Plizio Visual Lab

Edersee

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Lake

Weather…

Lake Edersee in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district is one of Germany's largest reservoirs by surface area, with a capacity of nearly 200 million cubic meters. The Eder Dam was constructed between 1908 and 1914 to regulate water levels in the Weser River and the Mittelland Canal, as well as to provide flood protection. The imposing dam wall stands 47 meters high and 400 meters long; it was severely damaged by a British air raid during World War II and rebuilt shortly thereafter. Stretching approximately 27 kilometers in length, the lake is a major center for water sports and recreation in Northern Hesse. During periods of low water, the remains of sunken villages and the 'Asel Bridge' become visible, a phenomenon known as 'Edersee-Atlantis.' In addition to water management, the dam is used to generate environmentally friendly electricity through a hydroelectric power station at its base. The surrounding steep slopes are mostly forested and belong to the adjacent Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, providing the lake with a near-natural scenic backdrop.

Location: Hesse, Germany
Top sights: Weißer Stein · Loreley Klippe · Bringhäuser Brücke
Nearby: Bad Wildungen (10 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-1	0	3	8	12	16	18	18	13	9	4	0
Rain mm	69	52	54	47	74	70	82	74	60	59	66	72

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

The Edersee is highly accessible via well-maintained national roads branching off from major German autobahns, with clear regional signage. Public buses also connect the primary lakefront villages, making it straightforward for all travelers.

📅

Best season

Summer is phenomenal for water sports, sailing, and swimming, while spring and autumn offer quiet, pretty conditions good for hiking the national park. Winter is much quieter and sometimes allows for cold-weather walks along the dam.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

The region is characterized by steep, densely forested hills sloping directly down to the deep reservoir's rocky and sometimes muddy shores. Hiking trails range from flat paved paths near the dam to rugged, root-filled climbs up the mountains.

🎒

What to bring

If you plan to explore the extensive national park trails, proper hiking boots and layered outdoor clothing are strongly advised. For those focusing on the water, a swimsuit, towel, and basic sun protection are sufficient during the summer.

🅿️

Parking

Numerous paid parking lots and automated garages are distributed around the major tourist hubs, marinas, and the iconic dam wall. Be aware that these spaces fill extremely fast on warm weekends, so utilizing the local park-and-ride is wise.

⚠️

Safety

Swimming is generally very safe in marked zones, but the lake is deep, and steep underwater drop-offs require caution, especially with children. Hikers should stay on marked routes to preserve the ancient beech forests and prevent erosion.

⏱️

Time needed

The sheer variety of activities means most visitors opt for a multi-day camping or hotel stay to fully experience the area. However, completing a targeted hike or simply marveling at the colossal dam can be easily done in a single afternoon.

Geography

Coordinates

51.18330, 9.01670

Facts

Lake Edersee has a water surface area of about 11.8 square kilometers when full.
The foundation stone for the dam wall was laid in the year 1908.
The destruction of the dam in 1943 caused a flood wave up to 8 meters high.
Three villages (Asel, Berich, and Bringhausen) were flooded to create the lake.
The maximum depth of Lake Edersee is approximately 42 meters when full.
The dam wall consists of about 300,000 cubic meters of quarry stone masonry.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Waldeck4 km · NEExplore →

Kellerwald-Edersee National Park7 km · SWExplore →

Kellerwald-Edersee7 km · SExplore →

📍Bad Wildungen10 km · SEExplore →

📍Korbach14 km · NWExplore →

📍Fritzlar18 km · EExplore →

📍Wolfhagen19 km · NEExplore →

📍Frankenberg21 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Edersee (10)

Weißer Stein

Viewpoint at the Edersee. Features a wide view over the lake and surrounding forests.

♿

Loreley Klippe

Viewpoint at the Edersee. Rock ledge with a view of the water.

Bringhäuser Brücke

Ruins of a bridge at the Edersee. Remains of the old village of Bringhausen.

Modell Staumauer

Ruins of a model dam at the Edersee. Evidence of construction history.

Bericher Hütte

Ruins of a hut at the Edersee. Former shelter, now dilapidated.

Kletterwald

Climbing park at the Edersee. Courses in the trees for young and old.

Kahle Hardt

Hill in Germany. Elevation near the Edersee.

Denkmal Alt Bringhausen

Monument at the Edersee. Commemorates the sunken village of Bringhausen.

Kahle Haardt bei Scheid am Edersee

Protected area in Germany. Protected area near the Edersee.

Kahle Haardt

Viewpoint at the Edersee. Gives a panoramic view of the landscape.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How high is the Edersee dam?

The Eder Dam is 48 meters high and was constructed between 1908 and 1914.

Can you swim in Lake Edersee?

Yes, there are many public bathing areas, for example in Rehbach or Waldeck-West.

What is 'Edersee-Atlantis'?

When water levels are very low in late summer, the ruins of sunken villages emerge from the depths.

How do I get to Waldeck Castle?

You can take the Waldeck cable car (gondola) from the lakeshore directly up to the castle.

Are boats allowed on the lake?

Yes, sailing and electric boats are allowed, but gasoline engines are prohibited to protect the drinking water.

Edersee: where is it located?

Edersee is located in Hesse, Germany.

Edersee: what is there to see?

Highlights include Weißer Stein, Loreley Klippe, Bringhäuser Brücke.

Edersee: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Edersee: why is it worth visiting?

Lake Edersee in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district is one of Germany's largest reservoirs by surface area, with a capacity of nearly 200 million cubic meters.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →