Top 20 Lakes around Bawinkel
Lakes near Bawinkel, Germany, offer diverse recreational opportunities, primarily centered around the prominent Speichersee Geeste. This large reservoir, approximately 2 kilometers long and over 1 kilometer wide, serves as a significant recreational area. It features extensive paths for walking and cycling, an 850-meter sandy beach, and a 50-hectare wetland biotope. The area provides a range of water sports and leisure activities for visitors.
Best lakes around Bawinkel
- The most popular lakes is Geeste Reservoir (West Side), a lake that hosts annual regattas. It is a hub for sailing, with a well-attended sailing yacht club.
- Another must-see spot is Haselünne Lake, a family-friendly lake with a sandy beach. This lake is situated near a camping and weekend park, offering a gently sloping shore suitable for children.
- Visitors also love Geeste Reservoir North Beach, a lake with facilities and a bathing beach. This artificial lake provides opportunities for swimming, windsurfing, sailing, and diving.
- Bawinkel is known for artificial reservoirs and smaller natural lakes. The region offers a variety of lakes to see and explore, catering to water sports enthusiasts and those seeking tranquil natural settings.
- The lakes around Bawinkel are appreciated by the komoot community, with over 1300 upvotes and more than 230 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 22, 2026
Geeste Reservoir North Beach
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Geeste Reservoir
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Geeste Reservoir East Shore
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You feel like you're on vacation
And then stop off at the top of the dyke
Unfortunately, on a Sunday when the weather is nice, it's always very crowded there
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Geeste Reservoir (West Side)
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Restaurant Deichkrone at the Geeste Reservoir
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Tourism At the reservoir there is an 850 m long sandy beach with a lawn for sunbathing, restaurants, a sun terrace, a large children's playground, a halfpipe for inline skaters and a beach volleyball court. There are also numerous outdoor activities, such as windsurfing, sailing, diving, stand-up paddling and a mountain bike trail. Around 15 km of paved cycling and hiking trails open up the lake, 5.8 km of which are on the crest of the dam. The Emspark Auenwald holiday park has been located directly on the lake since 2006. There is also a youth campsite, a mobile home site and a youth house at the reservoir. The house is run by the Jugendhaus am Speicherbecken Geeste e.V. association. The Geester Seemeile takes place on the second weekend in July, an open-air shanty on the second Sunday in August and a kite festival in spring/summer.
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The lake The artificial lake was built in the 1980s as a cooling water basin for the Emsland nuclear power plant, twelve kilometers away, on the former Lingen state forest "Biener Sand" and "Geester Sand". It is about two kilometers long and 1.3 km wide at its widest point. It is located on the B 70 and 15 meters higher than the surrounding terrain. According to RWE, the water surface is 230 hectares. The lake has no natural inflows other than precipitation and groundwater. Its water is taken from the Ems via the Dortmund-Ems canal and returned when required. The ring dam is a dam made of earth fill. If the Ems water flow is not sufficient to supply the additional water volumes required for normal operation of the power plant block, this can be taken in whole or in part from the reservoir. The stored water is fed to the block's extraction area via the Dortmund-Ems Canal.
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The Geeste reservoir is an artificial lake that was built in the 1980s to serve as a cooling water basin for the Lingen nuclear power plant. However, the value of the Stillsee for improving the quality of life in the region was recognized and so the lake developed into a popular local recreation area. In addition to the 850-meter-long sandy beach with sunbathing lawn, there are also gastronomic offers and the lake can be wonderfully explored on the hiking and cycling path.
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The reservoir is always worth a visit.
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Beautiful, interesting stopover on the lake tour!
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Here is a tourist restaurant with a view of the Geestesee. You can charge e-bikes with your own charger here on request.
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Beautifully landscaped lake with gastronomy and sandy beach. A touch of the Caribbean. Detour makes sense.
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A beautiful recreation area with beach and palm trees. Something like that can also be made from a cooling water reservoir for a nuclear power plant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main lakes to visit around Bawinkel?
The primary attraction is the Speichersee Geeste, a large reservoir offering extensive recreational opportunities. Key spots include Geeste Reservoir (West Side), known for sailing and regattas, and Geeste Reservoir North Beach, which provides excellent facilities for swimming and water sports. Additionally, Haselünne Lake is a family-friendly option with a sandy beach.
Are there family-friendly lakes near Bawinkel?
Yes, both the Speichersee Geeste and Haselünne Lake are excellent choices for families. Speichersee Geeste features an 850-meter sandy beach, a large playground, and various sports facilities. Haselünne Lake offers a 100-meter sandy beach with a gently sloping shore, making it particularly suitable for children.
What water sports can I do at the lakes around Bawinkel?
The Speichersee Geeste is a hub for water sports. You can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, and diving, particularly at locations like Geeste Reservoir North Beach. The reservoir also hosts annual regattas, making it a lively spot for sailing enthusiasts.
Are there walking or cycling paths around the lakes?
Yes, the Speichersee Geeste features a six-kilometer-long path along its dike, which is perfect for walking, cycling, and inline skating. This path offers scenic views of the water and the surrounding landscape.
Where can I find cafes or restaurants near the lakes?
Near the Speichersee Geeste, you'll find cafes and restaurants, such as the Restaurant Deichkrone at the Geeste Reservoir, located close to the beach. Haselünne Lake also has the Hotel Seeblick with a beer garden offering views of the lake.
What kind of natural features can I observe around the lakes?
Beyond the recreational areas, the Speichersee Geeste includes an impressive 50-hectare wetland biotope on its opposite side. This area provides a habitat for numerous bird species, offering excellent opportunities for nature observation.
Are there any less crowded lakes or spots for tranquility?
While Speichersee Geeste can be busy, especially on nice Sundays, the wetland biotope area offers a quieter, more natural experience for those seeking tranquility and birdwatching. For a slightly different atmosphere, Haselünne Lake is embedded in a charming nature reserve, providing a peaceful setting.
What outdoor activities can I do near the lakes around Bawinkel?
Besides water sports, the region offers various outdoor activities. You can find excellent options for gravel biking and mountain biking. For example, there's the 'Geeste Reservoir – Dortmund-Ems Canal Cycle Path loop' for easy gravel biking. For hiking, consider routes like the 'Bramhar Herb Farm – Kräuterhof Rosen loop'. You can explore more routes on the Gravel biking around Bawinkel, MTB Trails around Bawinkel, and Hiking around Bawinkel guide pages.
Are there specific hiking trails around the lakes?
While the 6-kilometer path around Speichersee Geeste is ideal for walks, dedicated hiking trails can be found nearby. For instance, the 'Bramhar Herb Farm – Kräuterhof Rosen loop' is an easy 4.5 km hike. You can find more hiking options and detailed routes on the Hiking around Bawinkel guide page.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes near Bawinkel?
Visitors particularly appreciate the diverse recreational opportunities, from active water sports like sailing and windsurfing to relaxing on the sandy beaches. The extensive paths around Speichersee Geeste for cycling and walking are also highly valued, as are the family-friendly facilities and the scenic views that evoke a 'vacation feeling'.
Is the Speichersee Geeste an artificial lake?
Yes, the Speichersee Geeste is an artificial lake. It was originally built in the 1980s as a cooling water basin for the Emsland nuclear power plant, located twelve kilometers away. Today, it serves primarily as a popular recreational area.
Can I swim in the lakes around Bawinkel?
Yes, swimming is permitted and popular, especially at Speichersee Geeste. The lake features an 850-meter-long sandy beach, and the water quality is excellent, making it a desirable spot for bathing. Haselünne Lake also has a sandy beach suitable for swimming.
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