Lake Brombach: Water Sports, Hiking and Relaxing by the Water

Water Sports at Lake Brombach: Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and Paddling

As soon as the wind sweeps across the water, colourful sails and fluttering kites appear on Kleiner and Großer Brombachsee. Around Langlau, both experienced water sports enthusiasts and beginners will find a variety of activities. At the VDWS surf school in Langlau, you can learn to windsurf or kitesurf and hire the equipment you need.

For a more relaxed experience, glide across the lake on a stand-up paddleboard. Boards, paddles and wetsuits are also available to hire on site. If it is your first time on a SUP, experienced instructors will teach you the basic techniques. Alternatively, explore Kleiner Brombachsee by kayak. The lake is particularly peaceful in the early morning, when the shores are still quiet and the clouds are reflected on the surface of the water.

Wakeboarding and Water Skiing on the Absberg Peninsula

For a faster-paced adventure, head to Wakepark Brombachsee on the Absberg peninsula. Its 600-metre cable system allows you to circle the lake on water skis or a wakeboard. A separate practice area helps beginners get started, while experienced riders can try new tricks on ramps and other obstacles.

Boards, wetsuits and life jackets are available to hire on site. If you prefer to watch, relax on the beach bar’s sun terrace and follow the riders as they jump across the water. Opening times and activities depend on the season and weather, so check the wakepark’s website before travelling.

Freshly Smoked Fish on the Absberg Peninsula

After your time on the water, the scent of freshly smoked fish welcomes you to Biergarten Zum Hafen. Its fish specialities come from the restaurant’s own ponds and are freshly prepared in the on-site smoker. From the tables on the peninsula, you can look across Kleiner Brombachsee and plan the next part of your trip at your leisure.

A Hiking Adventure Between Spalt and Lake Brombach

Away from the water, the Franconian Lake District reveals its wilder side. The VGN leisure route “Schluchten und Seen für Outdoor-Kids” covers approximately nine kilometres from Spalt to the lakeshore at Enderndorf. Despite its name, the route is not only suitable for families: sandstone cliffs, scenic paths and the beach also make it an attractive trip for groups of friends and nature-loving couples.

The walk begins in Spalt’s historic old town. Here, you will discover the Schlenzgerhaus, an unusual “half house” built directly against the town wall. The route then continues across fields and past woodland and hop gardens to the BarfußWonnenWeg barefoot trail. Bark, gravel, sand and natural stone slabs offer a welcome break from your hiking boots.

Through the Schnittlinger Loch Gorge to the Lakeshore

The landscape soon becomes rockier. In the Schnittlinger Loch gorge, sandstone walls rise to heights of up to 15 metres. A wooden bridge and 116 steps lead through this approximately 50-metre-long natural monument. Between shallow caves, tree roots and reddish rock, the trail sometimes feels like a narrow passage into another world.

The destination of the approximately nine-kilometre hike is the beach at Enderndorf. Here, you can take off your shoes, dip your feet into the water and enjoy the view across Großer Brombachsee. Depending on the season, you can continue your journey aboard a VGN leisure bus or MS Brombachsee.

Crossing Großer Brombachsee by Trimaran

MS Brombachsee is a three-deck trimaran with space for up to 750 passengers. A complete round trip across Großer Brombachsee takes approximately 90 minutes. Along the way, the view constantly changes between wooded shores, sandy beaches and the rolling hills of the Franconian Lake District.

After completing the hike from Spalt, you can take the approximately 40-minute crossing from Enderndorf to Pleinfeld/Wald. From the landing stage, an additional walk of around two kilometres leads through Pleinfeld forest to the railway station.

MS Brombachsee also offers three-hour brunch cruises on selected dates. You can find the latest dates in the MS Brombachsee events calendar.

At Pleinfeld beach, you will also find a seasonal SUP rental service and a pedal-powered surrey rental service. These offer two more ways to explore the lake after your boat trip.

Travel to Lake Brombach Comfortably by Train

Different railway stations and connections are available depending on which part of Lake Brombach you want to explore.

For water sports in Langlau, leave the train at Langlau railway station. From there, it takes approximately 15 minutes to walk to the lakeside recreation area and surf school.

During the season, the Kleiner-Brombachsee-Express is one way to reach the Absberg peninsula, Wakepark Brombachsee and Biergarten Zum Hafen. As the VGN leisure buses do not operate throughout the year, check the current VGN timetables before travelling.

For the hike from Spalt to Enderndorf, take the train to Georgensgmünd. From there, a seasonal bus service will take you to Spalt. At the end of the hike in Enderndorf, you can cross the lake to Pleinfeld/Wald aboard MS Brombachsee or continue on a suitable bus service.

If you want to travel directly to the cruise landing stage and Pleinfeld beach, take the train to Pleinfeld. An approximately two-kilometre walking route leads from the railway station through Pleinfeld forest to the lake.

The Secret Beneath the Water

Where the waters of Lake Brombach sparkle today, the wheels of several watermills once turned. Twelve mills lined the so-called Mühlstraße along the Brombach and Igelsbach streams. They ground grain, sawed timber and, in some cases, even generated electricity.

The buildings were demolished to make way for the Franconian Lake District. Some of their former locations now lie beneath the waters of the lakes. The Mühlenweg trail near Absberg keeps the memory of this lost landscape alive: information boards tell the stories of the mills and the people who once lived and worked here. Hydropower remains part of the region to this day, with a small hydroelectric power station at Lake Brombach now generating electricity.