Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe

Did the earth tremble here? Not from an earthquake, but from the sheer volume of gravel excavated to create the Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe. This lake, sometimes called Ludwigsfelder See or even Hundesee, stretches out before us, a 5.5-hectare testament to human engineering. It’s nestled on the southeastern edge of Allacher Lohe, a green oasis in Munich’s Ludwigsfeld district. The Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe wasn’t always here. In the 1990s, the construction of the neighboring Rangierbahnhof Nord railway yard demanded vast quantities of gravel. This gravel was sourced directly from the post-glacial deposits of the Dachauer Moos, carving out the space where the Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe now rests. The lake was initially designed as a reservoir for the railway yard. It’s fed by rainfall, groundwater, and the Hartmannshofer Bach, its waters flowing out through the Schwabenbächl. Today, Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe forms a crucial part of Munich’s green belt. Interestingly, it’s part of a protected area, a Fauna-Flora-Habitat, within the Allacher Forst. Along with the Angerlohe forest, it’s a haven for diverse flora and fauna. This tranquil setting plays a vital role in protecting amphibian breeding grounds and providing nesting areas for waterfowl. Officially, swimming is prohibited in Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe, both for people and their furry friends. This restriction aims to preserve the undisturbed development of the shoreline and the shallow water zones. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and visitors are expected to stay on the designated paths to avoid hefty fines. However, the reality is a bit different. The north shore is fenced off, and the ban is largely respected there. But the southern, western, and eastern shores, open and inviting, often see both two-legged and four-legged visitors enjoying a refreshing dip. Just west of Landschaftssee Allacher Lohe lies a remarkable piece of history—a 4.5-hectare urnfield cemetery from the Urnfield period, a silent reminder of those who lived here long before the roar of trains and the shimmer of the lake.