Heidesee, Lake in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The Heidesee is a gravel pit lake in the Neureut district of Karlsruhe, lying on the Hardtebenen between the Alb and Malscher Landgraben. A footpath encircles the entire lake, whose banks are a protected biotope. The northern shore has a steep, fenced embankment that must not be entered.

The lake formed from a former quarry site that was eventually converted into a recreational area after mining operations ended. This transformation shows how Karlsruhe repurposed industrial land into community spaces.

The lake lies in the Neureuter Feldflur landscape protection area, designated in February 2021, and its shore is a protected biotope. Swimming, grilling and camping are prohibited, so residents use the footpath that circles the water for walks. The balance between nature conservation and nearby recreation is debated in local politics.

The lake is easily accessible on foot or by bike and sits close to residential areas, making a visit convenient. The paths around the shoreline are flat and suit visitors of different fitness levels.

The lake is not the bathing lake of the same name in Forst; swimming, grilling and camping are prohibited here, and the shore is a protected biotope. Since February 2021 it has lain within the Neureuter Feldflur landscape protection area, and the balance between nature conservation and recreation is debated politically.