Location
Germany
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September
About Aggertalsperre
The Aggertalsperre is a drinking-water and flood-control reservoir of about 120 hectares near Gummersbach and Bergneustadt in the Oberbergisches Land, east of Cologne, run by the Aggerverband. Its two arms are lined with woodland, rocky banks and small coves, and the water is clear and nutrient-poor, with excellent bathing-water ratings every year from 2019 to 2022; mean depth is about 10 metres and the level can vary by 2.5 metres. The official bathing places are the Naturfreibad Bruch and the beach of the Freizeitcamp at Lantenbach, a designated EU bathing water with about 450 m of shore, a sunbathing lawn and a bathing platform. Nude bathing is unofficial and happens away from these: naturist guides and a Cologne city guide point to the shore along the L337 road between Lantenbach and the dam wall, where the spot is marked on the road barrier. The banks there are wooded and partly overgrown, with small private corners rather than a beach, so expect to lie on grass, roots or rock and to step into deep water fairly quickly. Canoe and pedal-boat hire, walking trails and a new art installation on the dam wall make the lake a busy day-trip destination in summer.
Getting there
The reservoir lies just north of Gummersbach and Derschlag; the dam wall is at the corner of Sperrmauer and Hagener Straße, 51645 Gummersbach. Parking is available at the dam wall, at the Freizeitcamp Aggertalsperre (Lantenbach) and at Strandbad Bruch. For the naturist shore, follow the L337 between Lantenbach and the dam and look for the marking on the roadside barrier, then take short, steep paths down through the trees to the water. Buses run from Gummersbach to the reservoir. The banks are not accessible for wheelchairs.
What visitors say
Guides describe the reservoir as having crystal-clear water and secluded coves surrounded by trees, and the L337 shore as the place where nude bathers can swim without textiles. The naturist directory mentions plenty of swimming spots around the lake, some hidden in dense bushes. Little is reported about crowds on the nude shore; the official beaches get busy on hot weekends.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
There is no official FKK area at the Aggertalsperre; the Oberbergischer Kreis designates only the Lantenbach campsite beach (and Bruch) as official bathing places. Nude bathing on the L337 shore is a long-standing informal practice listed by naturist guides and a 2025 city guide. No reports of enforcement were found.
Naturism at Aggertalsperre sits under Germany's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Germany public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 51.0444, 7.6274
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the nude area at the Aggertalsperre?
On the bank along the L337 between Lantenbach and the dam wall; the spot is marked on the road barrier.
Is it an official nude beach?
No. It is an informal, tolerated spot; the official bathing places are at Lantenbach and Bruch.
Is the water clean?
Yes. The reservoir is rated 'excellent' bathing water and is very clear.
Are there facilities at the nude shore?
No. Toilets, food and boat hire are at the Lantenbach leisure camp and at Bruch.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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