Staffelsee, Upper Bavaria
The "Blue Land" owes its name to the artists' group "Der Blaue Reiter". The Upper Bavarian landscape was immortalised in many of the famous expressionist works. Even today, alongside photographers, you can still sometimes see painters at their easels, capturing the view across the idyllic Staffelsee lake to the mountains in all its shades of blue on canvas. Outdoor sports enthusiasts enjoy the panorama from their SUP and paddle around the seven partly uninhabited islands. You can cycle a 22-kilometre tour around the popular bathing lake, which gets pleasantly warm early in the year thanks to its hollow location and moorland water. In the Murnauer Moos, the largest contiguous moorland area in Central Europe, there are numerous other beautiful cycle routes.
Camping:
The quietly situated Aichalehof on the west bank near Uffing and the Nature campsite on the Burg peninsula with beer garden and restaurant are marvellous oases of well-being and are ideal starting points for excursions on water and on land. The paradisiacal Camping Island Buchau can only be reached by passenger ferry. It is a tent-only island.
Info:
- General: www.tourismus.murnau.de
- SUP: www.sup-staffelsee.de
- Wheel: www.dasblaueland.de/radfahren
Salzkammergut, Salzburgerland
Depending on the weather and thermals, it is almost always blowing on one of the many lakes in the Salzkammergut. Surfers who are not travelling by motorhome have only themselves to blame. But if you don't want to slavishly chase the wind from lake to lake, you can hop on a SUP or go on extended bike tours along or between the lakes. It's up to you to decide whether the Wolfgangsee, Mondsee, Attersee and Traunsee or one of the smaller lakes such as Grundlsee or Fuschelsee is the most beautiful.
Camping:
Just like the lakes, the Campsites for the favour of holidaymakers. The choice is huge. There are eight campsites and one pitch on the shores of Lake Attersee alone. It is best to bring enough time with you to explore the scenic diversity of the Salzkammergut with all its lakes. Everyone is sure to find their favourite spots.
Info:
- General: www.salzkammergut.at
- Surfing: www.lakesurfers.at
- Wheel: www.salzkammergut.at/aktivitaeten/sommer/biken-und-radfahren
Lake Plön, Holstein Switzerland
With around 200 lakes, Holstein Switzerland is a top holiday destination for paddlers and cyclists. If you set up camp on the shores of the Großer Plöner See, you are at the perfect starting point for excursions into the gentle hilly landscape. However, with the huge range of leisure activities on offer on Germany's tenth largest lake, it is questionable whether you should stray far from its shores at all. Perhaps for an extended tour on a SUP across the Schwentine, which flows into the Bay of Kiel after 50 delightful kilometres. Windsurfing is of course also possible, otherwise there are numerous top spots in the surrounding area such as Selenter See, the Baltic Sea spots around Schönberg or Pelzerhaken, for example
Camping:
The Naturcamping Spitzenort is surrounded by water on three sides. It is ideally located near the town of Plön with its striking castle at the inlet of the Schwentine. On the west bank near Ascheberg is the Camping site Lange Wisch. The Bosau campsite is located on the eastern shore near the climatic health resort of the same name.
Info:
- General: www.holsteinischeschweiz.de
- Surfing: www.surfen-sh.de
- SUP: www.holsteinischeschweiz.de/ploen-sup
- Wheel: www.holsteinischeschweiz.de/ploen-radfahren
Lake Silvaplana, Engadin
The Inn Cycle Path, one of the longest cycle routes in Europe, starts at the Maloja Pass. But it doesn't have to be 520 kilometres downstream. Between Maloja, Sankt Moritz and Pontresina, many beautiful kilometres of tours await cyclists and e-bikers. Mountain bikers can also let off steam on spectacular trails at the foot of the Bernina. With its constant thermal "Maloja wind", Lake Silvaplana is a mecca for windsurfers and kiters. The Engadin lakes are ideal for stand-up paddling in the mostly windless morning hours. The most impressive nature experience is on the dark waters of Lake Sils.
Camping:
When the water ripples at midday and heralds the wind, things get hectic for a moment on the Camping Silvaplana. It quickly becomes quiet again, and the surfers and kiters are out on the water. Smile courts, football pitches and tennis courts, a beach volleyball court and a pump track also offer plenty of holiday fun on land.
Info:
Great Sea, East Frisia
Have you always wanted to swim across a large lake and see if you can make it to the opposite shore? No problem - because East Frisia's largest lake is only one metre deep. So it's a perfect standing area for swimmers, surfers and paddlers. There is a surfing, sailing and wing school on the north-east shore. You can explore the Großes Meer, Loppersumer Meer and Kleines Meer canals on a SUP board on a round trip. A long canal system also connects the towns of Aurich, Emden and Leer. Those who prefer to stay on dry land can cycle along endless waterways through picturesque landscapes and idyllic villages. Popular cycle tours in Südbrookmerland include the 3-Meere-Weg or the Kultur-Route 900, a 35-kilometre route that passes through the village of Surhuusen. At 5.19 degrees, the church tower there is much more inclined than the Tower of Pisa and is a popular tourist attraction.
Camping:
Located directly on the shore near the guest harbour, the Nature campsite Großes Meer parcelled and unparcelled pitches, tent meadow and sauna. A highlight is an overnight stay in a sleeping beach chair with a view of the stars (bookable via the campsite). The motorhome harbour in front of the campsite has 36 pitches with electricity, supply and disposal and can be accessed without a reservation. Ideal for anyone travelling through or not staying too long.
Info:
- General: www.grossesmeer.de
- Surfing/SUP: www.grosses-meer.surf
- Wheel: www.grossesmeer.de/aktivitaeten/fahrradfahren
Ruhr, Ruhr area
It's quicker by bike, more adventurous by SUP. On and along the Ruhr, you can experience a delightful mix of nature and mining culture. A fixed location is ideal for trips up or down the river. For multi-day tours between Hagen and Duisburg, you should bring a tent or book a guesthouse.
Camping:
Lake Baldeney is a beautiful place to linger. The largest of the six Ruhr reservoirs is home to the Baldeneysee Camping Park. Beautiful cycling trips lead to Villa Hügel, the Folkwang Museum or the Grugapark Botanical Gardens.
Info:
- General: www.ruhr-tourismus.de
- SUP: www.sup-schule-ruhr.de
- Wheel: www.radrevier.ruhr
Leipzig New Lake District
Since the closure of the open-cast mines in the 1990s, the area around Leipzig has been transformed into an attractive water sports region. There are many kilometres of cycle paths around the lakes and along Leipzig's waterways to explore the city and surrounding area.
Camping:
The most beautiful campsite is on the Lake Kulkwitz. In addition to motorhome pitches, colourful Swedish houses and Finnish cabins can also be booked. The Campsite Markkleeberger See offers a high recreational value with its climbing and canoe park. ,
Info:
Further articles about Leipzig and the Neuseenland can be found in our sister magazine surf: Spot Guide Leipzig New Lakeland and Scene Leipzig: Coallakers - from brown coal to backloop
