Named after the nearby village of Steinhude, it has an area of about 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi), making it the largest lake of northwestern Germany.

It is part of the glacial landscape formed after the recession of the glaciers of the latest Ice Age, the Weichselian glaciation.

The other theory states that an ice storm formed the hole and as the groundwater rose, the lake was created.

Up to three ships offer cruises; they are supplemented by smaller boats running on schedule across the lake.

A bike path approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) long encircles the lake, crossing various landscapes.