From castle views and a cable car to a wildlife park and scenic walks: 5 of the best things to do at the Edersee, a hidden gem of a lake resort in Germany.
I know the phrase ‘hidden gem’ is horribly over used in the travel writing world, but I think I’ve actually found one in the shape of the Edersee in Hesse, Germany.
The Edersee is man-made, but that makes it no less beautiful. Stretching 27km across the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, this is the perfect destination for nature lovers, outdoors enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in history. Throw in ancient forests, hidden villages and an old castle and you have yourself a real life fairy tale in Germany.
The Edersee is one of my favourite weekend and daytrip destinations here in Germany, and I think you’ll love it too. Here’s my five favourite things to do when visiting this lovely lakeside resort
The Edersee and the Eder Dam
Starting with the star of the show, the Edersee.
In 1908, work began to dam the River Eder and create a reservoir. By 1914 the work was complete and the Edersee was created. The 48m high Eder Dam is an incredibly impressive sight and is now a much enjoyed attraction.
You can walk across the dam wall by day to enjoy views across the water and over to the surrounding wooded hills. Visit after dark and you’ll see the dam transformed, illuminated by a rainbow of colours.
The Eder Dam actually holds a Guinness Book of Records entry for the “longest permanently illuminated structure with color change”. That’s quite niche, isn’t it?
The Eder was one of the dams bombed as part of Operation Chastise in WW2, as portrayed in the 1955 movie, The Dam Busters. The Eder Dam was reconstructed within the year with work carried out by prisoners of war and forced laborers.
The Edersee itself is there for visitors to enjoy in their own way. There are numerous places to swim with safe entry points along the shore and facilities for visitors. Wind surfing, sailing and paddle boarding are all popular and equipment can be rented locally.
The Edersee Atlantis
The Eder Dam was built to ensure water supply to the Weser and the Mittelland Canal, particularly in dry summer months. When the water level drops due to water flow or dry weather, something magical happens. The Edersee Atlantis is revealed.
During the creation of the Edersee, three villages- Asel, Berich, and Bringhausen- had to be rebuilt on higher ground. Now, when the water level drops, you can walk on the lake bed and explore remains of the old settlements.
Old buildings, cemeteries and ruins are revealed for a short time each year. Most impressive of all, the Asel Bridge; a complete stone bridge that you can still walk across.
Experiencing the lake bed requires a combination of timing and luck, but you can dive into the history of the region at any time by visiting the Mythos Edersee in the local visitor centre. This immersive experience takes visitors back to life in the villages in the 1920’s and through the flooding of the valley, charting the stories of the people who lived it. An unforgettable experience (admission charges apply for Mythos Edersee.)
Find the visitor centre at Zur Sperrmauer 6634549
The Historic Waldeck Cable Car
Since 1961, the historic Waldeck cable car has transported visitors from the waterside promenade up to the hill-top Waldeck Castle. The 650m long ascent in the colourful vintage cars is not only great fun, it also gives great views across the Edersee and the Kellerwald National Park.
More than just a fun mode of transport, the Waldeck cable car is a bit of living German engineering history. The original Giovanola clamps, the vintage style cabins and the 1960’s technology are now very rare.
Seasonal opening hours, dog friendly, return tickets €8.
Find the Waldeck Cable Car at Schloßstraße 1, 34513 Waldeck
Waldeck Castle
Now a museum, hotel and landmark, the 11th century Waldeck Castle/ Schloss Waldeck is like something from a fairytale. The castle stands on a steep wooded hillside overlooking the Edersee, just a short stroll from the centre of Waldeck, a pretty town full of scenic streets and half timbered buildings.
The castle viewing terrace with the adjoining viewing terrace is free to visit and is a great place to enjoy the panoramic views. If you’d like to learn a little more about the history of the castle, there is a small museum hosting the exhibition ” Behind Lock & Key”.
Wild Animal Park Edersee
Animal parks- tierpark– are really popular across Germany. Wild Animal Park Edersee is one of my favourites. The park puts the focus on native species and is home to 21 of them, including wolves, red deer and otters.
The walk-through deer enclosure let’s you get up close to some of the parks cutest residents and is an absolute joy for visitors of all ages.
The park is also known for its birds of prey flying displays, which take place daily from March-October. This is your chance to observe falcons, kites and buzzards in flight against the impressive backdrop of the water, hills and Waldeck Castle. Magical!
Looking for more outdoorsy, off the beaten track inspiration for travel in Germany? Try this post next:
Discover the Benefits of Barefoot Walking at Bad Wünnenberg
Helen x
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