Bredsel by Storforsen

Bredsel lies at the foot of Storforsen on the Piteälven River. The nature reserve shapes your stay with rapids, forest and hiking trails; museums and other traces of culture also tell the story of work on the river and in the forests. If you are looking for a hotel in Bredsel, you can use the area’s connection to nature and culture as a guide for your plans. The landscape, wildlife and history give your visit different points of focus.

Storforsen: Rapids and nature reserve

Storforsen extends over 5 kilometres and has a total drop of 82 metres. These two measurements describe different dimensions: the length of the rapids and their overall elevation change. The nature reserve was established on 1 November 1971 and expanded in 1997.

There are numerous glacial potholes around Döda fallet, formed by stones, water and friction. Döda fallet came into being when the old riverbed was drained. Rock surfaces smoothed by water and wild gorges cut into the bedrock also define this place.

The nature reserve has a primeval-forest-like riverside forest with a rich variety of plants and wildlife. Otters and black-and-white dippers live in the Piteälven River within the nature reserve. The descriptions of the forest and river add two further aspects of the natural environment to the picture of the rapids.

Trails and getting around locally

The nature reserve has wooden boardwalks and hiking trails. Large parts of the area are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Inside the barrier, parking spaces for visitors with a special parking permit for people with reduced mobility are closer to the rapids.

Upplevelseskogen Bredselsberget is an easy-to-walk nature trail. From higher up on Bredselsberget, you can enjoy a view of Storforsen. There is also a shelter on the mountain, as well as barbecue areas with benches and windbreaks.

The hotel and campsite are located right by Route 374; the nature reserve is signposted from there. There is also a large car park in Storforsen.

Museums, cultural heritage and events

The Forestry and Log-Driving Museum offers insights into the everyday lives and working methods of forestry workers and log drivers in the past. The Forestry Museum opened in 1972 and covers the development of forestry up to mechanisation in the 1950s. The Log-Driving Museum opened in 1992 and focuses on the river’s importance for transporting and floating loose timber.

Storforsen’s cultural heritage includes charcoal kilns, tar kilns, hut foundations and huts used by forestry workers and log drivers, as well as wood and stone crushers and excavated channels. Storforsens kapell also brings culture and landscape together: a panoramic window overlooking the mighty rapids serves as the altarpiece. The municipality of Älvsbyn offers wedding ceremonies there. To visit Storforsens kapell, contact the reception at Hotell Storforsen.

Events also follow different rhythms: a cultural day is held in Storforsen every year. Bredsels bygdeförening holds Byadagen every two years, in early August. The two events therefore differ both in how often they take place and when they are held.

Local baking and seasonal refreshments

At Bredsels bagarstuga, Mjukkaka and other breads are often baked at certain times of the year. In summer, Kaffestugan in the nature reserve serves meals, coffee, pastries and ice cream every day. Baking in Bredsel and Kaffestugan’s seasonal offerings are different ways for travellers to include local baking traditions and food in their plans alongside nature and culture.

Discover more destinations: Älvsbyn, Vistträsk, Vidsel

Go to the main travel overview: Älvsbyn.