Top 20 Lakes around Raeren
Best lakes around Raeren are found in the East Belgium and Ardennes region, offering diverse recreational opportunities. Raeren, known for its historical buildings and pottery museum, serves as a gateway to these water bodies. The area features several impressive reservoirs and artificial lakes, providing a natural landscape for outdoor activities. These destinations are easily accessible from Raeren, making them popular for visitors seeking water-based recreation and scenic views.
Best lakes around Raeren
- The most popular lakes is View of the Dreilägerbach Dam, a viewpoint that offers a beautiful view of the dam and lake from a small rest area. Access to the dam wall itself is prohibited.
- Another must-see spot is Brackvenn Moor Lakes, a lake within a wetland and nature reserve. These unique formations, often called palsas, were formed at the end of the last ice age and feature ring-shaped walls around bog scour or bog eyes.
- Visitors also love Weser Reservoir (Eupen Dam), a man-made monument and lake. This reservoir is Belgium's most important drinking water source and offers a navigable dam with great views.
- Raeren is known for its reservoirs, artificial lakes, and moor lakes. These include significant bodies of water like the Eupen Reservoir and the unique Brackvenn Moor Lakes, offering a variety of aquatic environments to explore.
- The lakes around Raeren are appreciated by the komoot community. More than 3100 upvotes and over 1200 photos highlight the appeal of these natural and man-made water features.
Last updated: June 22, 2026
Struffelt Heath and Moor Nature Reserve
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View of the Dreilägerbach Dam
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Struffelt Pond
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Brackvenn Moor Lakes
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The palsen or pingos in the High Fens were formed around 10,000 to 11,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. When the ground froze deep down during the cold winters of the Ice Age, the wet ground expanded and frost mounds developed. Over the years these mounds grew and the soil material that was on top slid down the sides of the mounds and over time formed a ring-shaped wall around the mound of frost. With the end of the ice age, the ice melted, the frost mound sagged and the wall was preserved. The water in the middle is called bog scour or bog eye.
Source: euregio-im-bild.de/fotos/palsen-im-brackvenn-bei-m-tzenich.html
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Brackvenn Moor Lake
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Tips from the Community
From here, you have a beautiful view of the dam. There are two benches where you can relax.
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Almost the only way to see the reservoir and its walls. Otherwise access is prohibited and overgrown all around.
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There are a few benches here where you can take a rest
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At this point there is a larger moor lake, which makes a nice photo motif, especially in fog. Above this, this moor lake is regularly visited by waterfowl such as wild ducks. If there are few people on the jetties and you approach the lake(s) quietly, there is a high probability that the animals will not be startled and scared away.
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The peat that can be found everywhere in the bog and fen areas is the result of a process of incomplete decomposition. Usually, dead plants are gradually decomposed by small animals (such as earthworms), bacteria and fungi. This process applies to well-drained soils. On impervious acidic soils that do not contain many bacteria and in humid climates, plants such as peat moss are only partially decomposed. Their superimposition forms the peat layer. This peat layer can be up to 7 m in certain places here in the Brackvenn. 1 mm layer of peat takes 1 year to form. With a peat layer of 7 m, for example, we are talking about a period of 7,000 years.
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There are several bog eyes along the wooden walkways, which are home to numerous species of dragonflies, among other things.
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The bog lakes are often Palsen, Pingos or Thufure. The water in the middle is called bog scour or bog eye.
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In autumn, the Brackvenn is the most colorful fen landscape in the Eupen area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular lakes and viewpoints around Raeren?
Visitors frequently enjoy the View of the Dreilägerbach Dam, which offers a beautiful vista from a small rest area. Another popular spot is the Weser Reservoir (Eupen Dam), known for its navigable dam and scenic views, serving as Belgium's most important drinking water source.
Are there family-friendly lakes or activities near Raeren?
Yes, several nearby lakes offer family-friendly activities. The Eupen Reservoir features a forest adventure trail (Foxy-Wald- und Wasserlehrpfad), a visitor center with a tavern, and a playground. Bütgenbach Lake has the 'Venntastic Beach' with a supervised swimming area, pedal boats, and a playground. The Sports and Leisure Center Worriken by Bütgenbach Lake also offers a holiday village, campsite, and climbing garden.
What kind of natural features can I expect to see around the lakes?
The region boasts diverse natural features. At Brackvenn Moor Lakes, you can explore unique wetland formations called palsas, which are ring-shaped walls around bog scour or bog eyes, formed at the end of the last ice age. The area also features extensive peat layers. The Perlenbach Dam offers quiet, beautiful views of the lake and surrounding forests, changing with every season.
What outdoor activities are available near the lakes around Raeren?
You can find a wide range of outdoor activities. The Eupen Reservoir offers a 14 km hiking and cycling trail. Robertville Lake is excellent for swimming, boat rentals (electric, sail, pedal, row), and diving. Bütgenbach Lake is a hub for fishing, sailing, swimming, canoeing, and windsurfing. For more structured routes, explore options like 'Gravel riding between dams' or 'Eupen Reservoir (Wesertalsperre) – Weser Reservoir (Eupen Dam) loop from Roetgen' for gravel biking, or 'Pleasure tour 21: "Another world" Petergensfeld' for hiking. You can find more details on these activities in the Gravel biking around Raeren and Hiking around Raeren guides.
Are there hiking trails around the lakes near Raeren?
Yes, numerous hiking trails are available. The Eupen Reservoir features a 14 km trail along its perimeter. Robertville Lake also has hiking trails around its shores. For specific routes, consider the 'Vesdre Dam (Weser Reservoir) – Bench with a view of the Weser Dam loop from Raeren' which is a moderate 13.8 km hike. More hiking options can be found in the Hiking around Raeren guide.
Can I go swimming in the lakes near Raeren?
Yes, swimming is possible in designated areas. Robertville Lake offers a designated sandy beach area with a cafeteria and snack bar. Bütgenbach Lake features the 'Venntastic Beach,' a 150-meter long sandy beach with a supervised swimming area.
What is the best time to visit the lakes around Raeren?
The lakes offer beauty throughout the year. The Perlenbach Dam is described as 'nice in every season' – green in spring, bright in summer, colorful in autumn, and white in winter. The Brackvenn Moor Lakes are particularly stunning as the landscape's colors change dramatically with each season.
Are there any hidden gems or unique spots among the lakes?
The Struffelt Pond is a small, often overlooked lake that is especially recommended at dusk for its tranquil atmosphere. The unique geological formations of the Brackvenn Moor Lakes, with their ancient palsas and peat layers, also offer a truly distinctive natural experience.
What are the options for cycling or mountain biking near the lakes?
The Eupen Reservoir has a 14 km trail suitable for cycling. For mountain biking enthusiasts, there are routes like 'Brackvenn – Wesertalsperre (Vesdre Dam) loop from Roetgen' or 'Raeren MTB trails'. You can find more detailed routes and information in the MTB Trails around Raeren and Gravel biking around Raeren guides.
Are there facilities like cafes or restaurants near the lakes?
Yes, the Eupen Reservoir has a visitor center with a tavern and a large terrace. At Robertville Lake, the designated swimming area includes a cafeteria and snack bar. Bütgenbach Lake also offers facilities at the 'Venntastic Beach' and the Sports and Leisure Center Worriken.
What makes the Eupen Reservoir a significant destination?
The Eupen Reservoir, also known as Wesertalsperre, is Belgium's most important drinking water source. Beyond its functional role, it's a popular recreational area offering a 14 km hiking and cycling trail, a forest adventure trail, and the highest climbing wall in the Euregio. Its visitor center provides excellent views and family amenities.
What unique activities can I do at Robertville Lake?
Robertville Lake, located in the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park, offers a variety of water-based activities. You can swim at its sandy beach, rent various non-motorized boats like electric, sail, pedal, and rowboats, or explore its underwater world through two designated diving spots. Hiking trails also encircle the lake.
What kind of water sports are available at Bütgenbach Lake?
Bütgenbach Lake is a major hub for water sports. Visitors can enjoy fishing, sailing, swimming, canoeing, and windsurfing. The 'Venntastic Beach' provides a supervised swimming area, pedal boats, and kayaking. The Sports and Leisure Center Worriken further enhances the offerings with a 7-meter trampoline and a 5-meter climbing iceberg in the bathing area.
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