Location
Germany
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September
About Blausteinsee
The Blausteinsee is a large, very deep lake north of Eschweiler near Aachen, created by flooding the Zukunft opencast lignite mine after coal extraction ended in 1987. Filling began in 1994 and the lake reached its final size of about 100 hectares and up to 46 m depth around 2005. It is run as a recreation area by a company owned by the surrounding towns, with the official beach, bathing area and restaurant on the west shore, a diving area in the northwest, and a 10 km path ring that is popular with cyclists and skaters. The north, northeast and east shores are a nature reserve. Nude use is unofficial. A nacktbaden.de contributor described a small, growing nude scene on the east side near Lohn and Fronhoven, in clearings between the shoreline woods, with groups also found further north; the northern shore was later closed off as a bird-breeding zone and patrolled by security staff, and one visitor in 2006 was told by them to put on swimwear. A 2015 report from the same page describes swimming nude at quiet times and finding a few nude bathers in secluded wooded bays in the evening without trouble.
Getting there
Drive the L238 between Aldenhoven and Eschweiler to the signposted Blausteinsee car park near Fronhoven. From there it is about 400 m on foot to the lake; turn left along the shore path roughly to mid-lake, where small paths drop about 50 m through the trees to the water. The official beach and restaurant are on the west shore (Zum Blaustein-See, Eschweiler). The ring path makes the lake easy to reach by bicycle. Fenced breeding areas on the north shore must not be entered.
What visitors say
Nude visitors' reports are few and span 2003 to 2015. They describe a small nude scene in wooded bays on the east side, quiet early mornings and evenings when nude swimming went unremarked, and occasional pressure from the operator's security staff, especially near the protected north shore. General visitors praise the clear water and the ring path, and the main west beach is busy on hot days.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Swimming is only officially provided at the west-shore bathing area; the east and north shores are nature reserve, and the north shore has been fenced as a breeding area since the mid-2000s. Security staff of the operating company asked a nude sunbather to dress in 2006, while a 2015 report describes nude swimming being tolerated at quiet times. There is no official nude area.
Naturism at Blausteinsee 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
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Approx. 50.8490, 6.2782
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
Is there an official nude beach at the Blausteinsee?
No. The only official bathing area is the west-shore beach. Nude use happens informally in secluded bays on the east side.
Where do nude bathers go?
Reports point to clearings along the wooded east shore, roughly mid-lake, reached from the Fronhoven car park. The fenced north shore is a closed breeding area.
Will I be asked to dress?
Possibly. Security staff challenged a nude sunbather in 2006, while a 2015 visitor had no problems at quiet times.
How deep is the lake?
Up to about 46 m, and the shores of former opencast pits can drop off quickly.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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