Discover Elsterheide through its waters, trails and local history. The landscape includes forests, lakes, small beaches and well-developed routes for cycling, inline skating and walking. Other options include beach days, nature activities and places to stop for a meal. At Lake Geierswalde, watersports and a circuit around the lake take centre stage; at Lake Partwitz, you’ll find a relatively shallow bathing area and the Scado peninsula, which is designated as a nature reserve. In Geierswalde and Groß Partwitz, architecture and the legacy of the mining industry add another dimension.
Lakes, waterways and watersports
The navigable Barbarakanal connects Lake Partwitz with Lake Geierswalde. You can also travel by boat from Lake Senftenberg through Lake Geierswalde to Lake Partwitz. At Lake Geierswalde in Elsterheide OT Geierswalde, you’ll find watersports, a beach bar serving food and drinks, and motorboat rentals. On the south shore, you can rent pedal boats and SUP boards; availability depends on the respective providers.
Geierswalde has a waterskiing and wakeboarding school. Waterskiing and wakeboarding are possible on the lake in designated areas, towed behind motorboats. Kitesurfing also takes place on Lake Geierswalde. If you’re planning any of these activities, check local watersports conditions and the availability of rentals in advance.
Beaches and nature at Lake Partwitz
The bathing area on the southern beach of Lake Partwitz is relatively shallow and considered particularly suitable for families with young children. Bathing conditions may vary. The Scado peninsula on Lake Partwitz is entirely designated as a nature reserve.
Another beach option is in Klein Partwitz: the beach below the riding stable is unguarded and has no toilets. Take this into account when planning your visit and check local conditions before you go. For a stay with young children, the relatively shallow bathing area on the southern shore of Lake Partwitz is a specific option to consider; the beach in Klein Partwitz, by contrast, has the limitations noted above.
Circular trail and local orientation
The Lake Geierswalde circular trail runs on asphalt and is mostly flat. Elsterheide OT Geierswalde is recommended as both the start and finish. Parking for the circuit is on the south shore in Geierswalde, near the campsite and the landing stage. Public toilets along the route are located at the Rostiger Nagel landmark and at Geierswalde’s main beach. Parking and facilities may change; check the current situation before setting out.
A large visitor car park in Geierswalde provides access to the wider lake district by bicycle or inline skates. The three themed routes are equipped with seating, interpretive panels, play equipment and freestanding information boards. Information about Elsterheide’s hiking trails covers Sorbian customs, traditions and legends; QR codes are available at the trail stations. If you’d like to use the digital content, check that it can be accessed on site. A section of the Lausitzer Schlange long-distance hiking trail runs through Elsterheide OT Bluno.
Village centres and the legacy of the mining industry
The village centre of Geierswalde is characterised by closely spaced L-shaped, three-sided and four-sided farmsteads. Most are single-storey buildings constructed of brick and situated along the village greens. These farmsteads give the village centre a distinctive architectural character, different from its water-based and recreational attractions. There is also a public playground in the centre of Geierswalde.
The GroĂź Partwitz memorial recalls the former location of the village, which was displaced by lignite mining. This gives Elsterheide a direct connection to regional industrial history, alongside its lakes and trails. To plan a varied stay, you can explore this historical perspective as well as the landscape and waterside attractions, while keeping their different locations and themes distinct.
Discover more destinations: Geierswalde, Großdubrau, Bischofswerda, Demitz-Thumitz, Obergurig, Guttau, Schmölln-Putzkau, Sohland An Der Spree.
View the regional travel overview: Bautzen District.
