Bredsel at Storforsen: Nature, River History and Culture

Bredsel lies at the foot of Storforsen on the Piteälven River. If you are interested in river landscapes, protected nature, and the history of work in the forest and on the water, you will find a range of topics to explore on your trip. The nature reserve showcases the landscape and its wildlife; museums and cultural traces tell the story of forestry and log driving.

Storforsen: River Landscape in the Nature Reserve

Storforsen stretches for five kilometres and has a total drop of 82 metres. The nature reserve was established on 1 November 1971 and expanded in 1997. The reserve has wooden boardwalks and hiking trails; large areas are accessible to people with reduced mobility. The accessibility information applies to large parts of the area, not every individual trail.

The natural environment includes a primeval-forest-like riverside forest with a rich variety of plant and animal life. Otters and black-and-white dippers live in the Piteälven within the nature reserve. Along with the rapids, these species and the riverside forest give the river area its own distinctive natural character.

Döda fallet and the Shapes Carved by Water

There are numerous glacial potholes around Döda fallet, formed by stones, water and friction. The landscape also features rock surfaces smoothed by water and wild gorges cut into the bedrock. Döda fallet was formed when the old riverbed was drained. Different traces of the river’s history can therefore be seen side by side here: smoothed rock, gorges and glacial potholes, as well as the drained riverbed.

Getting Around and Accessibility

Storforsen is located at a junction off Route 374 and has a large car park. The hotel and campsite are right by the road; the nature reserve is signposted from there. Inside the barrier, parking spaces for visitors with a special parking permit for people with reduced mobility are closer to the rapids.

For another view of Storforsen, Bredselsberget offers a nature and culture experience. Upplevelseskogen Bredselsberget is an easy nature trail; higher up on Bredselsberget, you can enjoy a view of Storforsen. There is also a shelter on Bredselsberget, as well as barbecue areas with benches and windbreaks. The nature trail, viewpoint and these facilities offer a different perspective on the area from the river landscape at Storforsen.

Forestry, Log Driving and Cultural History

The Skogsbruksmuseet in Storforsen opened in 1972. It presents the development of forestry up to mechanisation in the 1950s. The Flottningsmuseet opened in 1992 and explores the river’s importance for transporting and floating loose timber. The Skogsbruks- and Flottningsmuseum offers insights into the everyday lives and working methods of forestry and log-driving workers in the past. Together, the museum exhibits shed light on work in the forest and transport on the river.

The cultural environment of Storforsen includes charcoal-burning mounds, tar kilns, hut foundations, huts used by forestry and log-driving workers, wood and stone crushers, and excavated canals. These many traces supplement the museum exhibits with tangible examples of the former working environment.

Storforsens kapell also connects architecture with a view of the river: a panoramic window overlooking the rapids serves as the altarpiece. Älvsbyn Municipality offers weddings at the chapel. To visit Storforsens kapell, contact the reception at Hotell Storforsen.

Local Traditions and Seasonal Offerings

Bredsels bygdeförening holds Byadagen every two years in early August. A cultural day takes place in Storforsen every year. The two events therefore differ both in frequency and in the stated timing of Byadagen. Mjukkaka and other breads are often baked at Bredsels bagarstuga at certain times of the year.

Kaffestugan in the Storforsen Nature Reserve serves meals, coffee, pastries and ice cream daily in summer. This seasonal service complements the area’s nature and culture offerings. Bredsel can thus be explored through several themes: the scale and landscape of Storforsen, the nature of the reserve, the distinctive formations around Döda fallet, and the history of forestry and log driving.

Discover more destinations: Älvsbyn, Vistträsk and Vidsel.

Return to the main travel overview: Älvsbyn.