Holiday apartment in Älvsbyn – Storforsen, nature and culture

Älvsbyn is situated on a river, between forested mountains. The surrounding area features wide-open spaces, ancient forests, open countryside, lakes, mountains and river landscapes. There are 17 nature reserves in Älvsbyn Municipality.

Nature and water

At the Storforsen Nature Reserve, visitors can experience the largest rapid in the Nordic region at close range. Storforsen is an unregulated rapid with a total length of 5 kilometres and a total drop of 82 metres; it is considered Europe's largest unregulated rapid. Boardwalks in the Storforsen area also enable people with limited mobility to reach the entire waterfall.

Döda fallet at Storforsen was formed in connection with historical facilities for timber rafting. Its surroundings contain potholes formed by stones, water and friction. Storforsen's trail network offers mountain-biking, trail-running and hiking routes between Storforsen and Brudforsen along the Piteälven, and is open to everyone.

Forests and trails

The Rackberget Nature Reserve is home to pine trees that can be up to 500 years old. Rackberget is located near Älvsbyn and offers views over the Piteälven valley as well as rare plants growing on beautiful rocky outcrops. A hiking trail leads to fire pits and rest areas. In the Storberget Nature Reserve, a trail passes through ancient forest to a summit with far-reaching views; the area is easiest to visit in summer and autumn.

In Älvsbyn, fishing is available in both still and flowing waters. Information about the required fishing permits and points of sale is available.

Culture and history

The Gas Station Museum in Älvsbyn presents Sweden's largest exhibition of petrol stations from the 1920s to the 1960s. Almost 40 church cottages have been preserved in Älvsbyn's Kyrkstad, most of them built in the 19th century. Älvsbyn's church cottages can be explored on foot; a digital way to experience life in the church town is also available.

Excavations in Älvsbyn have uncovered traces and unique finds showing that hunter-gatherers lived here as early as 7,000 years ago. The remains of a short-lived mining settlement are preserved in Laver. The first miners moved into the settlement, later designated a model settlement, in 1936. Visitors can see former roads and squares, house foundations and several information boards there.

Laver can be reached via Road 94 between Älvsbyn and Arvidsjaur: At the “Laver” attraction sign, turn north; after approximately 12 kilometres, turn north again at another sign onto a smaller road leading to the former settlement.

At the Bagerimuseet, groups can book an appointment in summer to bake the historic “10-öre cake” and then taste the freshly baked bread with butter, cheese and drinks.

Summer and winter

Kanisbacken offers a family slope, more challenging descents, a snow park with jumps and rails, off-piste skiing and cross-country ski trails. The Kanis recreational area is used for hiking and berry picking in summer; it also has barbecue areas, the Canis restaurant and Kanisbacken campsite.

Also make sure that the stated conditions suit your desired period and your own plans. This allows the entries to be compared on the basis of the same points; the decisive information is that expressly stated on the respective offer page. Taking an additional look at the applicable terms can clarify which services are actually included and which costs are listed separately.

Älvsbyn, Vidsel, Bredsel and Vistträsk.

For the higher-level travel overview: Norrbotten.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Piteå, Boden, Arjeplog, Överkalix.