Lillpite: Village History in the Lillpiteälven Valley

The settlement of Lillpite stretches along the valley of the Lillpiteälven. The riverside landscape and village history give the area a distinct character: here, you can explore historic routes, agricultural heritage and present-day leisure activities together. If you are considering a stay in Lillpite, you can focus your search on the subjects that interest you most – such as history and cultural heritage or activities at Stortjärn.

Village History and Historic Routes

Written sources show that Lillpite was an established village at the beginning of the 16th century. Gustav Vasa’s land register of 1543 lists eleven farms in Lillpite. The 1543 entry offers a glimpse of the village at the time, with its eleven farms. If you explore the village centre, you can use its agricultural history as a starting point for a visit to Legdgården.

The Lillpiteälven is also part of the area’s history. In the past, sailing boats could navigate the river as far as Storforsen in Lillpite. There was a mill and a sawmill at the rapids. At Storforsen, the former waterway met local crafts and industry. If you are interested in the history of the river valley, this combination of rapids, mill and sawmill offers a tangible way to explore the area.

The Silvervägen offers another historical point of reference: the route ran from Piteå via Lillpite, Keupan and Ersträsk to Gråträsk. The sequence of places shows how Lillpite was part of a regional connection. The early village history, the river and the Silvervägen can be combined as three distinct themes for a history-focused visit.

Cultural Heritage at Legdgården

Legdgården, a local heritage farm that also includes a power station, is located in the centre of Lillpite. Examples of the crafts practised by the farming community are displayed there. The farm therefore offers a tangible starting point if you are interested in everyday history and traditional crafts.

Cultural connections extend beyond the farm: places in Lillpite can be linked to Sámi settlement and land use. These include archaeological remains and other cultural heritage sites. A visit to Legdgården can therefore be combined with a look at the area’s older cultural history. For information on Sámi heritage, ask about specific sites and local rules.

Selma’s Café is a summer café at Legdgården. It complements a visit to the local heritage farm during the relevant season. Check the current opening days before your visit.

Fishing and Evening Lighting

Put-and-take fishing is available at Stortjärn. The facilities there are adapted for accessibility and can be used by people with reduced mobility. If you want to fish at Stortjärn, you can plan the lake as a destination in its own right. The accessible facilities are particularly worth noting for people with reduced mobility; check the current terms of use before setting out.

The Elljusspår is lit in the evening: the lights are switched on at the ski lodge and remain on for one hour. If you want to plan around this time window, check local information before setting out. The ski lodge is therefore an important landmark for an evening walk along the illuminated trail. Plan for the hour of lighting to start from the actual switch-on time.

Lillpite can thus be explored through a range of interests: the river valley and its historic use, early village history, the cultural heritage at Legdgården or fishing at Stortjärn. For a stay in Lillpite, choose a hotel that suits the places you plan to visit, and check its location for access to Legdgården or Stortjärn.

Discover more destinations: Storsund, Rosvik, Gråträsk, Sikfors, Altersbruk, Norrfjärden, Koler, Piteå.

Return to the main travel overview: Piteå.