Alta Rock Art

At Alta, thousands of figures were pecked into the coastal rock over some five thousand years, from reindeer and bears to boats and hunting scenes, the largest concentration of prehistoric rock art in Northern Europe. A UNESCO site, it is seen on boardwalks winding over the carved rocks by the fjord at Hjemmeluft.

What you actually see

• The carvings - reindeer, elk, bears, boats and hunters pecked into the rock.
• The boardwalk trail - the walkways leading over the carved coastal rock.
• The layered ages - carvings at different heights marking the rising land over millennia.
• The museum - the exhibition explaining the art and the people who made it.

When to go

The snow-free months, when the outdoor carvings are visible and the boardwalks clear; in winter snow covers the rock. A dry, bright day makes the pecked figures easiest to read.

Honest expectations

The carvings are subtle, often picked out in red for visibility, so they reward patience and the museum's context more than a quick glance. It is far in the north, a destination in its own right. In winter the outdoor art is under snow, leaving only the indoor displays.

Nearby

Alta town and its striking Northern Lights Cathedral are close; the Finnmark plateau and coast spread around.