Camping with dogs at Lake Edersee

Lake Edersee in northern Hesse enchants visitors with its unique natural scenery and pet-friendly ambience. A dog-friendly campsite is the ideal starting point for long walks along the shore, through the dense forests and to the most beautiful viewpoints. If you want to go swimming with your dog, you can do so on the Scheid peninsula. Dog owners interested in culture are drawn to Waldeck Castle, which overlooks the region from a hill on the northern shore.

Top tips

• The expansive nature around Lake Edersee offers a range of great activities for people and animals: you can romp around to your heart's content on the green meadows, walk through the deep forests of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park or swim in the lake. There are numerous holiday resorts and campsites around Lake Edersee that are suitable for a stay with your dog. Guests are usually asked to keep their dog on a lead at the facilities and to bring their own sleeping accommodation and the usual dog food for their pet.
• For dog owners and their furry friends, a trip to the Edersee-Atlantis, which can be observed in autumn, is well worthwhile. The low water level in the dam causes sunken ruins and foundations to rise to the surface. When the dam was built around 100 years ago, three entire villages were flooded.

Activities and excursions

Active holidaymakers can discover the holiday region with their dog while hiking on the well-signposted network of paths. Worthwhile excursion destinations can also be found around the lake.

Actively discover Lake Edersee

More than 80 circular trails invite you to go hiking with your four-legged friend. For example, an 8-kilometre tour leads from Asel Bay via the Knorreichenstieg to Hünselburg. Here you can still discover the remains of the ramparts and moat of the castle from the Celtic period. Dog owners should always follow the peony carnation symbol on the 4-kilometre route in the south of the lake. The route begins at the entrance to the national park near Bringhausen, runs alongside an oak forest and leads to the rugged cliffs of Banfe Bay. Rare peony carnations grow here in spring. A tip for a family holiday is a trip on a trolley, the route of which leads from Affoldern to Hemfurth along the picturesque shores of Lake Affoldern. Where trains once travelled, today there are trolleys for up to four people. This allows guests to experience the marvellous natural surroundings in a very unusual way.

With the dog to fascinating excursion destinations

An excursion tip for the whole family is the Edersee treetop trail in Edertal. On the 750 metre-long squirrel trail, visitors hike high above the treetops and learn interesting facts about the forest habitat on information boards. As the TreeTopWalk is barrier-free, dogs are allowed on a lead. Waldeck Castle, visible from afar, is a landmark of the Edersee region. Guests with dogs can enter the inner courtyard through the lower round gate at the Powder Tower. Today, the imposing 12th century fortress is home to a hotel and several restaurants. Guests can enjoy a marvellous view of the lake from the viewing terrace. The Scheid peninsula is also a popular meeting place for dog owners. It has its own beach for four-legged friends.

Events

At the festivals around Lake Edersee, guests immerse themselves in the tradition and culture of North Hesse.

March - April

• Easter festival in the Snow White village of Bergfreiheit: At Easter, the Snow White village of Bergfreiheit, 30 minutes south of Lake Edersee, is a centre of attraction for families. On Saturday evening, when the big Easter bonfire is lit, there are sausages, drinks and other delicacies in the marquee.

July

• In July, the largest folk festival in North Hesse attracts visitors to Fritzlar, 20 km from Lake Edersee: the traditional horse market offers an entertaining four-day programme with a cattle drive, amusement park and giant fireworks.

October

• Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is celebrated in many places in the Edersee holiday region, such as Fritzlar and Waldeck. In Bad Wildungen's Hüddinger district, there is also a baking festival with a sensational cake buffet, entertaining concerts and the Wildungen cattle market.