Överkalix by the Kalix River – Nature, Trails and Culture

Överkalix offers several ways to shape a trip: the Kalix River in town, trails and viewpoints, as well as culture and activities in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Överkalix, you can make your choice based on whether riverside walks, outdoor activities or excursions to special destinations will define your stay.

River, town centre and viewpoints

The central part of Överkalix lies on a peninsula. The Kalix River, one of Sweden’s pristine and protected national rivers, flows through the town. The illuminated central riverside promenade, Strandpromenaden, runs along the river and borders directly on the town centre. There is also a skate park along the promenade. In this area, the riverfront and town centre are right next to each other.

Close to the centre, Brännaberget offers views of Överkalix, the Kalix River, Tallviksavan, Ängesån and the surrounding mountains. A road leads up the mountain, where there is a large car park. If you would like to include viewpoints in your travel plans, this is a specific place connected to the town and its river landscape.

Trails, nature and outdoor activities

On Grelsbyberget, trails and training routes lead to rest areas with views and information about the town and its surroundings. The mountain is easy to reach because it is close to the town. In the Laxforsberget Nature Reserve, a hiking trail runs from Jockfall to the summit through old-growth forest with ancient pines and deciduous woodland. There is also an older rest cabin on Laxforsberget.

Nearby, the Malungsberget Nature Reserve consists of three mountain peaks, extensive rocky areas and boulder fields with ancient pines. Several of these pines are more than 450 years old. The landscape here looks different from the riverside promenade or the view from Brännaberget: rocks, boulders and ancient trees define the surroundings.

Storlappberget Ski Centre offers well-groomed cross-country ski trails in winter and a paved roller-ski track during the snow-free season. There is also a 440-metre downhill run with a vertical drop of 90 metres. Operating conditions may vary; if you are planning a visit, check the current conditions in advance.

Near Överkalix, the 9-metre-high Jockfallet is the highest drop on the Kalix River. The Jockfall area offers opportunities for fishing, hiking and cycling. On the drive from central Överkalix to Jockfall, you cross the Arctic Circle. Salmon fishing is possible in the Kalix River and in the Ansvar-Polcirkeln and Ängesån fishing conservation areas. Before fishing, check the applicable rules and access conditions, as they may change.

You can also book a trip on a sauna raft on the Kalix River: while you sauna and swim, an experienced chef from River Rafters prepares dinner. Check the dates for this experience before your trip. Nearby, Jakobgården offers a sheep experience where visitors can feed the sheep and enjoy fika in the sheep pasture or farm shop. Here too, it is advisable to check operating dates in advance.

Other natural attractions in the area include Linafallet: the waterfall is 16 metres high and is described as the highest waterfall in Norrbotten. There is an accessible viewing platform. The footbridge is closed because of its poor condition; check the latest information before visiting.

Culture, local life and swimming

The present-day Överkalix Church was inaugurated in 1943. A chapel stood on the site as early as 1636. One special feature of the church is its stone baptismal font, made from local stone. The chapel’s history and the font’s material give a visit to the church a specific historical and local connection.

The swimming centre has a pool, showers, a sauna and changing rooms. Public swimming and bathing are intended for all age groups. If you are considering a visit to an indoor pool as well as outdoor excursions, you can include this option in your day’s plans.

In the village of Svartbyn, Holger’s Tractor Museum houses up to around 200 tractors and other historic machines. These include fire engines, trucks, crude oil engines, motorcycles, boat engines and chainsaws. Individual visitors can view icons and works of art at Sirillus if they contact the organisation beforehand.

Överkalix summer market traditionally takes place on the third weekend in July and is an important tradition for residents, returning visitors and other visitors. The programme may vary from year to year, so check the dates if the market is important to your trip.

Getting here and finding your way

Överkalix is accessible by car via the E10 and National Road 98. Länstrafiken Norrbotten operates bus services to Överkalix. For planning outdoor activities, the Överkalix Nature Map on Naturkartan provides detailed descriptions, maps, GPS data and contour lines.

The library in Överkalix Municipality has a local collection of books, maps and articles about the area. For genealogical research, the library in Överkalix Municipality also has material on Tornedalian families and provides access to the Swedish National Archives’ church records on its internet computers.

Discover more destinations: Lansjärv.

Back to the main travel overview: Överkalix.