A force of nature

Watching the Pite River hurl itself down the rock-strewn course of Storforsen is an experience in itself. During peak spring flood, as much as 900 cubic metres of water per second crash through the canyon – that’s the weight of hundreds of cars, every single second.
And it never stops.
Second by second. Minute by minute. Hour by hour. Day after day. Year after year.

But this is no highway. Far from it.

This is nature’s own road – shaped by ice ages, stone, and the slow passage of time. Here, the force isn’t measured in horsepower, but in natural power. The scent in the air comes not from exhaust fumes, but from wood smoke rising from nearby fire pits. The thunder you hear isn’t traffic, but the relentless rush of wild water. And the mist that lingers in the air? It’s not pollution – it’s pure water vapor, born of the river’s movement.

Nature sets the pace

Just 40 kilometres northwest of Älvsbyn, this untamed stretch of the Pite River is a raw force of nature. A wild, unregulated river that runs free – just as it has for thousands of years.

Here at Storforsen, nature sets the pace. And that’s exactly what makes the experience so extraordinary.
– It’s an incredible place that changes completely with the seasons. Truly something special, says Ken Hick, gazing out across the ever-changing scene.

Together with Johan Håll, he runs EXP Norrland, which took over the local café, Kaffestugan, and visitor information in 2024. They also organize a variety of activities in the area, such as snowmobile tours, fishing adventures, and torchlit evening hikes. They help maintain the reserve as well.

What they love most about working here is seeing the falls anew – through the eyes of the visitors.
– People are amazed. We’ve had guests who’ve been to Niagara Falls, but some say this is even more impressive in its own way, says Johan Håll.

That’s the word for it – impressive.

The Pite River begins near the Norwegian border and stretches 410 kilometres across Swedish Lapland. It is one of Sweden’s four national rivers, alongside Vindelälven, Kalix River, and Torne River.

Along its length, the Pite River is joined by several major tributaries and features more than two dozen rapids and waterfalls.
But none as mighty as this one: Storforsen is the largest unregulated rapid in Europe.

Find your own place

The total length of the falls is about five kilometres, with an elevation drop of 82 metres –60 of those in the most intense central stretch. Storforsen is a designated nature reserve and one of Norrbotten’s most visited destinations, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors each year.

Crowded? A tourist trap? Not at all.
The area is vast, with plenty of space to experience untouched nature – and to find a place of your own.

Wooden walkways and forest paths take you right up to the powerful waters. Along the way, you’ll pass Döda Fallet (“The Dead Fall”), a dramatic canyon lined with rock formations, giant’s kettles, and deep grooves carved by the river’s ancient flow. In the 1800s, timber was floated down this river, and parts of the old rapids were drained to improve the log-driving routes.

Spectacular

Today, only a trickle remains – creating a unique and beautiful bathing spot, complete with natural rock pools and high cliff jumps. Döda Fallet, along with the roaring rapid right next to it, creates a nature reserve unlike any other in Sweden.
– It’s spectacular in a way you don’t find anywhere else. Sure, other rivers churn and foam a little – but this, this only exists here, says Jens Hardegård, CEO of Hotell Storforsen, which is nestled where the river bends, overlooking the rapids.

Visiting the nature reserve is completely free and open to visitors all year round. There are several fireplaces where you can cook your own food, or you can visit one of the nearby restaurants. Hotell Storforsen offers a range of meals and amenities, and further up the river you’ll find the log-built café run by EXP Norrland – complete with a cozy fireplace and a menu full of northern specialties and classics.
– The burgers are a favorite. You can smell the fire and the food cooking as you walk down here. The reindeer stew is a close second, but burgers take the top spot, says Ken Hick.

The meat in those burgers comes from Johan Håll’s own farm – locally raised, prepared from scratch, and made with care.
– I think it’s important to offer something that feels homemade. It should be different here – not something you’d buy at a gas station. It should be made with love and care, says Lena Utterström, team leader at EXP Norrland.

And of course, waffles with cloudberry jam and whipped cream – a regional classic – are back on the menu, just as tradition demands.

Near Storforsen, there is also a souvenir shop.

The environment around Storforsen offers more than just wild water and scenic beauty – it’s also become an unlikely stage. In the dry parts of the old riverbed, sloping granite slabs form natural seating, perfect for concerts. Each year, well-known artists perform here – set against the backdrop of the roaring rapid, in front of crowds thousands strong.

Swimming, concerts, local cuisine, outdoor adventures – Storforsen offers something for everyone.

Therese Hardegård, general manager at Hotel Storforsen, sees it firsthand every day of the year: a place where people from all walks of life, both Swedish and international visitors, gather to witness one of nature’s great shows.
– It’s for everyone. One Friday evening in summer, it might be a group of teenagers swimming and laughing. At lunch the next day, it’s seniors grilling sausages by the fire.
It’s a magical place – in the middle of nowhere, she says with a smile.