Swimming Lake Lower Ilz reservoir Hals Passau

The lower Ilz reservoir is located directly above the trift barrier in the Passau district of Hals. The reservoir can be reached by bike within 20 minutes from the old town of Passau. There is a small car park for motorists directly at the lake (low stall fee). On hot summer days, many students of the University of Passau am See, which is also the starting point for many hikes and running routes in the Ilz valley loops, cavort around the lake.

In contrast to the Oberilzmühle reservoir, which even offers a designated nudist area, the lower Ilz reservoir is not a public bathing lake, so bathing is at your own risk. A small kiosk provides bathers with ice on a stick or chilled drinks. Even a small beer garden will be set up if the weather is suitable. Changing rooms are located both on the meadow and in the water guard's cottage.

The shade at this reservoir is mainly along the hiking or cycling path, as the trees at the edge of the bank provide the necessary sun protection. The shade then wanders up the hill with the sunbathing lawn during the day.

Dogs are allowed at this bathing place on the Ilz, but should be kept on a leash as at any bathing lake. Due to the unclear entry points to the Ilz and the lack of a children's playground, the lower Ilz reservoir is rather unsuitable for families arriving with small children. There are better alternatives such as the upper Ilz reservoir or, if you want to take a longer walk, the Rannasee bathing lake near Wegscheid, which has a 120m long slide and an adventure playground. Another tip is the river swimming pool in the Ilz near Fischhaus, which is located about 15km north of Passau near Ruderting/Fischhaus.

The hike or the popular jogging routearound the Ilz loop in Passau leads past the lower Ilz reservoir and can be perfectly integrated into an afternoon plan, as a walk in this particularly beautiful section of the Ilz valley is also possible. A somewhat extended walk to the upper Ilz reservoir (Oberilzmühle) is also possible without any further effort in about one hour.

Note on water temperature: The measurement for the Ilz is made in Kalteneck further north. Experience shows that the water temperature at the lower Ilz reservoir is always a few degrees warmer in summer.

The Hals district is located north of the old town of Passau. Coming from the A3, (exit Passau-Nord) follow the road straight on until the crossing after the Ilz breakthrough (20m long tunnel at the top of the village).

Here the road divides into B12 and B388. We turn left towards Freyung/Hutthurm/Grubweg/Hals/Salzweg.

After about 1km on Freyunger Straße, drive up the serpentines for a short time and take the second left into Ilzleite towards Hals.

After crossing the bridge you will find yourself at the Halser Marktplatz. It's only a few hundred yards from here. At the market place, turn right up the Schmiedberg, cross a small bridge and you are almost at the car park of the Ilz reservoir.