Top 20 Lakes around Venlo
Best lakes around Venlo are located in the Limburg province of the Netherlands, providing access to various water bodies. The region features a diverse natural landscape with opportunities for outdoor activities. These lakes offer options for recreation and relaxation for visitors and locals.
Best lakes around Venlo
- The most popular lakes is Maasplassen, a lake that extends over approximately 3,000 hectares, consisting of a network of lakes, ponds, and canals. This area offers a beautiful backdrop for various activities with its clear blue water and lush green banks.
- Another must-see spot is De Witt Lake, a lake offering opportunities for swimming, sailing, and canoeing in its larger northern part. The smaller lake in the south is protected due to numerous water birds breeding there in spring.
- Visitors also love Krickenbecker Lakes, a lake known for its natural beauty and many options for route planning for hikers. Small paths lead to fishing piers, which provide views of the lake.
- Venlo is known for natural lakes, gravel pit lakes, and interconnected lake systems. These water bodies offer a variety of landscapes and activities to explore.
- The lakes around Venlo are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 3600 upvotes and over 1400 photos shared by users.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Krickenbecker Lakes and Little De Wittsee
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Krickenbecker Lakes Information Center
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Maasplassen
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Krickenbecker Lakes
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Schroliksee Viewing Platform
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Popular around Venlo
The Meuse Cycle Route - Follow the Meuse from the hills to the harbor
The Pieterpad by bike – From Pieterburen to Sint-Pietersberg
LF Maasroute – From Maastricht to Rotterdam along the Meuse River
The Meuse Cycle Route - Follow the Meuse from the hills to the harbor
The Maas-Niederrhein Trail - Cross-border hiking in 19 stages
The Tour of the Netherlands – The ultimate cycling route in 21 stages
Outside the built-up area - 10 trail runs between stations (30-55 km)
Train your calves in the rolling hills - 10 trailruns in Limburg
Along the Meuse River – an adventure on EuroVelo 19
From Kasteel Vorden to the Sint-Pietersberg – Pieterpad long-distance hike part 2
Other adventures around Venlo
Tips from the Community
You automatically interrupt your tour to take a look over the lakes.
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The Maasplassen extend over a vast area of approximately 3,000 hectares, consisting of a network of lakes, ponds and canals created by gravel extraction. With clear blue water and surrounded by lush green banks, the Maasplassen offer a beautiful backdrop for all kinds of activities.
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Great starting point for long hikes.
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The Krickenbecker lakes are always popular.
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At different times of the day, the lakes always offer beautiful photo opportunities.
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These information boards are set up in many places. Helps visitors with their visits.
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Birds like to use the gate in front of the outflow of the lake as a perch.
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Beautifully landscaped and varied with good paths
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular lakes around Venlo for outdoor activities?
The Maasplassen is a vast network of lakes, ponds, and canals, perfect for a wide array of water sports like swimming, surfing, sailing, and stand-up paddleboarding. For hiking and cycling, the Krickenbecker Lakes offer natural beauty with many route planning options and charming views from fishing piers.
Are there family-friendly lakes near Venlo?
Yes, several lakes are great for families. The De Witt Lake offers opportunities for swimming, sailing, and canoeing in its northern part, with a 3.8-kilometer circular route that's easy to walk. The Krickenbecker Lakes and Little De Wittsee are also considered family-friendly, ideal for walking or cycling. Additionally, the Day beach De Kasteelse Bossen provides a tranquil escape with sandy beaches, suitable for families, though dogs are not permitted there.
What kind of water sports can I do at the lakes near Venlo?
The Maasplassen are particularly well-suited for water sports, including swimming, surfing, sailing, diving, rowing, stand-up paddleboarding (suppling), canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, and wakeboarding. At De Witt Lake, you can enjoy swimming, sailing, and canoeing in its larger northern section.
Are there good hiking and cycling routes around the lakes?
Absolutely. The Krickenbecker Lakes are highly recommended for hikers, offering many options for route planning with small paths leading to scenic fishing piers. De Witt Lake features an orange-marked circular route of 3.8 kilometers. For more extensive cycling, the Maasplassen area has very good bike paths. You can find more routes in our guides for Cycling around Venlo and Gravel biking around Venlo.
Where can I find information or facilities at the lakes?
The Krickenbecker Lakes Information Center serves as a great starting point for hikes, offering information boards, a cafe, and is wheelchair accessible. This center helps visitors with their visits and provides a place to rest.
Which lakes are suitable for wild swimming or offer secluded spots?
The Bron Roode Beek Lake, located near Brunssum, is considered one of the best and most secluded wild swimming lakes in Limburg. It features a small beach within a nature reserve, making it an ideal spot for a more natural swimming experience.
Are there any lakes where dogs are welcome?
The Bron Roode Beek Lake near Brunssum is an ideal location for dogs to cool off, run, and swim, with shallow areas safe for them. However, it's important to note that dogs are generally not permitted at the Day beach De Kasteelse Bossen.
What natural features can I expect to see around the lakes?
The lakes around Venlo offer diverse natural landscapes. At De Witt Lake, you can observe numerous water birds like coots, great crested grebes, and cormorants, especially in the protected southern part. The Maasplassen are known for their clear blue water and lush green banks, while the Krickenbecker Lakes are celebrated for their overall natural beauty and forest surroundings.
What is the best time to visit the lakes around Venlo?
The lakes are enjoyable throughout the year. Spring is excellent for birdwatching at De Witt Lake when numerous water birds breed. Summer is popular for swimming and water sports, especially at the Maasplassen and Blaue Lagune / Wankumer Heidesee. Autumn and winter offer peaceful walks and scenic views, with the Krickenbecker Lakes being wonderful to visit in any season.
Are there any unique attractions or historical sites near the lakes?
Near De Grote Hegge (Grote Heggerplas), divers can explore one of the oldest freshwater shipwrecks in Northern Europe, an ancient gravel barge known as the Prussian wreck. This unique dive site is easily accessible from the parking area.
Which lakes are easily accessible from Venlo for a quick visit?
Schroliksee and Poelvenn See are both easily accessible from Venlo, making them ideal spots for a refreshing swim, a pleasant walk, or a bicycle tour without traveling too far.
Are there any lakes with sandy beaches for relaxation?
Yes, the Day beach De Kasteelse Bossen offers a small, serene lake with sandy beaches. The Blaue Lagune / Wankumer Heidesee also features a long sandy beach and is a popular spot in Wachtendonk/Nettetal during summer. De Grote Hegge near Thorn also has a tranquil sandy day beach.
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