Kulkwitzer See, Recreational lake in western Leipzig, Germany

Kulkwitzer See is a lake in the Central German Lake District, formed from two former lignite opencast pits southwest of Leipzig. It lies east of Markranstädt and west of Leipzig's Grünau and Lausen districts. The lake has several bathing beaches, including a disabled-accessible one on the western shore, and a circular hiking trail.

This site was mined for lignite starting in 1864, but after the pits closed in 1963, water gradually filled the excavated areas. The transformation from industrial land into a recreational space took place over several decades.

Locals call the lake "Kulki", and it takes its name from the village of Kulkwitz, part of Markranstädt since 1999. The restaurant Rotes Haus occupies the former control centre of the opencast mine. Lake festivals, marathon and triathlon events have been held here since the 1970s, and anglers fish for perch, pike, catfish and carp.

The lake is reached by tram to the Lausen terminus or S-Bahn to Miltitzer Allee, with bus routes and paid car parks off the B87 on both the Leipzig and Markranstädt sides. A cycle path circles the water, completed in 2018, and the Elster-Saale cycle path runs along the former railway line on the southeast shore. The western shore has a beach accessible to disabled visitors.

Divers can explore submerged objects beneath the surface, including a sunken chapel and aircraft wreckage left from military training. This hidden underwater landscape draws people interested in exploring beyond the typical swimming and walking experience.