Lake Edersee

Lake Edersee in northern Hesse is one of Germany's largest reservoirs, winding for almost 18 miles (28.5 km) through the wooded hills of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park. Its massive stone dam at Hemfurth became world famous in May 1943, when the British "Dambusters" raid breached it. Today the lake draws visitors with boat trips, a walk across the dam, Waldeck Castle on its hilltop and, in dry summers, the ruins of drowned villages rising from the water.

The dam and the Dambusters

The Eder dam was built between 1908 and 1914 to feed water into the Weser River and the Mittelland Canal during dry spells; it also protects against floods and produces power. The curved masonry wall is 157 feet (48 m) high and about 1,310 feet (400 m) long. Behind it, the reservoir covers 4.6 square miles (11.8 km²), making it Germany's second-largest reservoir by surface area.

On the night of May 16–17, 1943, Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron hit the dam with bouncing bombs during Operation Chastise. Around 160 million cubic meters of water poured into the valley below; sources put the death toll between 47 and 68. Forced laborers rebuilt the wall the same year.

Things to do at the Edersee

• Walk across the dam for views of the lake on one side and the valley on the other.
• Visit the Edersee Visitor Center right by the dam, with the "Mythos Edersee" exhibition on the lake's history and a tourist information desk.
• Take a boat trip from Waldeck beach or the east end of the dam.
• Look for "Edersee Atlantis": In low water, the remains of villages flooded by the reservoir, along with the old Asel bridge, reappear. In summer 2026, the lake was at times only about one-fifth full.

Tickets and opening hours

The visitor center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to October and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to March, with last entry to the exhibition one hour before closing. Admission is €6 for adults, €4 for children aged 7 to 17 and €18 for families (as of October 2026). The building is fully accessible, and information is available in English.

Edersee passenger boats run into early November. A one-hour cruise costs €12 (children €6), 90 minutes €14 and two hours €16. Departure times are set only a few days ahead, so check the operator's website.

How to get to the Edersee

• By car: The dam lies about 20 miles (33 km) southwest of Kassel as the crow flies. Use the paid West Side parking lot by the dam. The road to the east side via Affoldern is currently closed; approach via Waldeck instead.
• By public transport: Take a regional train from Kassel to Bad Wildungen, then a local bus; the "Edertal Aquapark" stop (lines 503 and 515) is near the visitor center.
• From Frankfurt: Expect roughly two hours by car.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially for history buffs and hikers. The dam's wartime story makes it a meaningful stop, and the surrounding beech forests are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Add Waldeck Castle and the treetop walk for a full day.