When you find yourself in the magical region of Norrbotten, a spot you must consider is Storforsen.
This post will talk about our experience visiting Storforsen and everything you need to know before you go.
Storforsen is one of Europe’s largest unregulated rapids, sitting on the Pite River (Piteälven) near Älvsbyn in Norrbotten. If you’re visiting Harads, it’s roughly one hour away by car.
The area has a big parking lot, where many camper vans usually park. You’re not allowed to camp on the nature reserve but you can walk and grill on their designated spots, swim or just marvel at the rapids that fall 82 meters over five kilometers.
Our recommendation is to go in June and July, when the water is the strongest, but enjoy whichever time of the year you want! I’ve even been there in winter and it was gorgeous.
When you arrive you will see a big parking lot. Parking there is free and you’re just a couple minutes away from the main rest area with a restaurant that serves lunch until 15:00, toilets and information points.
From there you start making your way toward the nature reserve. There are several small bridges you cross and even though there’s not many signs, you’ll find yourself easily by the rapids. You can hear the roar of the water as you approach and even the droplets flying in the air even from a distance.
On the way you will see several grilling stations that are free to use. Make sure there’s no fire restrictions in the area. If they are free you can grill—make sure to bring everything you need as they only provide the structure and seating area.
In no time you will arrive to the first viewing area of the rapids. Enjoy the rumble of the water, the fresh air, and take nice pictures.
One you’re done keep going down through the designated paths and you will reach a view of the rapids from below. Personally, my favorite viewpoint. Here, the water crashes hard and you might get a bit wet. It’s also not as protected as the other area so keep that in mind if you have kids.
On your way back, enjoy the paths toward a small stream with ample picnic opportunities, or swim in the designated natural swimming area. We didn’t swim because it was cold but many families did! The water is clear, nice, and it’s kid friendly.
Lastly, if you’ve arrived in the morning, enjoy lunch in the cafe (or an ice cream)!
This is a great experience for families and nature lovers. It doesn’t take long to explore the area but you can extend the experience by having a picnic, swimming or grilling. It can be busy on weekends or really warm days so, if you can go on a weekday, it would be best.
We hope you enjoyed this Storforsen guide and let us know if you have any questions!
