If you are planning an adventure holiday to Sweden or Scandinavia then whitewater rafting should definitely be on your bucket list. From the adrenaline pushing through your body as you enter the rapid and rewarding sauna for aching paddling muscles, to catching wild fish or just taking in the untouched nature as you drift through the calm stretches, rafting is an experience for the mind and body.
The majestic Torne River is the largest of Sweden’s national rivers and one of the last untouched water ecosystems in Europe. Originating from lake Torneträsk, the Torne river is fed by meltwater from the ancient mountains of Abisko National Park. It winds its way from the mountains, past Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi towards the border of Finnish Lapland before reaching Haparanda where it unites with the Gulf of Bothnia.
The river rafting experience is so much a challenge for your body and mindset, as it is an adventure that brings you close to nature and local culture and history. The guides are knowledgable and as you let your shoulders rest during the calm stretches, they share their knowledge about wild animals or rare plants and trees in the local area. They have a wealth of historical anecdotes and will make you a traditional river rafters’ lunch in the outdoors, over the open fire.
There is nothing better than the restorative heat of the sauna as you return back at the hotel after the rafting tour, preferably with a cold local beverage and some reindeer jerky to snack on.
With over four decades’ experience, we’re happy to share our tips on picking the best destination for your rafting adventure:
Before the invention of modern vehicles, the rivers were the main transportation routes through areas like Swedish Lapland, and Jukkasjärvi has a river rafting tradition stretching back at least 400 years. Important goods and raw materials were transported up and down the river in long wooden boats. Without modern equipment, the cold water, strong currents, and ever-changing water depth made the Torne River a dangerous place that required great skill that was passed through generations.
Icehotel is in its fourth decade running river rafting tours on the Torne River and is one of the most experienced activity companies in the area. In the 1970s, entrepreneur and founder of what was to become Icehotel arrived in Jukkasjärvi for the first time. He was spell-bound by the unexplored opportunities that Torne River and Jukkasjärvi presented, and before long he introduced a river rafting center – the first of its kind in Europe.
– Around 5,000 to 6,000 people came here in the summer for rafting, fishing, and canoe paddling. We had 30 inflatable boats and made several tours along Torne River every day. It was a success.
The Jukkasjärvi Homestead and inn grew to become ICEHOTEL – but that’s a whole other story, that you can read about here.
520 km (190 km of which constitutes the Swedish-Finnish border)
388 m / s
10 degrees C
2-4 (5 at high water flow)
June-September
