Top 20 Lakes around Kreis Paderborn
Best lakes around Kreis Paderborn offer diverse recreational opportunities within North Rhine-Westphalia. This region is characterized by its natural landscapes, including several lakes that serve as local recreation areas. These bodies of water contribute to the area's appeal for outdoor activities and provide natural beauty. Kreis Paderborn features a mix of leisure lakes, reservoirs, and former quarry lakes.
Best lakes around Kreis Paderborn
- The most popular lakes is Padersee, a lake that serves as a flood retention basin and recreation area. It is situated between the city center and Neuhaus Castle, offering an adventure playground and well-maintained paths for strolls.
- Another must-see spot is Aabach Reservoir, a lake providing drinking water for over 250,000 residents. Visitors can enjoy nature and sweeping views over the water, with a circular path suitable for walks and cycling.
- Visitors also love Lippesee, a large leisure lake covering over 100 hectares. It is known for a variety of water sports, a six-kilometer circular trail for cycling and walking, and facilities like a skate park and beach volleyball courts.
- Kreis Paderborn is known for its leisure lakes, drinking water reservoirs, and re-cultivated quarry lakes. The region offers a variety of lakes to see and explore, each with distinct features and activities.
- The lakes around Kreis Paderborn are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 100 highlights and over 2900 upvotes. More than 260 photos showcase the diverse landscapes and activities available.
Last updated: July 6, 2026
Lippesee
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Lippesee Circular Overflow Weir
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Padersee (West side)
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Lippesee
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The Lippesee is completely surrounded by mostly asphalted paths, on which cycling and running sports are possible all year round. In suitable snow conditions, the Lippe Lake circuit is also suitable as a cross-country ski run.
Water sports are possible on the Lippesee. There are two sailing clubs on the lake, the Paderborner Yacht Club e.V. and the Segler-Verein Paderborn e.V., as well as a commercial sailing school.
In addition to its use as a local recreation area, high-quality gravel is also extracted in the lake, which was deposited in layers up to 20 m thick in the last Ice Age at the transition from the Westphalian Bay to the Paderborn plateau, especially in the area of the Lippe Lake. These river deposits come mainly from the Alme and the Beke, which flow into the Lippe above the Lippesees.
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Pader River at the Padersee
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Aabach Reservoir
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View of the Lippesee from the south shore
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Padersee Cycle Path
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Aabach Reservoir
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Bentfelder Lake District
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Tips from the Community
Wide concrete path along the Pader River. It's a really good place to roll.
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... the Bentfeld Lake District is also always worth a visit; so many lakes have been created here through gravel and sand mining, and new ones are being created here and there, and some are being filled in again.
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The cycle path around the lake is simply great. Also good for cycling with the family, a bit crowded on the first of May.
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Bentfelder Baggerseen Rundweg Delbrück, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Explore this 7.1-kilometer circular trail near Delbrück, North Rhine-Westphalia. The route is generally classified as easy and can usually be completed in 1 hour 34 minutes. Although the trail is ideal for hiking and is often busy, you can enjoy a bit of peace here at the right time of day. The route is accessible all year round and worth a trip at any time of year. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.
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On Germany's shortest river Another quality trail enriches the hiking offer in Paderborn: The "PaderWanderung" introduces you to the more than 200 sources of the Pader and at the same time to Germany's shortest river. The tour begins at the Abdinghof Church in the western Pader source area, leads past the mills to the confluence of the Pader arms and then runs through the Pader meadows to the Padersee. The path then forks: If you are happy with an 8-kilometer route, you can hike to the Fischteiche recreation area and from there via the Schützenplatz back to the eastern Pader source area. Alternatively, you can walk through the castle and meadow park to the mouth of the Pader in Schloss Neuhaus, which is a distance of around 5.5 kilometers. There you should definitely take a look at the prince-bishop's residence palace with its wonderful baroque garden. In this respect, the combination is recommended:
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The hike around Padersee and Neuhaus Castle can be easily done together as a small tour 😊
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Very nice recreation area. There are numerous ways and opportunities to enjoy the view of the lake.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which lakes in Kreis Paderborn are best for water sports?
For a wide range of water sports, Lippesee is highly recommended. It offers sailing, surfing, water skiing, stand-up paddling, and pedal boating. The nearby Nesthauser See is particularly known for its water ski facility.
Are there family-friendly lakes in Kreis Paderborn?
Yes, several lakes are great for families. Padersee features an adventure playground and well-maintained paths for strolls, along with a beer garden. Lippesee also has children's playgrounds, beach volleyball courts, and a sandy beach area.
Can I swim in the lakes around Kreis Paderborn?
Swimming is permitted in some lakes. Lippesee has 'Salitos Beach' for swimming and relaxation, though there might be an entrance fee for the bathing beach. Nesthauser See is also a bathing lake. However, swimming is not allowed in the Aabach Reservoir as it serves as a drinking water source.
What kind of walking and cycling paths are available around the lakes?
Many lakes offer excellent paths. Lippesee features a six-kilometer circular trail perfect for cycling, walking, and jogging. The Aabach Reservoir has a circular path suitable for walks and cycling, known for its good asphalt surface. You can find more routes on the Hiking around Kreis Paderborn and Cycling around Kreis Paderborn guide pages.
Are there accessible lakes for visitors with mobility needs?
Yes, the Dedinger Heide Lake and the View of the Lippesee from the south shore are noted as wheelchair accessible, offering paths and viewpoints for everyone to enjoy the scenery.
What dining options are available near the lakes?
You'll find various options. Lippesee has attractive restaurants and a kiosk. Near Padersee, there's a beer garden and cafes like Padercafe, offering refreshments after a stroll.
Are dogs allowed at the lakes in Kreis Paderborn?
Many outdoor areas around the lakes are dog-friendly, including Lippesee. It's always advisable to keep dogs on a leash and respect local regulations, especially in designated swimming or protected areas.
What can I do at the Aabach Reservoir?
While water sports and swimming are not permitted at the Aabach Reservoir due to its function as a drinking water source, it's an excellent spot for enjoying nature, taking in sweeping views, and peaceful walks or cycling along its circular path.
Are there any mountain biking trails near the lakes?
Yes, the region offers mountain biking opportunities. For example, the 'Aabach Reservoir – Keddinghauser Lake loop' is a moderate MTB route. You can explore more options on the MTB Trails around Kreis Paderborn guide page.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes in Kreis Paderborn?
Visitors frequently praise the diverse recreational opportunities, from water sports and cycling paths at Lippesee to the serene natural beauty and scenic views at Aabach Reservoir. The family-friendly amenities and well-maintained paths for walks around lakes like Padersee are also highly appreciated.
Are there any winter activities around the lakes?
In suitable snow conditions, the circular trail around Lippesee can be used as a cross-country ski trail, offering a unique way to experience the area during winter.
How can I get to the lakes in Kreis Paderborn?
The lakes are generally well-integrated into the region. Lippesee is located about nine kilometers from Paderborn city center, and Padersee is situated between the city center and Neuhaus Castle, making them accessible by various means, including public transport and car.
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