Dam and lake
The Schwammenauel dam was built between 1934 and 1938 and raised by 16 metres from 1955 to 1959. According to Wikipedia it is the second-largest German reservoir by volume. The dam is a 77.4-metre-high earth and rockfill dam.
Rursee
Nature · From the hotel: 15 km · 25 min by car
Map
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🚗 25 min
Things to do
By boat across the lake
The Rursee-Schifffahrt runs the ships "Stella Maris" and "Aachen" on the main lake and "St. Nikolaus" and "Seensucht" on the Obersee. Landing stages include Heimbach-Schwammenauel, Rurberg and Einruhr.
Swimming and water sports
Swimming spots include Woffelsbach, the Eschauel beach, the Naturfreibad Eiserbach and the Naturerlebnisbad Einruhr on the Obersee. Paddling and rowing are allowed on the main lake and the Obersee; sailing and windsurfing need a permit. The Obersee also supplies drinking water and is subject to strict rules.
Hiking and cycling
Hiking trails with many viewpoints lead around the lake. In Rurberg is the national park gate on the theme of water, where boat permits are also sold.
More questions
Can you swim in the Rursee?
There are designated swimming spots, for example in Woffelsbach, at the Eschauel beach, the Naturfreibad Eiserbach and the Naturerlebnisbad Einruhr. The Obersee is subject to strict rules because of drinking water use.
Can I sail or paddle on the lake?
Paddling and rowing are allowed on the main lake and the Obersee. Sailing and windsurfing need the owner's permit.
When do the boats run?
The Rursee-Schifffahrt timetable changes with the season. Check the current schedule before your trip.
Tip: Check boat timetables in advance, they change with the season.
Getting there: About 15 kilometres from the hotel, around 25 minutes by car. In summer a bus and the Rurseebahn run from Heimbach to Schwammenauel.
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Photos
Photo credits
- Photo 1: Llez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 2: Leonhard Lenz, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 3: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 4: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 5: ArthurMcGill, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 6: Lodda Eich, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 7: EifelyetiRurberg, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 8: MSchnitzler2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 9: Corradox, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 10: ACBahn, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 11: Quikks, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 12: Carolus Ludovicus, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 13: Llez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 14: Leonhard Lenz, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo 15: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
