Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof is an inland lake spot near Gunzenhausen that supports wind and water sports with strong on-site infrastructure. The launch setup centers around a large grassy meadow right at the water’s edge, making rigging and launching straightforward, and it’s commonly described as suitable for beginners due to the controlled, lake-like riding conditions. For wind sports, the prevailing wind is west-northwest and mainly driven by weather-front/gradient flow rather than thermal effects. On the water, conditions can be gusty, but typically remain manageable for lake riding. Kite activity is organized around a designated Kite-Zone at the Schlungenhof Surfufer, and access follows seasonal rules (typically from April 1 to October 31), with an additional note to avoid the bird sanctuary on the northern side of the lake. Water conditions are described as flat with occasional chop, and water quality can vary (often cloudy at the spot). Water temperatures reach roughly 22°C at peak summer, while colder periods can run much lower; wetsuits are generally expected year-round, with thicker insulation needed in winter and shoulder seasons. Some shallow areas require care when wingfoiling, as foil-safe depth is reached only after walking out from shore. Safety-wise, the main practical hazards include gusty wind near the shore, swimmers in adjacent areas, and near-shore structures such as stone groynes/wooden pilings. Late-summer cyanobacteria blooms can occur, so it’s important to check local warnings before traveling—especially during prolonged hot spells. Lifeguard coverage is typically weekend-based in summer, and emergency response relies on local services with the general emergency number 112.
- Meadow rigging/launch right at the water
- Designated kite zone and clear seasonal riding rules
- Strong beginner access due to large standing area near shore
- On-site school, rentals, and gear storage/repair options
- Late-summer cyanobacteria risk—check warnings
- Large meadow for rigging/launching with direct access to the water
- Flat inland-water conditions are generally friendly for beginners and progression
- Good infrastructure: surf school, rentals, and on-site gear storage/repair support
- Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) risk in late summer during prolonged hot periods
- Kitesurfing is restricted to a marked zone with seasonal access rules
- Gusty winds and hazards near shore (pilings/groynes) require caution around swimmers
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Predominantly weather-front/gradient driven; west-northwest directions are favored.
- Reliability
- The wind relies on low-pressure systems moving through Central Europe; conditions can be gusty due to inland/topography.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusty at times, but generally manageable for lake conditions.
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–17 m²
- Shadow Zones
- Light turbulence can occur near tree lines and nearby buildings in Schlungenhof.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand described, with some sources also noting mixed shore composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Lake water with generally flat conditions; some sources also note chop.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop/controlled inland roughness can occur, but the riding area remains relatively calm.
- Launch
- Medium — Large grassy meadow for rigging and launching directly by the water.
Through the year
High during windy weekends and summer holidays; very quiet in early spring and late autumn.
Occasional summer thunderstorms can produce strong, dangerous gusts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Freeride/freestyle on predominantly flat lake water with a grassy meadow directly at the water’s edge for rigging and launching. A designated kite zone is used for on-water riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Flat water conditions suitable for freeride, with strong infrastructure and on-site support.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–8.5 m²
Flat-water wingfoiling with foil-friendly conditions; note that the water shallows near the shore and requires a short walk before reaching foil-safe depth.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.0 meter after walking out from the shore.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Suitable for snowkiting in winter with appropriate thick gear.
- Snow Conditions
- Packed
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) in the full forecast view.
Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- WSW240°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 3–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Gusty winds near shore
- Stone groynes and wooden pilings near the shore
- Swimmers in adjacent zones
- Seasonal blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in late summer
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Weekends only — Lifeguards are typically present during summer weekends.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Local rescue services operate mainly during summer and on weekends.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 112. DLRG/lifeguards are often present during summer weekends.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is strictly limited to the marked Kite-Zone at the Schlungenhof Surfufer, with seasonal access rules typically active from April 1 to October 31. Avoid the bird sanctuary on the northern side of the lake.
- Kitesurfing only in the designated Kite-Zone
- Seasonal access rules (April 1 - October 31)
- Avoid the bird sanctuary on the northern side of the lake
- Check local warnings before traveling for blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).
- Parking fills up quickly on windy weekends.
- For calmer lake sessions, the spot can be quiet when winds are gusty but stay lake-appropriate.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Gunzenhausen
- Nearest Town
- Gunzenhausen
- Nearest Airport
- Nuremberg Airport (NUE) ~60 km
- Parking
- Large parking lot/paid parking directly at the surf beach; can be used for overnight camper parking and fills up quickly on windy weekends.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Gunzenhausen railway station with local bus connections around the lake perimeter.
- Access
- From Munich: take A9 and exit in Greding, drive B13 to the lake, pass Gunzenhausen, then turn left on Ansbacher Strasse until the lake. From Nuremberg: A6 to exit Ansbach, drive south on B13, turn right on Ansbacher Strasse before Schlungenhof; follow signs to the surf area. Park directly at the spot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping/motorhome options adjacent to the activity area, plus accommodation in Gunzenhausen.
- Food & Drink
- On-site lakeside dining with hot meals and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Full range of kite, windsurf, and wingfoil equipment available via the on-site school.
- Gear Storage
- Storage lockers for seasonal or daily use at the surf center.
- Gear Repair
- Minor sail and kite repairs can often be handled by the local school.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Large nature reserve at the northern end of the lake with an observation tower for viewing rare bird species.
Historical town center featuring medieval architecture and sites related to the Roman Limes (UNESCO).
Flat 12.5 km circuit around the entire lake, popular for cycling and inline skating.
Lakeside dining with traditional Franconian cuisine and views of the water.
Themed playgrounds located at various beach areas around the lake.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen)?
The best overall months at Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen)?
Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) works with NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) suitable for?
Altmühlsee / Schlungenhof (Gunzenhausen) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Snowkiting: Beginner.