Hornavan
Lake Sweden's deepest lake with clear freshwater
Hornavan, in northern Sweden, is the country’s deepest lake and a destination for anglers and outdoors people. Activities include trout fishing, boating and watching the midnight sun or northern lights from lakeshore cabins.
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Hornavan is a large freshwater lake in northern Sweden’s Norrbotten County, located in Swedish Lapland within Arjeplog Municipality. It is notable for being the deepest lake in Sweden, with a maximum depth of about 221 metres.
The lake offers an archipelago of islands, bays and sheltered waters used for boating, angling and wilderness recreation; anglers target cold-water species and small lodges and boat launches are found around the shore. The shoreline and islands create a varied water landscape popular with visitors who explore by boat or canoe.
Hornavan is a glacially formed lake set among boreal forest and low mountains typical of Swedish Lapland. The lake lies within the Arctic-subarctic environment of northern Sweden and is accessed from local roads and the settlements of Arjeplog Municipality.
The lake is part of the regional freshwater and river systems that drain to the surrounding waterways and supports local fisheries and recreational activities.
- Depth: Maximum recorded depth is about 221 metres, making it the deepest lake in Sweden.
- Recreation: Located within Arjeplog Municipality in Swedish Lapland, the lake contains many islands and shorelines used for boating and recreational fishing.
Tips for Visiting Hornavan #
- Plan visits for early morning or late evening light if you want mirror-like reflections and calm water for photography; winds often pick up mid‑day across the wide lake.
- Use Arjeplog as your practical base - it's the main town with road access and boat/charter services for exploring Hornavan's islands and remote shoreline that day-trippers often miss.
- If you want to explore islands or remote coves, arrange a boat or guide from Arjeplog in advance; self-access along the lake shore can be limited and uneven, so local operators are the reliable way to reach lesser-seen spots.
Best Time to Visit Hornavan #
Visit in summer for the easiest access, boating and fishing; winter offers frozen-lake activities but brings extreme cold and limited services.
Weather & Climate near Hornavan #
Hornavan's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 17°C. Moderate rainfall (569 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -8°C and lows of -17°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -17°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
