Camping at the Lusatian Lake District

The Lusatian Lakeland between Brandenburg and Saxony is located in a triangle between Görlitz in the south-east, the Cottbus region in the north-east and Luckau in the north-west. The area was created by the flooding of disused lignite mining areas. Germany's fourth largest lake district and Europe's largest artificial water landscape in 2018 has excellent campsites on the numerous bodies of water and is therefore ideal for lakeside camping and camping with boat hire.

Special features of camping in the Lusatian Lakeland

Visitors can look forward to 23 lakes that are ideal for swimming and numerous water sports. The region is therefore ideal for keen water rats, anglers and nature lovers alike. Camping in the Lusatian Lakeland is synonymous with endless swimming fun and romantic walks.

Very well-connected, consistently flat and tarmac circular routes make for great excursions on foot or by bike in the impressive landscape. The surrounding area is constantly being renaturalised and revitalised and the animals are reclaiming their ancestral territory. There are still unflooded, disused and active open-cast mines in the region. The crater-like pits promise exciting exploration tours and can be discovered by quad bike or off-road vehicle.

How to get there

The large district town of Hoyerswerda is centrally located in Lusatia, making it an ideal starting point for travelling to the campsites in the Lusatian Lakeland. Well-connected roads make it possible to travel quickly and easily through the entire region.

The journey from Dresden to Hoyerswerda along the A4 and B97 motorways is a good 69 km. The sparsely populated route leads northwards past Dresden Airport, Ottendorf-Okrilla and the beautiful Königsbrücker Heide nature reserve.

From Leipzig it is 164 kilometres on the A4, B6, B98 and B97 via Grimma, Riesa, Königsbrück and Bernsdorf to Hoyerswerda. Wooded passages and the Königsbrücker Heide nature reserve are also located along the route.

The 410 kilometre journey from Hanover takes in the cities of Braunschweig, Magdeburg, Potsdam and Luckau. The route passes through magnificent natural paradises such as the Nuthetal-Beelitz Sander nature reserve and the Niederlausitzer Landrücken Nature Park. A break for refreshment and refuelling is offered at the Euro Rastpark just before Magdeburg.

Destinations in the Lusatian Lakeland

The idyllic landscape of the Lusatian Lakeland is reflected in the picturesque villages, small towns and rural areas of the region. The local destinations score with relaxed places to stop for refreshments and picturesque town centres to linger and stroll through.

Senftenberg

The Brandenburg town of Senftenberg is tranquilly located on the northern shore of Lake Senftenberg. The university town offers many entertainment options, especially for children and young people. The Senftenberg adventure pool has 655 square metres of water surface, swimming courses, entertainment and a sauna. In summer, the Waldbad Hosena, which is located in the district of the same name, can also be used.

The town is also home to Snowtropolis, a 130-metre indoor ski facility that is open all year round. Senftenberg Zoo is home to 354 animals from 64 species. Animals such as domestic sheep, donkeys, llamas and domestic pigs are actively bred in the park, which also has dwarf goats in the petting enclosure. The many inns provide visitors with local and international delicacies.

Hoyerswerda

The large district town of Hoyerswerda, which was previously recommended as a destination, is always worth a dignified excursion. The town of 38,000 inhabitants is located in the Sorbian settlement area and is home to a zoo and the Zuse Computer Museum.

One of the main landmarks, however, is Hoyerswerda Castle, which is enthroned on a hill in the centre of the old town. It was built as a moated castle in the 13th century, but since then the building has been transformed into its current form through repeated destruction and reconstruction.

Activities and excursions

As a lake district, the region is naturally predestined for adrenaline-fuelled water sports. However, for those with a calmer disposition, there are also unrivalled nature reserves in the water-rich surroundings.

Water sports on the lakes

Word of the excellent wind conditions has long since spread among windsurfers and regularly attracts them to the lakes Geierswalder See, Senftenberger See and Bärwalder See, which are particularly suitable for windsurfing. There are also surf schools on the first two lakes to learn this action-packed sport. Lake Bärwald offers excellent opportunities for kitesurfing.

Motorised fun is available at Lake Partwitz with its designated jet ski sections. The local provider offers jet skis for hire and runs a course. In addition to jet skiing, wakeboarding is also possible on Lake Halbendorf. The cable car on site pulls you across the water at high speed.

Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve

Declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1996, the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape, a good 20 kilometres north of Bautzen, is home to unique natural areas. The total area of the reserve covers over 30,000 hectares and is considered the area with the highest density of ponds in Germany.

In addition to cultivated landscape, the area consists of forests, rivers, ponds, watercourses and other bodies of water. 350 smaller ponds are connected by ditches and pipe systems and are home to unique flora and fauna.

Gastronomy

Upper Lusatia is a well-stocked treasure trove of regional, traditional delicacies that are protected as trademarks. Specialities such as Neukirch rusk, Bautzen mustard, Pulsnitz gingerbread, Landkron beer or Wilthen brandy are probably familiar to many people. You could go on a long gastronomic journey through the Lusatian Lakeland for the sheer number of culinary delights.

Hearty home cooking has always been a part of Lusatia and has always given people enough energy for their physically demanding work, even during hard times. Genuine natural products such as honey, asparagus, catfish, Sorbian liver sausages, hat meat, honey wine and linseed oil are all part of the regional delicacies on offer.

Best time to visit

The subcontinental inland climate of Lusatia is influenced by the continent. The average annual temperature of 8.35 degrees Celsius is slightly higher than the Central European average, but the humidity and rainfall are somewhat lower. Compared to the north-west, the amount of precipitation increases towards the south-east. The occurrence of fog increases near the ponds and lakes.

The best seasons for camping in the Lusatian Lakeland are the summer months from June to August, provided you are travelling specifically for the numerous bathing opportunities. Spring and autumn are ideal for extended cycling or hiking tours and immerse the landscapes in either fresh flowers or a lush play of colours in the leaves. Winter is the perfect time to linger in a fairytale snowy setting.