Heringhausen, Diemelsee (Hessen/NRW)

Diemelsee: from the Dam

Distance13.0 km

Elevation gain247 m

DifficultyEasy

Estimated time3 h 0 min

Waymarked: H6 in a black rectangle — left three times

Overview

The Diemelsee behind a 42 m dam wall, and the path stays with the water — past Heringhausen's free beach, around the northern arms, and back across the dam.

It is mostly level lakeside walking on tarred forest tracks, with one climb before you finish. A short flight of steps, nothing that needs hands.

A good family day: swim at Heringhausen, and if it rains the Visionarium is in the village. Start at the dam or in Heringhausen.

Points of interest

Mauer der Diemeltalsperre — Just after the start: the dam wall, with the lake on one side and the compensating basin on the other.
Visionarium — In Heringhausen, after the first shore stretch: the nature exhibition in the tourist-information building, indoor pool next door. Closed in November.
Diemelsteig — Picnic tables about two thirds of the way, just before the climb — a stop, then the only hard stretch.
Fährhaus — A restaurant by the water, 42 m off the path on the last stretch back to the dam.

Trail alerts

Leave the H6 signs three times. Through Heringhausen, and again along Am See at Helminghausen, the black-rectangle markers put you on the verge — keep to the track beside the road.
About a fifth is on streets and service roads open to cars, with pavement: through Heringhausen early on, and along Am See near the finish. Keep to the pavement.

Trail character

Just over half is sealed — the forest tracks here are tarred — with gravel and a little grass.
Mostly level along the shore, then one climb before the dam. A tenth is steeper than one in ten.
34 m of steps. Not a walk for a pram the whole way.

Access & rules

Getting there: by car to Wanderparkplatz, or the Sperrmauer bus stop beside the start.
Parking: about 54 cars at the Wanderparkplatz the walk starts from; more in Heringhausen by the tourist information.
Tickets and fees: the Visionarium is 3.50 euros for adults, 2.50 for children; the beaches are free.
Rules: do not leave the trail in the nature reserve. Dogs on a lead along the shore, at most 2 m, and not on the bathing beaches. Dog beaches at Hohes Rad and Helminghausen.
Opening hours: Visionarium Monday to Friday 9:00–19:00, weekends 10:00–18:00, closed in November.
Facilities: toilets and a snack bar at the Heringhausen and Helminghausen beaches; tourist information and the indoor pool share the Visionarium building.

Tickets & opening hours

Hours and prices for the Visionarium, and which beaches are open. Closed in November — check before you travel.

diemelsee.de

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