Schluchsee Lake
Reservoir lake in the Black Forest, recreation destination
Reservoir in Germany's Black Forest used for sailing, swimming and cycling; visitors follow the lakeside path or head into surrounding fir forests.
Schluchsee at a Glance#
Address: Schluchsee, 79859 Schluchsee, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Website: https://www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/
Admission: Free (park access); winter sports and rental fees vary
About Schluchsee#
Schluchsee is a high-elevation lake in the Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, notable as the region’s largest lake and as a managed reservoir.
Originally a natural lake basin, it was developed as a reservoir with damming works to support hydroelectric generation; the lake and its shoreline have since been used for tourism and local recreation.
Schluchsee lies in the High Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg and is accessible from regional towns and tourist centres in the southern Black Forest.
- Largest Black Forest lake: Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest and functions as a reservoir used for hydroelectric power as well as recreation.
How to Get to Schluchsee#
Schluchsee is reachable by rail from Freiburg im Breisgau via the Höllentalbahn to Seebrugg, then local bus or short transfer. Driving from Freiburg via B500 takes about 45-60 minutes.
Tips for Visiting Schluchsee#
- Drive or take the train to Schluchsee village for lakeside walking routes; the full circuit is a long but rewarding day hike.
- In winter check schedules for the Schluchsee ski lifts and cross-country track maintenance.
- Stop at the hydroelectric installations on the southern shore to see how the lake functions as a reservoir.
Best Time to Visit Schluchsee#
Summer and autumn for best outdoor activities; winter for winter sports if conditions allow.
Weather & Climate near Schluchsee#
Schluchsee's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1612 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -6° - 2° | -7° | 161 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 3° | -6° | 151 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -3° - 5° | -3° | 124 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -1° - 8° | 1° | 111 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 14° | 7° | 118 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 7° - 17° | 12° | 130 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 9° - 20° | 14° | 130 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 9° - 20° | 14° | 108 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 16° | 11° | 98 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 11° | 4° | 132 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -2° - 6° | -2° | 164 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -4° - 3° | -5° | 185 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
