Altappen lies to the southeast of the city of Luleå, about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the mainland fishing village of Lövskär.

[3] The yacht club facility can accommodate 40 visiting boats, and has a restaurant and sauna that are open to the public.

The clubhouse is the base for keel boat racing, and draws sailors from other parts of Sweden and from abroad.

[4] The Altappens steam sawmill was built in 1871 with seven cutting frames, operated by the New Gellivara Company under English management.

The power for this operation, including the foundry, machine shop, forge and carpenter's workshop, was provided by a steam engine fueled with wood chips and sawdust from the sawmill.