Groß Düben: Lakes, Cycling Routes and Sorbian History

Groß Düben invites you to plan a stay around two lakes with distinct characteristics: the Waldsee and the Halbendorfer See. The Waldsee is a bathing and fishing pond in the Lusatian Lake District and is considered Saxony’s northeasternmost bathing lake. It is about 380 metres long and 160 metres wide, with a depth of 13 to 15 metres. The Halbendorfer See covers around 120 hectares and reaches a depth of up to 27 metres. These measurements bring the difference in size into focus. The lakes also offer different activities: swimming and fishing at the Waldsee contrast with the wide range of water activities associated with the Halbendorfer See.

Lakes with their own histories

The Waldsee was formed from the former “Sophie” lignite mine. The Halbendorfer See is in the district of Halbendorf and was formed from an open-cast lignite mine dating from the 1960s, followed by land reclamation. Both lakes are therefore connected to the history of lignite mining, but their origins have different specific points of reference: at the Waldsee, the former mine has its own name, while at the Halbendorfer See, the 1960s open-cast mine and subsequent reclamation mark the transformation of the landscape. As you explore the lakes, you encounter not only the water as it is today but also a piece of regional landscape history.

Water activities, shores and cycling routes

The Halbendorfer See offers paddleboarding, rowing and canoeing, as well as sailing, surfing, diving, electric and pedal boating, water skiing, wakeboarding and AquaPark activities. Water use and facilities are seasonal; only plan to sail, surf or dive after checking the current conditions. Part of the Halbendorfer See recreation area lies within a nature conservation area. Certain sections of the lake and shore are reserved for nature conservation and are accessible only on foot or by bicycle. Check local route information before planning your trip.

The international Frog Cycling Trail runs through Halbendorf and past landscapes with diverse flora and fauna, leading to sights in the surrounding area. This makes it easy to plan a clear change of pace between time by the water and a cycling trip. Check current trail conditions and signage in advance. The Waldsee grounds include a volleyball court, a bowling alley, an outdoor table tennis table and a redesigned children’s playground. For families with children, the playground is a practical point of reference; check the condition of the facilities before travelling.

Halbendorf and its Sorbian traditions

Halbendorf is a district of Groß Düben and was first documented in 1597, at the time under its old Sorbian name, Breslug. Its current Sorbian name is Brezowka. This history of the name adds a cultural and historical perspective to the lakes. Halbendorf is also associated with the annual Neptune Festival and the Sorbian Easter Egg Festival. If you would like one of these festivals to shape your stay, check the event dates before travelling.

Staying overnight by the Waldsee

The Waldsee offers overnight accommodation in six low-roofed bungalows and a villa. Check current availability before travelling. To help plan the rest of your trip, you can first decide whether you would like your stay to focus mainly on the Waldsee for swimming and fishing, the larger Halbendorfer See and its water activities, or the cycling routes and history of Halbendorf.

A distinct cultural highlight within the wider Görlitz destination

In the wider destination of Görlitz, the Schönhof offers a different focus: after a city fire, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style from 1526 onwards. Today, it is the main building of the Silesian Museum in Görlitz and is considered one of the oldest Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. This is a distinct cultural highlight in Görlitz; Groß Düben offers different focal points for trip planning with its lakes, the Frog Cycling Trail and the history of Halbendorf.

Discover more destinations: Niesky, Herrnhut, Lawalde, Großhennersdorf, Neusalza-Spremberg, Neißeaue, Hainewalde, Trebendorf

Back to the main travel overview: Görlitz.