Storforsen rapid

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Today is day 6 of our roadtrip through Scandinavia and it is quite an impressive day. We still follow the E45. We drive many kilometers without facing any oncoming traffic nor villages. Along our way to Finland we visit the very impressive rapid Starforsen, we meet wild deers on the E45 and we cross the Arctic circle.

Wild along the E45

While heading to Jokkmokk, the capital city of Swedish Lapland, we face a lot of wild animals. A group of deers blocks every now and then the main road (E45) by standing in the middle of it. The animals are not extremely shy. When you hit the brakes in time and drive very slowly towards the animals you might get a chance to observe them for a little while.

Deers along the E45. © Travel photography Ilse

Storforsen is a rapid in the Pite River in Swedish Lapland. It’s Northern Europe’s largest rapid and it is truly impressive. A real must see when you’re traveling through North-Sweden. When following the E45 you can turn right to road number 374 and turn right again at the Storforsen hotel to reach the Storforsen nature reserve. There is a nice parking area from where you can walk right into the Storforsen nature reserve.

Starforsen © My Little Travel Stories

At Storforsen you find many wooden walkways, which take you very close to the rapid. The amount of water breaking down is very impressive. The whole area around the rapid is equally impressive. The main river used to run slightly west from it’s current flow. The old riverbed is still visible and has turned into a popular space to sunbathe or to play around an into the water.

Starforsen rapid, Swedish Lapland. © My Little Travel Stories

The average flow of the rapid is 250 m³/s. It stretches over a distance of 5 km in which it drops 82 meters. The flow increases during spring when smelting water joins the river. The flow can then increase to 800 m³/s!

Starforsen rapid, Swedish Lapland. © My Little Travel Stories

It’s hard to find words to describe this beautiful place. I’m amazed by the powerful force of nature. It’s something so wild and serene at the same time. I could spend here all day and I would certainly recommend to visit the Starforsen rapid sometime.

The Arctic Circle

We continue our road along the E45 and not far away from Jokkmokk, the capital of Swedish Lapland, we pass the Arctic Circle! Passing the Arctic Circle without noticing is not that easy since there is a huge sign which tells you that you’re passing the Arctic Circle.