Hohenwarte Lake, Reservoir in Ziegenrück, Germany.
Hohenwarte Lake is a reservoir in Ziegenrück, Germany, that winds through forested slopes and many curves, forming a shape similar to a fjord in the Thuringian countryside. The narrow stretches of water between steep banks change direction multiple times over a length exceeding 27 kilometers (17 miles).
The reservoir was created in the 1930s through the construction of a dam for power generation and river control. The works changed the Saale valley fundamentally and created a new landscape of water and forest.
The name Hohenwarte comes from a former lookout station that once guarded the crossing and now serves as a starting point for walkers along the shore. Many visitors stop at small village harbors where local fishermen sell their catch directly from the boats.
Several docks along the shore provide access for canoes and rowboats, with the spot near the Ludwigshütter weir being especially popular among paddlers. Water depth and current vary by section, so it is advisable to check locally before setting out.
A car ferry connects both shores at Linkenmühle and is the only one of its kind in all of Thuringia. Ferry operations increase as motorboats travel the lake and day trippers want to reach the opposite side.
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