About the lake

• Lake Zvārtava is a flow-through lake located in Gaujiena Rural Territory of Smiltene Municipality.
• Lake area: 33.9 ha, average depth: 2 m, maximum depth: 3.9 m.
• An elongated lake basin with a narrowing at the eastern end. Shores are partly gentle and partly sloping, with a silty bottom. Zvārtava Stream flows through the lake towards the River Gauja; two drainage ditches also flow into the river.
• Fish species in the lake include pike, bream, perch, roach, crucian carp, tench, carp, rudd, bleak, and ide. Common water plants include reeds, rushes, sweet flag, horsetail, sedges, bogbeans, pondweeds, elodea, yellow water lilies, and knotweeds. A nesting site for water birds.

A well-maintained recreation area is located by Lake Zvārtava, featuring picnic tables, benches, a campfire site, and a swimming area. Volleyball courts are also available for active recreation enthusiasts.

In dry weather, the lake can be walked or cycled around – a 7 km circular route along dirt roads. Along the way, visitors can see the Zvārtava Ancient Burial Grounds, Zvārtava Manor and Park, and Zvārtava Windmill.

The route navigation (GPX) file is available here.