As one of the southern states of Germany, Hessen has a lot to offer. In addition to a strong economy and vibrant cities, Hessen also has history, great buildings, nature and great lakes to show.
Most famous is the Edersee, which due to its size and beautiful surroundings is very popular not only with the locals. This gigantic reservoir alone is worth a visit.
So it's worth getting to know the ten largest lakes in Hessen better, and how could that work better than by walking around them? There are over 120 kilometers waiting for you, with the Edersee being the "thickest board".
Sign up for the Iron Lake Challenge Hessen and spend wonderful hours on the shores of Hessen's lakes.
RULES
The rules for the Iron Lake Challenge Hessen are very simple. Nevertheless, we would like to clarify them again at this point:
- Register for the Iron Lake Challenge Hessen (Klick auf das Logo weiter unten)!
- To conquer this challenge and get the beautiful collector's medal "Hessen edition” you have to walk around the ten largest lakes in Hesse.
- Bicycles, skates, etc. are not allowed, but you are welcome to hike or run.
- Each lake must be circumnavigated "in one piece". This means that you are welcome to take breaks, but you should complete the lake within one day, unless there is a special regulation (e.g. Edersee). Of course you can divide the 10 lakes into different days. Do only one lake per day, because you want to enjoy this time!
- You have as long as you want for the ten lakes. You don't have to go around it within a year. You should enjoy and not rush!
- We trust you that you have really circumnavigated the lakes. However, if you want to be included in the time ranking, we need a copy of your tracking. We don't care what you use (watch, smartphone or app).
General PLEASE NOTE!
- Please note that the Road Traffic Act applies in public traffic areas and along roads and cycle paths. So move considerately.
- You circumnavigate the lakes at your own risk and at your own risk. The operator of this website assumes no liability.
- Please heed medical advice if necessary or have a medical examination before the start of the Challenge. You are responsible for your own health, equipment and condition. Breaking off a tour is not a disgrace, health always comes first!
A few rules for dealing with nature during your lake tour:
- Please take into account the local instructions for the protection of nature.
- Please do not go off the trails.
- Please do not make noise.
- Please do not collect rocks or minerals.
- Please do not collect mushrooms.
- Please do not leave trash lying around.
- Please do not feed animals.
- Please do not make an open fire.
- Please do not pick plants.
This should be obvious to all of us, but it doesn't hurt to remember it from time to time.
REGISTRATION AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
The registration for the Iron Lake Challenge Hessen costs you 24,- EUR.
In this entry fee is our Iron Lake Challenge “Hessen” Sammlermedaille and the green marble (25mm) of the Timeless Challenge included.
However, for this you first have to go around the ten largest lakes in Hesse! Only then we will send you the well-deserved medal and marble! After all, you want to earn them and not get them as a gift.
With your registration fee you support my heart project of the Reforestation of one million trees worldwide!
How to register:
- Please click on the logo and you will be redirected to the registration page of our partner Digistore24
- You will now receive a registration confirmation
- Now you have to walk around the ten largest lakes in Hesse. As soon as you have completed them, please send us an excerpt of your tracking as proof.
- After we have checked this, you will receive your well-deserved medal and marble. Easy, isn't it?
YOUR MEDAL AND YOUR MARBLE
If you have walked around the ten largest lakes in Hesse, then you have earned the beautiful Iron Lake Challenge in the edition "Hesse" medal. This can be the first in your upcoming Iron Lake Challenge collection or can complement your existing one.
LIFE SCORE POINTS AND THE TIMELESS MARBLE
The Iron Lake Challenge is part of our Timeless Challenge. Therefore, you deserve (in addition to the collector's medal) the marble in green (health/sport). This will also be sent to you. The marble will have a diameter of 25mm.
You earn with your performance approx. 10 Life Score points. Diese werden sowohl der Ehrentafel Hessen, als auch dem Life Lake Museum credited. This service is free of charge for you.
THE TEN LARGEST LAKES IN HESSE
Hesse's ten largest lakes are very different in their size, formation and surroundings. The Krombachtalsperre is also partly in Hesse, but partly belongs to Rhineland-Palatinate, which is why it is missing from this Challenge.
Edersee
The Eder Reservoir (Edersee) is the second largest reservoir in Germany by water surface area, the third largest by volume, and the largest lake in Hesse. It provides water for the Mittelland Canal and the Weser River. But it is also part of the Kellerwald-Edersee Nature Park and thus beautifully situated and represents a popular recreation and vacation area. Depending on the chosen tour, a circumnavigation of the Edersee can require between 45 to 60 kilometers on foot. But you have two days for that. You should enjoy it.
Tour suggestions for circumnavigating Lake Eder
Affoldener See
The Affoldener See is also a reservoir and part of the national park "Kellerwald-Edersee" and therefore a popular recreation area. The lake is located only about 2.5km as the crow flies from the Edersee. Originally the reservoir was built in 1929, but at that time it was much smaller. In 1979 it was enlarged so that it grew to its current size. The circular trail offers you a beautiful nature on 12.5 kilometers of footpath.
Suggested tours around the Affolden Lake
Diemelsee
Diemeltalsperre (Diemelsee) is located in the north Hessian district of Waldeck-Frankenberg in the municipality of Diemelsee and was also built (along with the Edersee) to regulate the Weser River. The reservoir is beautifully situated in a forested low mountain range landscape. A walk around the lake offers you a beautiful view of this landscape on almost 13 kilometers.
Tour suggestions for circumnavigating the Diemelsee lake
Borkener See
Lake Borken emerged from a former open-cast lignite mine (Altenburg 4 pit) after flooding and is now the largest lake in the Lake Borken nature reserve. It is an important resting place for rare birds. Water sports and swimming are prohibited in this lake. The circular trail leads you on 7.2 kilometers around the lake.
Suggested tours around the lake Borken
Werratalsee
The Werratalsee is a large dredged lake, which is now hardly noticeable, because it is beautifully greened. Thus, it is now a popular destination for recreation seekers who come for sailing, canoeing, swimming or even windsurfing. Two sandy beaches (supervised by the water guard) are very popular with bathers. One circuit is about 7 kilometers long.
Suggested tours around the Werratal Lake
Langener Waldsee
The Langener Waldsee is a former dredging lake which is still used as such on the west side. It offers separate swimming areas, a 900-meter-long sandy beach, and opportunities for surfing, sailing, fishing and camping, and of course hiking and running. A circumnavigation offers you about seven kilometers of shore.
Suggested tours around the Langener Waldsee lake
Kinzigtalsperre
The Kinzigtalsperre is a smaller reservoir that dams the namesake "Kinzig". Its water depth is almost twice as high in summer as in winter. A circumnavigation requires from you about 10 kilometers (depending on the intended tour).
Suggested tours around the Kinzig dam
Gombether See
The Gombether See is currently being created from a former open-cast lignite mine. Currently, it is interesting to see how it is systematically flooded, even if its final water surface will be reached only in 2028. If you want to walk around it, you have to calculate about six kilometers. You can also combine it wonderfully with the Borkener See, since this is in the immediate vicinity.
Suggestions for tours around the lake Gombeth
Twistesee
The Twiste river of the same name is dammed in the Twistesee. It is a regionally very popular recreational area due to its diverse range of leisure activities. Especially its approx. 7 kilometer long circular trail (ideal for hiking and running) is very popular.
Suggestions for tours around the lake Twiste
Haunetalsperre
The Haunetalsperre was built to protect the villages along the Haune. It is located between forests in the north and agriculturally used areas in the east and serves as a local recreation area and is mainly used by anglers, water sports enthusiasts and hikers. The circular trail is about 4 kilometers long.
Suggested tours around the Haunetal Dam
THE IRON LAKE CHALLENGE IN SOCIAL MEDIA
HASHTAGS OF THE IRON LAKE CHALLENGE
We would be happy if you share pictures, videos and your experiences around the Iron Lake Challenge with others. For this purpose we provide you with the following hashtags:
- #ironlakechallenge
- #ironlakechallengehessen
- #timelesschallenge
The IRON LAKE CHALLENGE ON FACEBOOK
Of course we also invite you to join our Facebook group "Iron Lake Challenge Discussion Board".
IRON LAKE CHALLENGE HESSEN EHRENTAFEL
Here you can quickly and easily enter your results and upload the evidence (e.g. screen copy of your tracking). We check them and approve them. Then your result is saved and appears in the honor roll.
Instructions for the Challenge Tool
This is how our honor board works
- Register on our site
- Select the lake you are circumnavigating under "Summit/Lake
- Enter the distance you have covered (in meters) under "Length / Mountain height (in m)"
- Enter the required time (in minutes) under "Time needed (in min).
- Enter the date of your circumnavigation under "date"
- Now you can upload the evidence (e.g. a screenshot of your tracking) under "Upload proof (optional)"
- Now all you have to do is SAVE!
- We check your round and release it. Then you will see your result in the ranking.
Points
Hallo,
sehr schöne Challenge, aber leider wurde der Schottener Stausee / Niddastausee mit einer Strecke von 5km drumherum nicht berücksichtigt. Dabei liegt er wunderschön am Fuße des größten europäischen Vulkans – des Vogelsbergs.
Viele Grüße
Kai
Hallo Kai,
vielen Dank für die netten Worte. Das freut uns sehr und gibt Power für die Zukunft. Der Niddastausee ist von der Wasserfläche her leider nicht in den Top-10 der größten Seen Hessens. Ich habe gerade noch einmal nachgeschaut.
Trotzdem finde ich Deinen Tipp für einen Ausflug dorthin sehr wertvoll. Als alter Vulkan-fan ist das für mich persönlich ein toller Hinweis!
Viele Grüße,
Uwe
Hallo.
Der Link für den Gombether See ist nicht mehr vorhanden.
Gibt es dafür noch eine andere Tour?
Lg
Hallo Thilo,
vielen Dank für Deinen Hinweis. Ich habe im Internet leider keinen anderen Tourenvorschlag über Komoot gefunden, weshalb ich einen über Google Maps erstellen musste. Ich frage jedoch in unserer FB-Gruppe nach. Da hat bestimmt jemand den See schon umrundet und kann mir eine .gpx Datei oder einen Link schicken
Viele Grüße und einen guten Start in die neue Woche,
Uwe
Hallo, der Gombether See ist kaum noch zu umrunden. Vielleicht war ich zu früh. Aber das Gelände um den See ist privater Grund einer Firma, das steht überall. Zugänge zum ehemaligen Rundweg sind versperrt. Entweder muss man also durchs Unterholz (nicht zu empfehlen) oder an der Straße entlang. Etwas weniger als die Hälfte des Weges verläuft auf einem offiziellen Weg, dann wieder über Firmengrund, den man eigentlich nicht betreten darf. Vielleicht muss man sich von diesem See verabschieden und einen anderen dazu nehmen. Liebe Grüße, Katharina!
Liebe Katahrina,
vielen Dank für Deinen Hinweis. Sowas ist für mich sehr wichtig. Deshalb schaue ich es mir die kommende Woche an, befrage die Community nochmal und dann ändern wir das gegebenenfalls.
Danke nochmal und viele liebe Grüße,
Uwe