Dammed around a hundred years ago to supply electricity, the Kirnbergsee near the Bräunling district of Unterbränd has developed into a leisure magnet in the southern Black Forest. Extensive natural shore areas, meadows and forests attract walkers, cyclists and anglers in both summer and winter. In the warmer months of the year, swimmers and water sports enthusiasts enjoy the excellent water quality, well-tended beaches and shallow shore areas.
Situated at an altitude of 785 metres, the 35-hectare lake is surrounded by an extensive, well-signposted network of paths of varying difficulty for cyclists and hikers.
A 2.5 kilometre circular trail leads around the oval Kirnbergsee lake and over the dam wall, past extensive reed beds - protected resting, spawning and breeding grounds for fish and birds. Wild geese, wild ducks, herons and, with a bit of luck, kingfishers can be observed there. Anglers can hook pike, carp, tench and zander. Under the protection of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive, to which the Kirnbergsee belongs, rare plants such as the cross gentian, the Siberian iris, the troll flower and the dyer's cleft grow near the shore.
Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves in the southern part of the lake. The warmest bathing lake in the Black Forest offers sunny, unspoilt beaches - a paradise for families seeking relaxation, especially as the DLRG monitors the beach areas at weekends when the weather is good for bathing (there is no watch in the event of rain and temperatures below 20° C). The watch manager always reserves the right to extend the watch times, as the safety of bathers is the top priority when the weather is fine and the beach is busy).
Canoeing and surfing are also popular. The beach café provides refreshments all year round; a kiosk is also open during the bathing season. The toilet facilities on the southern shore, sponsored by the Southern Black Forest Nature Park, are in operation during the summer months.
A daily fee of two euros is charged for the large car park on the south bank.
If you want to stay longer, there are village holidays in Unterbränd or at the Kirnbergsee campsite with direct access to the bathing beach.
