Strandbad Orankesee

Orankesee Lido: Kettle Lake with a 52-meter Slide

The Orankesee Lido is located in Alt-Hohenschönhausen by a lake that formed after the last ice age from a melting block of dead ice (kettle lake). Its name dates back to the Slavic word for a reddish-brown lake, and it belongs to a whole chain of small lakes leading down from the Barnim plateau to the Berlin glacial valley. Approximately four hectares of water surface, a 940-meter shoreline, and a depth of nearly seven meters at its deepest point make it one of Berlin’s smaller bathing lakes, but also one of the most reliable. Lake Orankesee has no inlets; its water level is maintained by groundwater wells, and the iron in the groundwater binds phosphorus in summer, so algae find hardly any nutrients. The state office classifies the bathing water quality as excellent, no mass blooms of blue-green algae have been observed here in four years, and the measurement series from the past season consistently showed no warnings. Only the underwater plants grow so vigorously that the bathing area must be regularly cleared. During a renaturation project, shallow water zones were created along 85 percent of the banks, which are now densely overgrown with reeds and water lilies.

Sandy Beach, Soccer Arena, and Winter Bathing at Orankesee

The lido opened in 1929 and has been run by the same family as lessees since 2002, which is evident in the slightly old-fashioned, very friendly atmosphere. The lake is divided into non-swimmer and swimmer areas and protected from boat traffic, but the main attraction for families is the 52-meter long water slide, which includes a separate small slide for children. Additionally, there’s a sandy beach and sunbathing lawn, a soccer arena, a beach volleyball court, two table tennis tables, a playground, a snack bar, and rental for beach chairs and sun loungers. Admission costs 8 Euros, reduced 5.50 Euros; payment is cash only. Access to the water is barrier-free, but the toilets are not, and dogs must stay outside; there is an exercise area for them in the surrounding park. On the shore, there’s also a restaurant with a lake terrace, and in late summer, the Friends’ Association hosts the Lake Festival here, which has now taken place for the twentieth time. A special feature: Since 1979, the “Berliner Seehunde” (Berlin Seals) use the lido for winter bathing. A 1.3-kilometer long lakeside path runs around the lake under plane trees, oaks, and lindens.