Located in northwestern Europe, the United Kingdom comprises England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The people of this region have a long and eventful history. As one of the strongest maritime powers, they traveled and shaped almost the entire world, leaving behind much more than just the global language of English.
History is omnipresent, visible in the landscape in the form of ancient landmarks. But the sometimes rugged nature is also typical of the region. The lakes of the United Kingdom are particularly beautiful; in addition to their diversity, they also impress with their sheer size. This makes the Iron Lake Challenge United Kingdom an enticing challenge.
Can you manage to circumnavigate the ten largest lakes in the UK on foot?
REGISTRATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
Registration for the Iron Lake Challenge United Kingdom costs 24,- EUR.
This entry fee includes our Iron Lake Challenge “UK Edition” collector’s medal, as well as the Timeless Challenge marble.
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However, to get these, you first have to circumnavigate the ten largest lakes in the United Kingdom! Only then will we send you your well-deserved medal and marble. After all, you want to earn them, not just have them handed to you.
How to sign up:
- Please click on the logo and you will be redirected to the registration page of our partner, Digistore24.
- You will then receive a registration confirmation.
- Now, you need to circumnavigate the ten largest lakes in the United Kingdom (see below) on foot.
- As soon as you have completed the ten lakes, please send us an extract of your tracking as proof. We will believe you even without tracking; however, you will then not be included in the Hall of Fame.
- After we have verified your proof, you will receive your well-deserved medal and marble. Easy, right?“
RULES
The rules for the Iron Lake Challenge UK are very straightforward. Still, we want to clear them up one more time here:
- Sign up for the Iron Lake Challenge UK!
- To conquer the Iron Lake Challenge UK and earn the beautiful collector’s medal, you must circumnavigate the ten largest lakes in the United Kingdom on foot after registering. Lakes that are partially located on the territory of other states are not considered for this challenge.
- Bicycles, skates, etc., are not permitted, but you are more than welcome to hike or run.
- You can take as much time as you like to complete a single lake. This means you can circumnavigate it in stages over several days.
- The Iron Lake Challenge UK has no time limit. This means you can take several years to complete all ten lakes.
- We trust that you have truly circumnavigated the lakes. However, if you wish to be included in the time rankings, we will need a copy of your tracking. We don’t mind which device or service you use (whether it’s a watch, smartphone, or app).
General Information – PLEASE NOTE!
- Please note that traffic rules apply in public areas and along roads and cycle paths. Therefore, please move considerately.
- You circumnavigate the lakes at your own peril and at your own risk. The operator of this website assumes no liability whatsoever.
- Please follow any medical advice or have a medical examination before starting the challenge. You are responsible for your own health, equipment, and physical condition. There is no shame in canceling a tour; your health always comes first!
A few important rules for respecting nature during your lake circumnavigations:
- Please observe local instructions regarding nature conservation.
- Please stay on the marked paths.
- Please keep noise to a minimum.
- Please do not collect stones or minerals.
- Please do not collect mushrooms.
- Please do not leave any litter behind. On the contrary, many of us even pick up litter along the way.
- Please do not feed any animals.
- Please do not light open fires.
- Please do not pick any plants.
This should be common sense for all of us, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded from time to time.
YOUR MEDAL AND YOUR MARBLE
Once you have circumnavigated the ten largest lakes in the United Kingdom on foot, you will have earned the beautiful Iron Lake Challenge “UK Edition” medal. This could be the first of many in your future Iron Lake Challenge collection.
Additionally, you will receive the Timeless Challenge marble (from our Timeless Challenge series).
LIFE SCORE POINTS
The Iron Lake Challenge is part of our Timeless Challenge. Therefore, you will earn Life-Score points in addition to the collector’s medal and the coin. These points will be automatically credited to you in our Hall of Fame. This service is free of charge for you.
The Ten Largest Lakes in the United Kingdom
Circumnavigating the ten largest lakes in the United Kingdom is a true challenge, as they are all impressive in size. However, you can take as much time as you wish. Unfortunately, we were unable to include Loch Morar (even though it technically belongs on the list), as there are no established footpaths for a complete circumnavigation.
Lough Neagh
The largest lake in the United Kingdom is located in Northern Ireland and offers some of Ulster’s most beautiful landscapes, featuring extensive wildlife habitats, pristine bays, and two remote islands. This is also where the now world-famous legend of Finn MacCool is said to have taken place. The circumnavigation of Lough Neagh is a popular route for cyclists and hikers and is known as the ‚Loughshore Trail.‘ It is approximately 178 kilometers long.
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Neagh
Lower Lough Erne
Lower Lough Erne is also located in Northern Ireland. It is connected to ‚Upper Lough Erne‘ by a waterway that is very popular with private boaters. However, it’s not just boating that is an attraction; the fantastic hiking trails, spanning approximately 100 kilometers (depending on the chosen route), are as well.
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Erne
Loch Lomond
och Lomond is the largest lake in Great Britain and is located in Scotland, in the southwest of the Scottish Highlands. Depending on the water level, Loch Lomond has up to 60 islands of varying sizes. Numerous songs celebrate this famous lake, and it is very popular with cyclists and hikers. To circumnavigate the lake, you will need to cover approximately 100 kilometers (depending on the chosen route).
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Lomond
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is a beautiful lake that is home to numerous species of fish. The surrounding area is very diverse and offers great sights alongside stunning nature. The lake frequently hosts sporting events that attract many spectators. The circumnavigation of Loch Ness is approximately 130 kilometers long. Perhaps you will even spot some residents you didn’t expect ;-)“
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Ness
Upper Lough Erne
Upper Lough Erne belongs to the Fermanagh Lakelands, a water wonderland in the heart of Northern Ireland. Ancient island settlements steeped in history, all kinds of water sports, great hotels and restaurants, and the bustling town of Enniskillen make this water paradise the perfect place for explorers. Depending on the route, a circumnavigation is approximately 70 to 90 kilometers long.
Recommended routes for circumnavigating upper Lough Erne
Loch Awe
Hier ist die Übersetzung für den Abschnitt zum Loch Awe:
„Stretching from southwest to northeast, Loch Awe is also located in Scotland and was formed by a glacier. It is well-known for its trout, but even salmon migrate into the lake. Depending on the chosen route, a circumnavigation is approximately 120 kilometers long.
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Awe
Loch Maree
Hier ist die Übersetzung für den Abschnitt zum Loch Maree:
„Loch Maree also has the typical elongated shape of a lake formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. It is approximately 20 km long but less than four kilometers wide. Dominating the landscape to the southeast of Loch Maree is the broad rocky mass of Slioch, which stands 981 m high.
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Maree
Loch Tay
The Scottish Loch Tay is one of the deepest lakes in Scotland. To the north, the loch is flanked by the impressive Ben Lawers mountain range, much of which is designated as a National Nature Reserve. The lake is popular with water sports enthusiasts, but hikers will also find plenty to enjoy. A circumnavigation is approximately 78 kilometers long (depending on the chosen route)
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Tay
Loch Shin
Loch Shin is the northernmost lake on our list. The loch is teeming with fish, and in autumn, thousands of salmon migrate up the loch. To the south, in the River Shin, they must overcome the Falls of Shin to get there. Circumnavigating it will take you approximately 90 kilometers (depending on the chosen route).
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Shin
Loch Rannoch
Loch Rannoch is a dammed freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands. In the western part of the loch lies an artificial island known as a crannog. The lake is popular with both anglers and hikers, but don’t forget your insect repellent, as midge infestations are common during the summer months. The circumnavigation is approximately 45 kilometers long.
Recommended routes for circumnavigating Lough Rannoch:
Iron Lake Challenge UK Hall of Fame
Here you can quickly and easily enter your lake circumnavigations and upload your proof (e.g., a screenshot of your tracking). We will review your submission and then approve it. Once approved, your result will be saved and will appear in the Hall of Fame.
How to use our Challenge Tool
- Register on our website
- Select the lake you circumnavigated under “Summit/Lake”
- Enter the distance you covered (in meters) under “Length / Mountain height (in m)“
- Enter the time taken (in minutes) under “Time needed (in min)”
- Enter the date of your circumnavigation under “date”
- Now you can upload your proof (e.g., a screenshot of your tracking) under “Upload proof (optional)“
- Now all you have to do is SAVE
THE IRON LAKE CHALLENGE IN SOCIAL MEDIA
Join our Forum
oin the conversation in our community! Our forum for experiences, trip reports, questions, and more.
HASHTAGS IRON LAKE CHALLENGE
We would love for you to share your photos, videos, and experiences involving the Iron Lake Challenge with others. To help you do that, we’ve provided the following hashtags for you to use:
- #ironlakechallenge
- #ironlakechallengeuk
- #timelesschallenge
THE IRON LAKE CHALLENGE ON FACEBOOK
We’d love to invite you to join our Facebook group! “Iron Lake Challenge Discussion Board”
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