater management for the park and the neighboring ThyssenKrupp Quartier. It's a modern green space that contributes to improving the urban climate and offers recreation in the heart of the city.
Is there a quieter lake option for relaxation?
Kettwiger See, also a reservoir on the Ruhr River, offers a more tranquil escape. Surrounded by dense forests, it's ideal for those seeking peace and natural beauty, with options for gentle water activities and proximity to the charming old town of Kettwig.
What do visitors appreciate most about the lakes around Essen?
Visitors frequently praise the diverse recreational opportunities, from active water sports and extensive cycling/hiking paths to relaxing sandy beaches and boat tours. The combination of natural beauty, wildlife observation, and gastronomic options, often described as a 'holiday-like atmosphere,' is highly valued.
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