min Temp.: 7,7 °C max Temp.: 9,7 °C Fr 23.10.2026 Temp.: 9,8 °C
min Temp.: 7,5 °C max Temp.: 12,0 °C Sa 24.10.2026 Temp.: 7,0 °C
Biggesee & Listersee
The Biggesee, the largest reservoir in Westphalia, is well known. twee reservoirs - Biggesee en Listersee - the latter is the much older dam inaugurated in 1912.
The Biggesee reservoir was only inaugurated in 1965 and placed in front of the Listere. As a result, the Listertalsperre now ends at Lake Bigge and has more the status of a fore-basin or side arm of Lake Bigge. Both lakes together form the largest reservoir in the Sauerland.
Lake Bigge stretches between the cities Attendorn to the dam and Olpe at the end of the lake. In Attendorn is the Atta Cave - the most beautiful and largest cavern in Germany.
Biggesee - dam
The construction of the Biggesee reservoir began in 1956 and was completed in 1965. The Listertsee reservoir, dating from 1912, became a reservoir of the newly built dam.
The entire system has a storage volume of 171.7 million m3, of which 150.1 for the Bigge and 21.6 million m3 for the Lister Reservoir. fourth largest dam in Germany. The reservoirs have a water surface of 8.76 km2 and a length of about 20 km. The largest depth of the Biggesee is about 52 m when it is completely dammed.
During the construction of Lake Bigge, 18 villages and settlements sank and partly rebuilt above the lake. In total 68.4 km of roads and paths were moved or newly built, as well as the Finnentrop - Olpe railway line. The new traffic routes required eight large valley bridges and 24 smaller bridges.
A 52 meter high rock dike with an asphalt concrete outer seal serves as a barrier construction for the Biggesee dam. The crown length is 640m; crown width 10m; the base width is 220m. The Liwest reservoir has a classic dam wall. The height is 42m; crown length 264m; crown width 7.5m; the base width is 31m.
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Prospects & Activities on the Biggesee
As part of the REGIONALE 2013 many tourist accents have been laid and numerous viewpoints have been created that offer from very special perspectives views of the hilly landscape of the Sauerland and the lakes surrounded by forests. Enjoy the fantastic view!
At the lake in the summer many Recreational opportunities, but in general it is quieter to the vast Biggesee than for example on the Möhnee or Sorpesee. Therefore fishermen and sailors feel very comfortable here. There are many sights in the vicinity.
Atta cave
The largest and most beautiful cavern in Germany has enchanted more than 40 million visitors from all over the world.Every year, 400,000 visitors immerse themselves in the colourful world of stalactites and stalagmites. The total length of the Atta cave is 6670 meters, of which about 1,800 meters open to the public. The cave was discovered in 1907 during demolition work in the neighboring quarry.
In 1986, speleologists also discovered another part of the Atta cave that was previously completely unknown: a labyrinth of 5,000 meters with the most bizarre stalactite formations. Unfortunately, access to the new section is not possible for the public, as this section has not been sufficiently investigated and the development would be too topographically dangerous.
The 1.4 km long cave tour takes about 40 minutes. Temperature in the Atta cave is constant 9 °C - summer and winter. Tip: Atta cheese ripens in the cave - a culinary specialty that is only available there.
Tip: video at the end of this page! Atta Cave Finnentroper Str. 39 57439 Attendorn Tel. +49 2722 93750 Email: info@atta-hoehle.de www.atta-hoehle.de
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Hanseatic city of Attendorn
Attendorn is located at the foot of the Biggesee dam. After a visit to the Atta cave you can take a walk through the old Hanseatic city. Thanks to well-known and internationally strong medium-sized companies, Attendorn is one of the cities with the highest economic and income levels in South-Westphalia.
The typical Sauerland slate construction characterizes the charm of the old town with the Sauerland cathedral in the centre. The charming city center with numerous specialty shops managed by the owner is a popular meeting place and invites for strolls and sniffing. Restaurants, cafés and pubs complete the city walk.
More information Attendorn HERE
Castle Schnellenberg
With its powerful walls and towering towers, Schnellenberg Castle towers majesticly above the city of Attendorn and the green hills of the Sauerland. It is one of the largest preserved castle complexes in Westphalia. Particularly worth seeing are the Renaissance Chapel, the Knight's Room, the court gazebo, as well as the chapel and the museum.
Burg & Burghotel Schnellenberg Schnellenberg 1 57439 Attendorn-SchnellenbergTel. +49 2722 6940
www.burg-schnellenberg.de
"Biggolino" - the little train on the Biggesee
Biggesee-Attendorn-Atta cave - the Biggolino commutes every hour from the Biggemeer dam to the Atta cave in the summer months.
On his circular route from Attendorn to Biggesee, Biggolino drives from the Atta cave through the city centre of Attendorn, along the Lido Waldenburg to the jetty on Biggedamm. And on his popular special travel around the Biggesee For example, Biggolino also explores the beautiful Repetal.
Travel times & prices see website Biggolino!
For more information: Atta Cave Finnentroper Str. 3957439 Attendorn Telefon +49 2722 / 9375–0
E-mail: info[at)atta-hoehle.de
Internet: www.atta-hoehle.de or Biggesee passenger transport
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Biggesee passenger transport
"MS Westphalia" and "MS Bigge" are the names of the two ships on the Biggemsee. From Easter to October (end of the NRW autumn holiday) the White Fleet sails on the reservoir. The long trip takes about 1.5 hours. The stops for the tour are: Viaduct See:Sicht; Bigge dam; Viaduct lake: sight; but; Viaduct See:Sight. On the days of action, especially for children, small seafarers ride at reduced prices. On the tours you will also be trained as "Mini Captains" . Ship telephone: +49 (0)171-7208955 (MS Westphalia)
From the dam to the Atta cave the train "Biggolino" shuttles every hour between Lake Bigge, the Atta cave and the city center of Attendorn during the summer months. www.biggolino.de, tel. +49 (0)2722-937511
Personenschifffahrt Biggesee At port 1 57462 Olpe Phone: +49 2761-96590 info@biggesee.de Homepage
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Sondern aan het Biggesee
Sondern - it is the only place directly on Lake Bigge. It is located between Olpe and Attendorn. It is a newly built village after the old Sondern has sunk into the lake by the construction of the Bigge dam. The looser development is typical for the sixties. train station at the lake in North Rhine-Westphalia - and thanks to the station directly on the lake (Finntrop-Olpe railway line), the "White Fleet" pier is only 30 meters away from the train station.
Sondern has a small promenade along the lake, which was redesigned in 2018, there are several restaurants, a swimming area, boat rental, a children's playground and mini golf. The promenade is followed by a 1 km paved lake path to the recreation center Sondernkopf. The highlight of the season is the annual Lake Night festival at the boulevard in August. The Biggese shipping with a ship's party is also part of the Lake Night Festival.
Antek's barn, one of the trendiest event locations in the Biggemeer region, is also located in the village. There are also public events on certain dates that are very popular.
Dates and more special information HERE
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Boat rental at Biggesee & Listersee
pedal boats, swimming boats and electric boats want to sail with you. Stand-up paddles see HERE.
Enjoy the clear sea air and the gentle rippling of the water away from the overcrowded beaches and explore bays that can't reach a steam boat. Enjoy a relaxing trip with one of our electric boats or treat yourself to the luxury of scuba diving in the cool water with a swimboat and having your legs and soul dangling on the railing ... including sunbathing.
Pedestrian & rowing boat rentalKonrad Schürmann Strandweg 2 57462 Olpe-Sondern Tel.: +49 171 - 2848833 Homepage Pedestrian & rowing boat rental Boathouse Olpe
Seeweg 7 57462 Olpe Phone: +49 2761 9779156 Homepage Rowing boat rental Listersee Camping Gut Kalberschnacke Kalberschnacke 4 and 8 57489 Drolshagen-Kalberschnacke Phone: +49 2763-6171 camping@kalberschnacke.de Homepage
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Seaside resorts & Lido on the Biggesee
The water in Lake Biggesee and Listere is "excellent" and there are numerous bathing beaches over the two lakes. At the dam and on the Sondernkopf are the large, very popular, all partially filled bathing beaches - anyone who wants it to be quieter can choose for the Listere, where also the bathing areas are free. Swimming area near the Schnütgenhof, Attendorn Free access, large lawn with changing rooms, toilet, no lifeguards, catering Seaside resort Waldenburger Bucht "Bigge Beach Club," Attendorn, paying, sandy beach, sunbathing area, kiosk, toilet, beach volleyball, small pool, guarded by lifeguards Lido at the Sonderner Kopf (No. 1 on Biggesee), Olpe-Sondern For a fee, with a large swim island consisting of 2,600 pontoon drivers with a total surface area of 1,300 m2, one of the largest of its kind in Europe - making it easy to get into the water for swimmers with reduced mobility. Swimland with integrated extendable bottom (0-5 meters water depth) and practice pool for beginners. Slides and the Blob Base (for a fee) make the visit to an experience trampoline, climbing wall, action tower, large lawn, toilet, kiosk, no lifeguards. Lido in Sondern - Olpe-Sondern for a fee sunbathing area, toilet, swimming supervision, dogs not allowed Natural outdoor pool at the Kessenhammer reservoir, Olpe for a fee, toilet, kiosk and restaurantShow more
Swimslagen aan het Listerse (Shei van het Biggesee)
Important note: animals are not allowed in the lake, as it is a drinking water reservoir! Swimming area Kalberschnacke, Drolshagen Free access, sunbathing area, toilet, kiosk, no lifeguards, rental of fishing boats, public diving place, mini golf course, restaurant Seaside resort Hunswinkel, Meinerzhagen-Hunswinkel Free access, swim scaffolding, no lifeguard, opposite camping Liweste on the L 707 Seaside resort Windebruch, Meinerzhagen-Windebruch Free access, sunbathing area, toilet, kiosk opposite the campsite, no lifeguards. Heiligenberg a.d. swimming area Seeuferstrasse, Meinerzhagen-Windbruch Free access, sunbathing area, toilet, only lifeguard Sat/So.Show more
Recreation area at the Sondernkopf
Swimming area, swim island and blob base The private swimming area of the campsite is the most popular recreational option on the Biggesee. It has direct access to the lake for swimming, surfing, paddling and diving. You can relax on the beautiful, huge lawn. On a 1,300 square meters large swimming island with floating bodies guests - even people with limited mobility - can effortlessly enter the water via ladders and slopes. Floating objects such as trampolines, climbing walls and action towers guarantee swimming fun in the lido. The island also has an integrated practice pool for diving with a extendable bottom (0-5 meters water depth). Other recreational facilities include paintball, tennis and a volleyball court. All year round camping offers tourist pitches for caravans, mobile homes and tents, as well as seasonal and permanent pitches and natural lodges. Biggesee Open-Air The mix of music, swimming and soft summer evenings sounds promising.For more information: www.biggesee-open-air.de
Four seasons - Camping-Biggesee
On the special head 3
57462 Olpe special
Tel.: +49 2761-944111
biggesee@freizeit-oasen.de
www.biggesee.leisure-oasen.de
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Klimbos Repetal
One of the largest rope tracks in the forest in Germany, with about 1.5 km via ferrata. Motivation and team training or just for fun.
Also: archery, pigeon shooting, survival training, rafting and kayak tours, Highland Games Outdoor & Adventure.
Climbing forest Repetal Repetalstr. 43 57439 Attendorn-Borghausen
Tel. +49 2721 10114
www.klimpfpark-repetal.de
Golf course at Lake Bigge
Repetal-Südsauerland e. V. Golfclub 18 holes plus 6 holes short course in a fantastic location Difficulty: sporty demanding Repetalstraße 22057439 Attendorn - Niederhelden
Tel. +49 2721-718032
info@golfclub-repetal.de www.golfclub-repetal.de
Bige-Lister Hiking Path
Walkers will also be able to enjoy the Bigge/Listers. The Bigge-Lister trail runs 46 km around both reservoirs, usually at a certain height, giving you a wonderful view of the lake landscape and the Ebbegebirge from numerous viewpoints. The hiking trail is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region.
In the hiking trail there are extra Spangenwege, so that the trail can also be walked in shorter stages and as a day trip.
More information about hikes on the Bigge/Liscan HERE
Bige-Lister Cycle Route
Cycling on Lake Bigge - a great leisure. Most cycling paths are paved.
The fairly flat Bigge-Lister bike path leads 46 km around both reservoirs - but you can also shorten and skip the last one at the bridges and the Listere. That saves kilometers. The bike path offers a beautiful view of the lake landscape from numerous viewpoints. On the way there are numerous restaurants.
Around both lakes there are numerous other beautiful cycling routes, but they also have a slope.
More information about bikes and cycling routes on the Biggesee/Liwestern HERE
Olpe
Olpe at the end of the lake is a district city and has a beautiful city center to walk with a barmile, as well as a popular Promenade on the upper lake of the Biggesee.
The reservoir, which is larger than average for reservoirs, is well filled thanks to the intermediate dam, even when the water is low.
Swimming pool Olpe
Water - wellness - feel good - all year round
The most popular swimming pool on Lake Bigge is both indoors and outdoors. It is located directly on the foothills of Lake Bigge with a large lawn by the water and in summer you can jump in the lake or in the outdoor pool.
Inside there is a sports pool of 25 meters, an adventure pool with all imaginable bubble appliances, a giant slide of 85 meters, a hyperthermal swimming pool with a water temperature of 36 degrees. Various pools for swimmers, non-swimmers and children, brine adventure pool, Kneipp walk-pool, bath bar, sauna room/sauna garden with seven saunas.
Recreational pool Olpe Seeweg 5 57462 Olpe Tel. +49 2761-93850 info@freizeitbad-olpe.de Homepage
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Aquamagis in Plettenberg - Adventure pool No. 1 in NRW
25km from Biggesee: A WATER ACTION WELLNESS world of superlatives and one of Germany's leading adventure pools: 6 adventure worlds, 13 water landscapes and a unique slide park offer adventure, relaxation and fun for the whole family.In AquaMagis new sliding dimensions arise: sliding on the back, on the bottom of the pants or on the swimming band was yesterday! Here are the most spectacular slides in Germany: two standing slides, aquelooping; Black hole; Gigantic band slide; Captains Canyon = 120m rafting with tires; Pink Jump free-flight slide and pure adrenaline on the . World first from 2018 - Storm Force 1 the only slide with a hurricane wind circuit of 100 km/h and a sliding speed of 60 km/h
There are also two different adventure pools, children's playgrounds, a wave pool, a brine bath, 4 textile saunas and a large, stylish, textile-free sauna world.
AquaMagis Böddinghauser Feld 1 58840 Plettenberg Tel.: +49 2391 60550 Email: info@aquamagis.de www.aquamagis.de
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Karl May-Festival Elspe
20km from Biggesee; since 1958, 12 million visitors have seen one of the Karl May performances in Lennestadt-Elspe on one of the largest outdoor stages in Germany.Winnetou fans from all over Europe came from 1976 to 1986, when the movie Winnetou Pierre Brice The main role played in Elspe and the Elspe festival with 400,000 visitors each year became the Karl May Mecca. The Western Railway, which has been steaming since 1975, is still spectacular and continues to drive on its own course over the stage and through the festival grounds. Since then, Elspe has been an institution between the most important European festival stages.
The open-air platform has 4,000 covered seats. The imposing roof structure has the same architectural style as that of the Munich Olympic Park. Around the open-air stage, a Western adventure park has been created, but without attractions, but with thematic demonstrations.
The performances of about 2 hours start at about 2.30 p.m. (admission from 10.00 p.m.) and evening events at 8.15 p.m. (admission from 5.15 p.m.). Prior to the performance, the festival grounds offer a comprehensive support and pre-programme of more than an hour with acrobatics, stunts, horse show and red music on the festival grounds.The festival character is given and a visit to Elspe is a full day experience. There are also several dining options, e.g. a typical "American BBQ" and a replica of "Sloppy Joebies Coffee-Bar." After the event a tour behind the scenes is offered.
Tip: If you want to take the entire support program and have lunch there, the extra price for the Elspe Experience Pass (EE Pass) can be interesting because & drinking at long events can cost money. Included are "all you can eat" in the BBQ and ELT lounge, VIP parking, measuring & greet, free program, personal greeting with welcome drink, exclusive seating area. Please refer to the home page for more information.
The game is usually played 5 days a week from the end of June to the beginning of September. In August there are also evening shows on Saturday.
Program, dates and tickets see homepage Elspe Festival
To the natural stage 1
57368 Lennestadt - Elspe
Telefon +49 (0)2721-944440
Fax +49 (0)2721-20478
tickets@elspe.de www.elspe.de
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Sauerland - Piramides / Galileo-Park
23km from Biggesee; there is an extraordinary amusement park in Lennestadt. High above the Lenne valley and visible from far away are the pyramids of the Sauerland, which have even become one of the secret monuments of the Sauerland.The GALILEO PARK, a knowledge and mystery park with interesting and unusual exhibitions, is home to four of the seven pyramids. Scientific, including frontier, science is taught in an entertaining but demanding way - factual, objective, open and free of evaluation. Learn and try games for young and old are central in the park.
The other pyramids serve as spaces for seminars/conferences and events. Here you will find scientific conferences are taking place and also those of mysticism.
Open from April to October di-zo. GALILEO PARK Sauerland Pyramiden 4-7 · 57368 Lennestadt-Meggen Tel. +49 2721 60077-10 Email: info@galileo-park.de www.galileo-park.de
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Outlook points in the South Sauerland
Rhein-Weser tower (684 m above sea level); Popular destination with a mountain restaurant on the Rein/Weser basin near the Panorama Park on the L553 between Kirchhundem and Bad Berleburg.
Schombergtower (670 m above sea level) on the "Wild Wiese" between Sundern and Finnentrop - view over the northern Ruhr region, Lippe-Land to the Teutoburg Forest. With a very good view you can see the Siebengebirge and the Hohe Acht on the Nürburgring in the Eifel.
High level with mountain restaurant (620 m above sea level) - attraction of the Olpe district above Lennestadt and one of the most popular lookout towers and excursion destinations in the Sauerland.
For more information click on the name...
Märkische Museums-railway - Sauerland narrow track
27km from Biggesee: The Märkian Museum railway shows typical narrow track features with original trains on the 1000 mm track. Until the 1960s, there were a large number of such narrow railway tracks in the Sauerland. When the Inselbahn was shut down just in 1982, some railway enthusiasts decided to create a living memorial for this narrow track small railways. In the station there is a museum café and an information shop with interesting literature about local railway history and other narrow railway tracks in Germany.Driving days: between May and October, the trains of the "Sauerländer Kleinbahn" steam back and forth and reflect a feeling of travel over the past decades.
Children: The lantern rides in November and the St Nicholas rides in December are particularly popular - where St Martin and St Nicholas are personal guests. Märkische Museum Railway
Elsetalstraße 46
58849 Herscheid - Hüinghausen
Telephone 02357-4637 or 02391-13035
info@sauerlaender-kleinbahn.de www.sauerlaender-kleinbahn.de
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Panorama Park Wildpark
35km from Lake Bigge; The Wildpark and Panorama Park is almost picturesquely embedded in the untouched forest landscape of the Rothaar Mountains near Kirchhundem / Olpe. The game and adventure park at 80,000 m2 offers fun and entertainment for young and old.
In the adaptation of the amusement park, intentional fast rides were avoided - earlier attractions are used that require physical effort and skill.
Panorama Park Wildpark Rinsecker Str. 57399 Kirchhundem-Oberhundem
Tel. +49 2723 716220
www.panopark.de
Winter experience - Ski resort Olpe-Fahlenscheid
Snow-Fun pure - ... only 10 km from the A45 and A4 and the Biggesee.
The Fahlenscheid ski area with 2 Anchor towing lifts and one Conveyor belt with tobogganHere you can carve with floodlights, train technique and jumps on the board.
The Snowy Ski Resort with its extensive 600m long downhill slopes has a blue and red descent variant. The height difference between mountain and valley station is over 80 m. Other highlights is a snowboard funpark
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Webcams: Biggesee & Listersee
all 8 Biggesee & Liwestern webcams and many other Sauerland-Webcams click HERE
Webcam: Biggesee
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Webcam: Yachtclub Lister - Biggesee
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Videos from Biggesee
Biggesee - active on the lake
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Recreation area Biggesee-Liscan
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Atta-cave an the Biggesee
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