Explore Sweden’s waterfalls and discover some of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders. From the serene to the spectacular, Sweden’s waterfalls will delight, inspire and astound. What’s more, many waterfalls in Sweden have boardwalks to viewing points, making them more accessible.
Dotted along the length of the country, you’ll find a variety of accessible waterfalls in Sweden’s national parks and nature reserves. Year-round destinations: waterfalls change significantly throughout the year, depending on fluctuating water levels and the season. In winter, cascades typically transform into vertical sheets of ice, frozen in time – allowing you to walk under a waterfall or explore hidden caves that are normally out of reach.
As the warmer months beckon and spring floods burst forth, waterfalls are often at their most impressive. In summer, enjoy a spot of wild swimming or hiking, but remember to always take extra care near waterfalls as the terrain can be slippery. If you’re in a national park or nature reserve, be sure to follow the park rules, both for your own safety and to protect the biodiversity of these special environments.
Listen to the soothing – or invigorating – sound of water and take in the views.
Here is a selection of accessible waterfalls in Sweden, along with how to experience them, from north to south.
Enjoy the waterfall from the viewpoint above or from the pebble beach below at Silverfallet in Björkliden.
Photo: Håkan Stenlund/Swedish Lapland
A gentle 1.5-kilometre walk from the nearby village of Björkliden and 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle lies Silverfallet, one of Sweden’s most northerly waterfalls. Beautiful year-round, Silverfallet is a wild-bathing paradise during the warmer months, perfect for refreshing dips in the small pools that form along its undulating falls. Take your time, pause on a rock and watch the 30-metre-high waters flow past – but do take extra care as there is no protective fencing.
Also known as ‘Rakkasjohka’ in Sámi (meaning ‘love stream’), legend has it that you’ll be lucky in love if you say “I love you” in Sámi (“mon ráhkistan du”) by the falls.
Hällingsåfallet Waterfall in northern Jämtland, where a hiking trail follows the dramatic canyon before reaching the powerful falls.
Photo: Anne Adsten/JHT
Just off the iconic Vildmarksvägen route (literally ‘Wilderness Road’) you’ll find Hällingsåfallet, one of Sweden’s tallest waterfalls, plunging 40 metres into Sweden’s longest water-filled canyon, an awe-inspiring 800-metre-long gorge.
Experienced hikers will enjoy the medium-difficulty five-kilometre trail around the canyon, leading to the waterfall. Alternatively, walk the accessible 150-metre footpath from the parking area to reach the falls and take in the view – waterfall rainbows are a common sight in this magical landscape.
And if you’re a bird lover, you’re in luck, with birds of prey such as the merlin – a small falcon species – circling the skies.
Ristafallet is one of Sweden's largest waterfall. The water fall is 50 meters wide and 14 meters high.
Photo: Hans Strand / Folio
About 18 kilometres from Åre, Ristafallet is one of Sweden’s most famous waterfalls. It featured in the popular Swedish film “Ronia: The Robber’s Daughter”, based on Astrid Lindgren’s iconic book, and more recently in the Netflix series of the same name.
Although only 14 metres high, Ristafallet owes much of its impact to its unique 50-metre-wide flow, split in two by an islet in the Indalsälven River below.
Visit the islet for a guided cave tour when the waters freeze in winter. In spring and summer, fishing is popular both upstream and downstream. Follow one of the easy hiking trails and admire the cascades – depending on the season, anything from 100 to 400 cubic metres per second gushes past.
Combine your hike with a visit to nearby Ristafallet Camping & Café and enjoy views of the falls 24 hours a day.
With its 60 metres wide and 38 metres high waterfall, Tännforsen is one of Sweden's largest waterfalls and offers a spectacular experience for visitors.
Photo: Lukasz Warzecha/Epic Trails
At 60 metres wide, with a magnificent drop of approximately 38 metres, Tännforsen is considered Sweden’s largest waterfall. It’s certainly one of the most dramatic, particularly when the spring floods generate thunderous flows between 300 and 791 cubic metres of water per second.
Stand on one of the many vantage points in May and June and immerse yourself in the power of nature – you’re likely to see a rainbow or two in the spray. Thanks to the continuous humidity, fauna and flora thrive, with as many as 21 lichen species growing around the falls.
From June to August, follow the 30-minute loop from Tännforsen Tourist Station and tuck into a generous plate of waffles upon your return.
Njupeskär Waterfall is located in Fulufjället National Park in Dalarna. The waterfall is 93 metres, and the water falls completely free for 70 metres, which makes it one of Sweden's highest waterfalls.
Photo: Nisse Schmidt/Visit Dalarna
Set in Dalarna’s Fulufjället National Park, Njupeskär is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Sweden, despite being one of the tallest – 93 metres high, with a 70-metre plunge.
The two-kilometre Lavskrikeleden trail is accessible by wheelchair and starts from the park’s Naturum visitor centre. The steeper 3.9-kilometre Njupeskär loop (Njupeskärsslingan) is still considered relatively easy as it includes gravel paths and boardwalks.
After 1.5 kilometres, you’ll reach a rest stop with breathtaking views and a fire pit area. But beware, these are summer trails only, as they become very slippery in winter, so be sure to follow the park’s signs and safety regulations.
Experienced ice climbers may want to navigate the frozen waterfall from 1 December to 31 March.
Älgafallet is located in the northern part of Bohuslän on the border between Sweden and Norway.
Photo: Lukasz Warzecha/Westsweden.com
In Tanum, on the border between Norway and Sweden, you’ll find Älgafallet waterfall in the province of Bohuslän. At 46 metres high, Älgafallet is the region’s highest waterfall, flowing through the Enningsdalsälven River and forming a scenic boundary with Norway.
The best time to visit is during the wetter periods in spring and autumn, when the cascades are at their most powerful. During summer, the waters reduce to a small but magical trickle.
Cross the footbridge into Norway, just below the waterfall, and enjoy the striking landscape. If you’re an experienced walker, consider hiking stage 23 of the Bohusleden Trail, running between Nornäs and Vassbotten – Älgafallet is a key attraction on this 13-kilometre trail.
