Lieper Bucht

Lieper Bucht on Havelchaussee: Sand Beach in the Middle of Grunewald

Lieper Bucht is not a separate lake but a bay of the Lower Havel, which flows here as a federal waterway. This section of the Havel holds about 60 million cubic meters of water, is an average of 4.9 meters deep, and the channel was formed as an ice-age drainage path. The name derives from the Slavic word for linden. The bathing area is located on the eastern bank, in the middle of the Grunewald nature reserve and also in the drinking water protection zones of the Beelitzhof waterworks, surrounded by pine forest and scattered buildings. To the south, the wooded island of Lindwerder flanks the bay, to which a small ferry crosses, summoned by a bell. Those who prefer to walk can take the Havelhöhenweg circular path, almost three kilometers long, but due to the steep slopes and many stairs, it is not an easy stroll. The Havel is almost thirty kilometers long in its Berlin section, and Lieper Bucht is one of the few sections with a real sand beach. Accordingly, it gets crowded on hot days, especially since access is free and it is located directly on Havelchaussee.

Blue-green Algae in Late Summer and Other Things to Note on the Lower Havel

The spot itself is a free, unmanaged bathing area with a sand beach and no entrance fee. It is protected from boat traffic, and the DLRG maintains the water rescue station Arche Noah 3 here and is present at times. A parking lot and a mobile toilet are available, but the bathing area is not barrier-free, and dogs are not allowed. Honestly, this bay also comes with a warning that other bathing areas do not need: The risk of a blue-green algae bloom is officially classified as high here, with mass occurrences frequent, especially in mid and late summer. In August 2026, the State Office for Health and Social Affairs expressly warned of increased blue-green algae density; Lieper Bucht was then the only one of the 39 monitored Berlin bathing areas with such a warning. There was no swimming ban, and hygienic values remained excellent. However, with persistent west winds, the algae drift precisely to this shore, and then it applies: Children should avoid visible streaks, and it’s better to shower after swimming. Additionally, the germ values here are only of limited significance.