Alta Rock Carvings – World Heritage

At Hjemmeluft by the Altafjord there are around 6.000 rock carvings – the oldest more than 7.000 years old, made between about 5000 BC and the year 0. Reindeer, moose, bears, boats and people tell of the hunters and fishers who lived here. The rock art of Alta has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, and the Alta Museum by the site shows its story.

Local knowledge: Some of Alta’s rock carvings were found by children. In 1978 two local boys were sitting on a rock at Amtmannsnes, another of Alta’s rock art sites, when they noticed strange lines on the rock surface. Looking closer, they saw an animal carved into the stone thousands of years ago. On 20 May 1978 the local newspaper Altaposten put the find on its front page, with a photo of the two boys beside a large elk or reindeer figure. Since 1985, Alta’s rock art has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The walk: wooden paths lead past the carvings – a trail of 1,2 km or a round of 1,9 km, easy and mostly wheelchair-friendly, though some parts are a bit steep; allow 1–2 hours. On the western part the carvings are painted red so you can see them; on the east side they are unpainted and harder to spot.

Season and tickets (2026): the outdoor area is open only when it is free of snow – usually from some time in May until the first snow in October or November. In winter the carvings lie under the snow, but the museum is open and shows carved stones indoors. Summer (1 May–30 September): adults NOK 175, children (7–16) NOK 50; winter: adults NOK 115. In summer the museum is open every day, from 1 June to 21 August 9–19.

Tips for campers: the car park is free and usually has plenty of room, also for motorhomes, though it is busy with buses from mid-June to mid-August – May or September is quieter. Follow the signs for “Alta Museum – World Heritage Rock Art Centre” from the E6. The museum café looks out over the Altafjord. Nearby in our guide: Nordlyskatedralen in the centre of Alta.