Which lake is the deepest in Europe?

The deepest lake in Europe is Hornindalsvatnet in Norway.

Hornindalsvatnet reaches a maximum measured depth of about 514 metres, making it Europe’s deepest lake. It is a long, narrow glacial lake in western Norway, with its surface about 53 metres above sea level. Its bottom consequently lies hundreds of metres below sea level.

The lake covers approximately 51 square kilometres and stretches for about 24 kilometres. Its deep basin was shaped by glacial erosion, and the lake drains through the Eidselva into the Eidsfjorden, part of the Nordfjorden system.

Hornindalsvatnet is sometimes confused with Lake Geneva, Lake Garda, or Lake Como because those are among Europe’s best-known deep lakes. It is also worth separating depth from surface area: Lake Ladoga is Europe’s largest lake by area, while Hornindalsvatnet holds the depth record. Nearby Salvatnet is Europe’s second-deepest lake, at about 482 metres.