Ristafallet Waterfall one of Sweden’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls

Ristafallet is often referred to as Sweden’s most beautiful waterfall, and it’s easy to see why. Surrounded by trees, this 14-meter-high and 50-meter-wide powerful waterfall tumbles over a drop in the Indalsälven river, which, at 430 kilometers, is also one of Sweden’s longest rivers. 

Ristafallet.

The volume of water going through the falls is impressive. While it’s at its peak in spring during the thaw,  I visited in September after a rainfall, and it was still a mighty sight. It’s one of those places you should definitely visit if you are passing the vicinity of Åre, or driving through the E14/E45 highways.

It’s a relatively quick stop, well worth the short time it takes to visit the waterfall or to stretch your legs if you are on a long-haul drive across Scandinavia.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Ristafallet Waterfall Hike & Map

This is a short walk through a campground and down to the riverside. The approach to the viewpoint is, however, relatively steep and potentially slippery, so caution is required.

How to get to the Ristafallet Trailhead and Parking

Located along road E14, a road that connects Sundsvall in Sweden to Trondheim in Norway, Ristafallet is just a short drive from the popular town and ski resort of Åre in Sweden, about 18 km east of Åre to be precise.

• Driving Directions: from E45, either from the north or from the south, turn toward Trondheim around Östersund. Keep driving on the E14 until the turnoff to the Ristafallet campsite here: 63.314389, 13.341494. Then it’s a short two-minute drive on a gravel road to the campsite.
• Parking: paid parking by the campsite entrance.
• Public Transport: There is a bus stop right in front of the turnoff for the Ristafallet Campsite, here. Bus 155/157 stops there. more info on ltr.se.

Note that there is an additional viewpoint on the opposite side of the falls here: 63.311793, 13.353176. It’s a slightly longer detour, but parking is free – though the views are better on the campsite side.

The Ristafallet campsite, access point to the Ristafallet waterfall.

The Ristafallet Trail and Viewpoint

From the parking area a trail leads downhill though the camping area, toward the Indalsälven river, which is hidden from view by the trees on the riverbanks. As you reach the trees, you will see a couple of paths going into different directions. You can take either one of those as they converge near the waterfall.

What the paths have in common is that the descent to the falls is relatively steep, it can be wet and slippery, and there are a lot of exposed roots you can easily trip on. So while the trail is short and technically easy, it makes up for it with the several ways you can trip and hurt yourself on the very solid rocks or exposed tree roots around the waterfall :). Jokes aside, you’d just need to watch your step as you walk down to the fall, and you should be fine.

As you reach the fall, the main viewpoint right next to them allows you to feel all of their power. You can get really close to it if you want to, so much so that you need to pay attention to still being safely away from its roaring, tumultuous waters. And, that close to the falls, the thundering sound is pretty much all you hear.

The waterfall is relatively small but rather powerful.

Main Viewpoint.

The path continues a little further downstream, where you also have an additional good view of the waterfall. From there, you can loop back to the campsite through another trail on the opposite side. If you are in for a longer walk, the path also continues downstream, along the river.

Ristafallet Photos and Photography Tips

In terms of compositions, I think there are two main viewpoints. One is right next to the waterfall, which is the main viewpoint. The second one is a little further down the trail, and, while the waterfall is farther away, it gives the option to include another little step of the waterfall in the foreground.

Both viewpoints, however, offer plenty of foreground choices.

In summer, Ristafallet should catch some good morning light, and at sunset, the background could provide some nice colors, provided the weather cooperates. So that makes an argument for spending the night at the campsite if you are there at the right time, and want to catch both sunrise/sunset. I’ll definitely do that the next time if I find myself in that area.

I can also imagine it would be a pretty epic sight in winter when the waterfall is frozen over.

Also, pretty much all of these photos were shot with a 14-24mm lens, on a full-frame body. The falls are quite big, and you can get really close. Plus, there are a lot of interesting rock formations that could be used as a foreground, so definitely bring your widest lens.

Where to stay

If you are traveling through Sweden or between Norway and Sweden, this would make for a great overnight stop, and you can stay at the Ristafallet campsite either in a van, a tent, or in one of their private cabins.

Additional Resources

• Here is the website of the Ristafallet Campsite and its waterfall.
• If you are in the area, you may also want to check out another waterfall on the Indalsälven river: Tännforsen, Sweden’s biggest Waterfall.