The 10 Largest Lakes In Norway

Norway is a country in northern Europe. Officially the Kingdom of Norway, the country contains at least 450,000 freshwater lakes, most of which were formed as a result of glacial activity. Despite a large number of lakes, many are small and make up a combined area of approximately 17,100 km2. In fact, less than 400 of Norway's lakes have a surface area greater than 5 km2. The largest lakes in Norway in terms of surface area are highlighted below.
1. 惭箩酶蝉补
惭箩酶蝉补 is the largest lake in Norway in terms of surface area, covering an area of 362 km2.聽Additionally, with a maximum depth of 468 m, it is聽the country鈥檚 fourth deepest lake. 惭箩酶蝉补 is located about 100 km from Norway's capital, Oslo, in the northern part of the country. The Gudbrandsdalsl氓gen feeds the lake in the north, while its primary outlet is Vorma, which is located to the south. Approximately 20 species of fish, including European perch, grayling, common roach, and brown trout, live in the lake. Helg酶ya is the largest island in the lake, while other islets in 惭箩酶蝉补 include the Steinsholmen, which features a medieval citadel from the 13th century.
2. 搁酶蝉蝉惫补迟苍别迟
Norway鈥檚 second largest lake, 搁酶蝉蝉惫补迟苍别迟, occupies an area of 218.61 km2聽in Nordland county, and has a maximum depth of 240 m. The area around 搁酶蝉蝉惫补迟苍别迟 was first inhabited by humans during the Stone Age. Since 1957, the lake's area and volume have been controlled by a dam. Prior to the construction of the dam, the lake had an area of 190 km2.
3. Femunden
Femunden is Norway鈥檚 third biggest lake, encompassing 203.52 km2. The lake spans across Hedmark and Tr酶ndelag counties, close to the Norway-Sweden border. Femundsmarka National Park begins at the northeastern edge of the lake. Femunden has a maximum depth of 130 m and is located at an elevation of 662 m above sea level.
4. Randsfjorden
With an area of 139.23 km2, Randsfjorden is the fourth most extensive Norwegian lake. It is located in the county of Oppland and has a maximum depth of 120 m. Despite its name, Randsfjorden is not a saltwater inlet of the sea, but an inland freshwater lake that is narrow in shape. Many golf courses have been constructed at the edge of the lake.
5. Tyrifjorden (Lake Tyri)
Norway鈥檚 landlocked fjord, Lake Tyrifjorden, is located about 40 km northwest of Oslo, in the county of Buskerud. With an area of 138.56 km2, it is Denmark's fifth biggest lake, and reaches a maximum depth of 295 m. The Begna is the lake's primary inflow, while it is drained by the Drammenselva, which exits the lake near the town of Vikersund.
Deepest Lake in Norway
Hornindalsvatnet is not only the deepest lake in Norway, but the deepest in Europe. The lake has a maximum depth of 514 m and an average depth of 236 m. Since the lake is situated at an elevation of 53 m above sea level, the bottom of Hornindalsvatnet is 461 m below sea level. Despite its great depth, the lake is relatively small in area, covering only 50 km2.
List of the 10 Largest Lakes in Norway by Surface Area
Rank | Lake | County | Surface Area (km虏) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 惭箩酶蝉补 | Akershus, Hedmark, Oppland | 362 |
2 | 搁酶蝉蝉惫补迟苍别迟 | Nordland | 218.61 |
3 | Femund | Hedmark, S酶r-Tr酶ndelag | 203.52 |
4 | Randsfjorden | Oppland | 139.23 |
5 | Tyrifjorden | Buskerud | 138.56 |
6 | 厂苍氓蝉补惫补迟苍别迟 | 狈辞谤诲-罢谤酶苍诲别濒补驳 | 121.58 |
7 | 罢耻苍苍蝉箩酶别苍 | 狈辞谤诲-罢谤酶苍诲别濒补驳 | 100.18 |
8 | Limingen | 狈辞谤诲-罢谤酶苍诲别濒补驳 | 93.50 |
9 | 脴测别谤别苍 | Akershus, 脴stfold | 84.74 |
10 | 惭酶蝉惫补迟苍 | Telemark | 84.48 |