Hornindalsvatnet

The deepest lake in Europe is located in Norway's fjords, close to one of Scandinavia's most picturesque tourist routes, and surrounded by mountains and glaciers. Hornindalsvatnet, at 514 meters deep, is not only the deepest lake in Europe but also the only one on the continent. By depth, it is ranked 12th in the world. In 2006, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) sent to examine the lake's deepest point found a new species of fish.

Due to the lake's saline bottom and freshwater top, Hornindalsvatnet is special. The reason for this is that melted snow flows toward the top of the lake while saltwater from the fjords enters from the bottom and settles there. During the warmer months, swimming or canoeing here will allow you to see far into the lake because the water is so clear. The lake freezes over in the winter, creating a breathtaking display of dancing lights.

The lake and its shorelines, with the exception of a few ferry piers, have remained largely untouched in order to preserve natural nature. Nearby villages' history museums, equestrian stables, and Iron Age burial mounds are all surrounded by a network of hiking and cycling trails.

Location: Møre og Romsdal and Vestland