Hornavan

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.

• 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.