FROM PITEÅ TO STORFORSEN
Experience Storforsen
Storforsen is one of the most impressive natural attractions in Sweden, known for being one of Europe’s largest unregulated rapids. It’s a great playgound and recreational area for locals and tourists alike, perfect to spend some time hiking, sunbathing and outdoor cooking!
On this page
On the road to Storforsen
Places to camp
Favourite activites
About Storforsen
Home > The route > Leg 2 > Piteå to Storforsen
On the road to Storforsen
The road between Piteå and Storforsen follows the Piteå River north. Along the way you will pass smaller country-side villages. The two largest villages are Sikfors and Älvsbyn.
Worth a stop
Piteå Handelsträdgård is a beautiful large garden and store which hosts activities in the summer and is a good place to stop for a coffee .
Böle Tannery is the last standing spuce bark tannery in the world crafting unique cattle leather into bags and other leather goods. Visit the tannery and store located on the Piteå riverbank in the village of Böle.
Worth a detour
Treehotel, architect-designed treehouse rooms suspended in a forest and Arctic Bath, a unique floating spa and hotel, are definitely worth a detour to the village of Harads.
If you want to stay over before you reach Storforsen
Camp sites:
Sikfors camping
Selholmens camping
Stopovers:
Älvsby folkhögskola
Places to camp at Storforsen
Just after the Bredsel village you will arrive at Storforsen and at the bottom of the rapids you will find Storforsen Hotel and campsite with a breathtaking view of the rapids. The camping is fully equipped with all the usual ameneties, and if you ask us this is one of the best camp sites in northern Sweden.
Storforsen campsite
Just below the rapids you can find Storforsen Hotel and Camping. The hotel is the campsite reception and its restaurant offers a great view of the rapids.
The campsite is very well kept and there is a walking bridge from the campsite leading to a path that will take you all the way over the river, up to the top of the rapids.
The Hotel restaurant serves great food, and if you are into Padel there are two indoor padel courts at the far end of the campsite.
Other places to camp
Xplore Camping 65°N
On the road up to the top of the rapids there is a small campsite in the woodland that is run by a German couple. At the time of writing they do not have a website, but you can navigate there with the help of Google Maps. There you can also find images and reviews. If you do not want to stay at the big campsite at Storforsen Hotel, this is a great option.
Free camping at Brudforsen
Just north of Storforsen you can take a small road down to the river to Brudforsen. Here there is space for 4-6 vans and a fireplace. Bring firewood from the Tourist Center at Storforsen and enjoy the view! Navigate here with the help of Google Maps!
Free camping at Benbryteforsen
Further upstream the River, a great little stopover gem with plenty of space to park next to the river! Drive through the Military area (no stopping!) 23 km from Storforsen, there is a bridge over the river called “Benbryteforsen”. Cross the bridge and drive back south for 2 km and you will find it. Navigate here with the help of Google Maps.
Free camping at Telejaur
If you want a little more adventure head to the beautiful little lake of Telejaur in the middle of the forrest. “Jaur” is derived from the Sami word “Jaure” meaning lake, so whenever you see this at the end of a place name, expect a lake! Navigate here with the help of Google Maps.
Our favorite activities at Storforsen
Lunch by the rapids
Bring something nice to cook (perhaps some Pitepalt) on the fire at one of the fireplaces spread around the nature reserve, fire wood is provided – ask in the Tourist Information & Shop.
Take a swim in The Dead Falls
On a warm summer’s day swimming below The Dead Fall is a fantastic experience, a large rock formation in the middle of the area. This has been the playground for locals for many generations.
Mountainbike trails
Try the Mountainbike trail above the Rapids, you’ll cycle through beautiful pine heaths, across marshlands, along smaller trails, and over the ridgeline next to the mighty rapids.
About Storforsen
Storforsen is one of the most impressive natural attractions in Sweden, known for being one of Europe’s largest unregulated rapids.
Storforsen stretches over a length of 5 kilometers, with a total drop of about 82 meters. During the spring and summer months, especially during the snowmelt, the rapids are at their most dramatic. At its peak, 870 cubic meters of water per second rush through the rapids, creating a thunderous roar. Even in winter, when parts of the river freeze, the scene is stunning, with icy formations adding to the wild beauty of the landscape.
The nature reserve
Storforsen is surrounded by a nature reserve, which offers several walking paths that give you a close-up view of the rapids, as well as access to the quieter surrounding forests. You can explore areas with calmer water, perfect for picnics or relaxing by the river. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, reindeer, and other forest animals.
Rocky terrain
The area near the rapids is rocky terrain that was left behind as the river’s course was moved for tree logging. This fascinating, otherworldly landscape is made up of large rocks and pools that the water no longer reaches, creating an eerily beautiful, silent contrast to the thundering rapids.
History
Storforsen has been important to the region’s culture for centuries. Historically, the rapids were a key part of the logging industry in Northern Sweden. You can learn more about this history at the Storforsen Visitor Center, which provides information on local flora, fauna, and the natural environment.