A flooded former lignite mine near Aschersleben, in the Harz foreland, developed as a swimming and watersports lake since the mid-1990s, with clear water and a growing lakeside promenade in the town of Nachterstedt.
Concordiasee was created in 1996 by flooding the former Nachterstedt lignite mine about 8 km northwest of Aschersleben, on the northern edge of the Harz foreland, and has since developed into a swimming and watersports lake with a growing lakeside promenade in the town of Nachterstedt. The lake covers roughly 3.5 km² and reaches a maximum depth of 61 metres, giving it notably clear water for a former mining site. A sandy beach with changing rooms, a café, and small boat hire serves swimmers and casual boaters, and water temperatures reach a typical 18-23°C in summer. The lakeside promenade underwent significant rebuilding following a landslide on the shore in 2009, and the current shoreline infrastructure reflects stability improvements made since then. Because Nachterstedt sits close to the northern Harz foothills, the lake makes a convenient stop either on the way to or from a Harz hiking trip, offering a swim without detouring far from the main routes between Halberstadt, Thale, and the higher Harz. A regional train to Aschersleben followed by a short local bus reaches Nachterstedt.
| Getting there | Regional train to Aschersleben, then a local bus to Nachterstedt (about 15 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Strandbad Concordiasee, Uferpromenade, 06469 Seeland (Nachterstedt) |
Good to know
- Best for
- families, swimmers, day-trippers combining with the Harz, walkers
- Facilities
- Sandy beach, Changing rooms, Café, Boat hire, Lakeside promenade
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Strandbad Concordiasee, Uferpromenade, 06469 Seeland (Nachterstedt)
Highlights
- Clear water reaching 61 metres deep at its maximum
- Rebuilt, stabilised lakeside promenade in Nachterstedt
- Convenient stop on the way to or from the Harz
- Boat hire and café on the beach
Tips for visiting
- The lake's position on the Harz foreland makes it easy to combine with a Harz day trip
- The promenade in Nachterstedt has been rebuilt and expanded following a 2009 landslide, and is now a stable, well-maintained shoreline
When to visit
July and August for the warmest water; the promenade is also pleasant for a walk in spring and autumn.
Accessibility
The rebuilt promenade sections are paved and level; the sandy beach area has no dedicated wheelchair ramp.
Frequently asked questions
When was Concordiasee created?
It was formed in 1996 by flooding the former Nachterstedt lignite mine near Aschersleben.
Is the promenade safe after the 2009 landslide?
Yes, the shoreline and promenade were rebuilt with stability improvements following the 2009 landslide, and the current infrastructure is well maintained.
How do visitors reach Nachterstedt?
A regional train to Aschersleben followed by a roughly 15-minute local bus ride reaches the lake.
Can this lake be combined with a Harz trip?
Yes, its position on the Harz foreland makes it a convenient stop on routes toward Thale or Halberstadt.