The Kaitum River (Kaitumalven) is a right-hand tributary of the Kalix River in Norrbotten County, in the far north of Sweden.
The Kaitum River has a total length of about 150 km, including its source rivers. Its two main source rivers, Tjäktjajåkka and Kaitumjåkka, flow into the western end of the 5 km² large lake Padje-Kaitumjaure (Upper Kaitumjaure).
The source of the Tjäktjajåkka lies west of the Tjäktja Pass and west of the Kebnekaise massif, near the Norwegian border. The Tjäktjajåkka flows southward to the Kaitumjaurestugorna, where it empties into Padje-Kaitumjaure. The long-distance hiking trail Kungsleden runs along its shore.
The Kaitum River flows eastward through a chain of lakes, including Padje-Kaitumjaure, Kaska-Kaitumjaure (Middle Kaitumjaure) (14 km²), and Vuolep Kaitumjaure (Lower Kaitumjaure) (15 km²). It continues in an east-southeast direction and finally empties into the Kalix River, west of the European Route E10 near Lappeasuando.
The Kaitum River is still free of hydroelectric power plants. It is a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.
