Experience a constantly changing landscape on this tour on the edge of the third largest open-cast mine in the lignite mining area. The Blausteinsee route takes you around the Blausteinsee lake, which was created as part of the recultivation of the Zukunft-West open-cast mine. Where once there were villages and fields, there is now the approximately 100-hectare, 46-metre-deep Blausteinsee lake, offering swimming fun for the whole family. Memorial stones and wayside crosses on the paths around the lake and the surrounding green belt are reminders of the places that once existed and had to make way for the advancing open-cast mine.

Our recommendation: Combine your circular tour with the great water activities on Lake Blaustein or simply relax after the tour in the sunshine on the terraces and promenades right by the water.

The lake is an ideal bathing area for the whole family and offers a wide range of water sports: diving, sailing, surfing, swimming and much more. Surfers will find excellent conditions for chasing across the water in the frequent north-westerly winds. Canoes and rowing boats can be used to explore the entire 100 hectares of the lake and sailing enthusiasts can take advantage of the three sailing clubs located on the lake. Divers will also find ideal conditions with diving depths of up to 40 meters, clear water, platforms at depths of 6 meters, 9 meters and 20 meters, and numerous diving destinations to dive to, including a fully rigged sailing boat at the bottom of the lake. The construction of the lake stage has further enhanced the leisure facilities on Lake Blaustein.

However, to reduce the route solely to the newly created lake and the idyllic landscape surrounding it would be to miss the point. There is also plenty to discover away from the water. For example, the Indemann on the Goltsteinkuppe, which can be seen from afar, offers the viewer a spectacular panoramic view of the Indeland. The 36-metre-high landmark points with its arm to the constantly changing landscape of the Inden open-cast mine. If you are interested in the topic of open-cast lignite mining, we recommend a detour to the RWE Info Center in the Weisweiler lignite-fired power station, which is located along the route. Here, the process sequence from lignite mining to electricity generation and the development of a sustainable recultivated open-cast mine is shown.