How to Visit Silverfallet Waterfall Near Abisko, Sweden (+ Map)
If you’ve been on my blog over the years, you will know that I have a thing for waterfalls. Or any flowing body of water, for that matter. So when I am traveling somewhere, I always make it a point to see if there are any waterfalls in the area and Abisko was no exception.
I haven’t managed to stop at Silverfallet Waterfall near Abisko on previous trips, but I finally had a chance to stop by on my recent autumn road trip. And I highly recommend everyone passing through the area to do the same!
Quick Abisko Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Abisko last minute, be sure you have hotels and tours booked ahead of time. Below are some of my top picks:
🇸🇪 Best tours and activities in Abisko:
- Northern lights chase around Abisko Nat’l Park (best aurora tour I’ve ever taken!)
- Day trip to Narvik, Norway (get to see the Norwegian fjords!)
- Spend the day at the ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi (includes transport)
🛌 Top hotels and lodging in Abisko:
- Abisko Mountain Lodge (nicest place in Abisko; located in the village)
- STF Abisko Turiststation (in the national park, has an on-site restaurant and a variety of rooms)
- Abisko Guesthouse & Activities (has budget options; located in the village)
🚗 Planning to travel around Sweden independently? Find and compare the cheapest rental car rates here!
In this guide, I will give some quick details about Silverfallet Waterfall, how to visit from Abisko, and some tips for your stop. This waterfall does not involve a lengthy hike and can be visited within 20 minutes… so it is a must for every itinerary!
If you have any questions about visiting Silverfallet Waterfall from Abisko, Sweden, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!
About Silverfallet Waterfall
Silverfallet, also known as Silver Falls, is a waterfall featuring multiple cascades and situated near Björkliden, a renowned ski area in Swedish Lapland.
And while Björkliden may not be on a lot of people’s travel radar, Abisko does tend to be and it is around 10 minutes from Abisko village (and an even shorter distance from STF Abisko Turiststation).
The waterfall sits at the very end of the Rakkasjohka River, before it flows into the vast Lake Torneträsk. Rakkasjohka actually means ‘love stream’ in Sámi, so you will see some love locks on the bridge that I discuss in the next section.
There are several small cascades along the way until you reach the final drop that reaches the lake. This drop is around 30 meters (about 100 feet) and is located in a lush gorge.
How To Use This Map
You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).
How to Visit Silverfallet from Abisko
Silverfallet is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Abisko village and it takes around 9 minutes to drive there. If you’re staying at STF Abisko Turiststation, the distance is a few minutes shorter.
Once you start curving around the lake, you will see a parking lot on the right-hand side that looks like this. There is also a sign saying ‘Rakkasjohka’ that will be behind you once you stop in the parking lot. The parking lot has a large ‘P’ on a blue sign (it will not have individual spaces).
After you get out of your car and lock up, you can make your way backwards to the waterfall. You will go to the left-hand side of the road on the trail. Once you get down to the stream, you can go either right or left. The right takes you under the road and up a slight incline. There are some small tiers going up, but nothing substantial. It is worth it for a view over the lake, however.
But the main waterfall is to the left of the road. There is a rocky trail through the birch forest. If you keep going down on it (it is not steep, but can get muddy and slippery if conditions are wet), you will eventually see a bridge crossing the stream. This is where the largest cascade of Silver Falls is! If you keep going down, you can reach Lake Torneträsk.
Be sure not to just go down and see the main cascade, on the other hand. The best thing about Silverfallet is all the small waterfalls you see along the way! You can even swim in some of the pools where the stream is weaker (at your own discretion).
When is the best time to visit Silverfallet?
Since I went on my autumn trip to Abisko, there was no one there. I visited twice. But I suspect there will be some people during the summer months.
During winter, the falls freeze and the conditions along the trail become more dangerous. I am not sure if it would be worth the journey in winter (but I will stop in the future and check it out for myself and let you know for sure).
How long do you need at Silverfallet?
I would say an hour maximum. If you just want a few photos, you can get down to the main waterfall within 5-10 minutes of parking and back up quickly. But the small waterfalls along the way are worth a little bit of time.
Do you have any questions about visiting Silverfallet near Abisko? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
