Alta River
Altaelva
A famous Norwegian salmon river. In summer, you can ride traditional long-tail wooden boats upstream, and in winter the frozen valley becomes a playground for snow activities.
The Alta River rises on the Finnmark Plateau, flows through the Sautso Canyon, and empties into Altafjord. It is famous for Atlantic salmon, and fishing rights have long been expensive. In summer, you can take a traditional long-tail wooden boat along the river around Sorrisniva and Tverrelvdalen to see rapids and canyon walls. In winter, the river freezes over. Ice hotels, huskies, and snowmobile routes line the valley. Every March, the Finnmark Race, the sled dog race, starts and finishes near Alta.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
- Trasti & Trine
- Northern Lights Cathedral
- Alta Church
- Altafjord
- Komsa
- World Heritage Rock Art Centre – Alta Museum
- Kåfjord Church