Top 20 Lakes around Gerdsee

The lakes in the Vosges region, often associated with Lake Gérardmer, are primarily glacial in origin, offering diverse natural landscapes. They are known for their clear waters and surrounding forests, providing opportunities for various outdoor activities. You'll find a variety of lake environments, from moorlands to mountain settings, with some like Lake Lispach featuring unique moorland characteristics, and others like Lake Schiessrothried offering stunning mountain backdrops.

Lake Gérardmer is a hub for various activities. You can enjoy water sports like canoeing, sailing, rowing, pedal boating, and swimming at its supervised beaches from June to September. Electric boats are permitted for exploring the lake. Fishing is also popular, especially for pike, carp, roach, and trout. A 6-kilometer marked footpath encircles the lake, perfect for walking, and the surrounding area offers activities such as paintball, paragliding, and treetop adventure parks.

Yes, for stunning vistas, the Merelle Observatory (Belvédère de la Mérelle) offers panoramic views of Lake Gérardmer and the town from almost 900 meters altitude. Additionally, you can get a beautiful View of Lake Schiessrothried from above, particularly from the ascent to the Hohneck.

Many lakes in the area are family-friendly. Lake Lispach and Lake Longemer are both highlighted as family-friendly destinations. Lake Gérardmer also offers supervised beaches and various water activities suitable for families.

Yes, swimming is possible in several lakes. Lake Gérardmer has landscaped beaches that are supervised by lifeguards from June to September. Lake Longemer is also renowned for its clear waters and provides several spots ideal for cooling off after a hike.

Yes, there are easy walking options. A pleasant 6-kilometer marked footpath encircles Lake Gérardmer, taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. For cycling, there's an easy route like the "Lake Geradmer – Small wooden bridge loop" which is about 12.7 km long. You can find more walking and running routes in the area by checking the Running Trails around Gerdsee guide.

Freshwater fishing is popular, particularly in Lake Gérardmer, which is known as the 'kingdom of pike.' The lake also hosts various other species like carp, roach, and trout. Specific fishing periods apply depending on the fish type, with nocturnal carp fishing permitted from May 1st to November 30th.

Beyond walking, the region offers a wide range of outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including a 7 km loop around Lake Gérardmer via Merelle Tower. There are also extensive cycling routes, such as the "Lakes Route" (about 31 km), and challenging road cycling routes like the "Col des Feignes sous Vologne loop" (over 52 km).

Visitors particularly enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility. For instance, Lake Lispach is praised for its serene moorland and quiet atmosphere, while Lake Longemer is loved for its clear waters and natural setting. The stunning mountain backdrops, especially visible from Lake Schiessrothried, are also a major draw.

Yes, in addition to Lake Gérardmer, the region is home to other beautiful glacial lakes. Lake Longemer and Lake Retournemer, along with Lake Gérardmer, form the 'Valley of Lakes' and are fed by the Vologne River. Lake Lispach and Lake Schiessrothried are also popular, offering distinct natural features like moorlands and mountain settings.

The region is popular year-round. In summer, it offers a green and quiet environment perfect for water sports, hiking, and enjoying the supervised beaches. The traditional Lake Gérardmer crossing, a swimming event, takes place in August. In winter, the area transforms with ski slopes and mountain activities. The 900m moorland near Lake Lispach is noted to be quiet and beautiful no matter the season.