Komsafjellet: the short hike above Alta town
A DNT Green leg-stretcher from central Alta. 212 metres, 4 km round trip, 1 to 2 hours. Fjord view and the Hjemmeluft rock art site below.
Komsafjellet is the 212-metre hill above central Alta. 4 km round trip, 1 to 2 hours, DNT Green. The perfect leg-stretcher after landing at Alta airport. View over Altafjord and straight down onto the Hjemmeluft UNESCO rock art site.
Komsafjellet is the small hill directly above central Alta. 212 metres, family-friendly, and close enough to the town centre that you can walk to the trailhead from most hotels. The summit looks down on Altafjord and, directly below to the west, the Hjemmeluft UNESCO rock carving site. This is the hike to do on arrival day when your flight lands at midday and you want to move before dinner.
The honest grade
DNT Green. Marked path, modest gain, open views on the upper section. Suitable for children over 6 and for travellers who landed that morning. The upper section can be icy in shoulder season — use micro-spikes in October and April.
The route
Trailhead. Several options. The most used is from Bossekop via the signed path above the cemetery. There is also a Hjemmeluft-side approach that passes the rock art visitor centre. Both converge near the summit.
Ascent. Steady climb on a marked path through birch scrub. Open ground from 150 metres up. 45 to 60 minutes to the cairn.
Summit. Broad summit with fjord views, a flagpole, and benches. 20 to 30 minutes on top.
Descent. Same route or down the Hjemmeluft side if you want to end at the rock art visitor centre. 40 minutes.
Combine with the rock art site
The Hjemmeluft UNESCO site — carvings dating back roughly 7,000 years — sits at the base of Komsafjellet on the fjord side. Budget two hours for the visitor centre and the outdoor carvings path. Doing the hike and the rock art together makes a solid half-day.
Gear
- Walking shoes or trainers in summer. Hiking boots in shoulder season.
- Light waterproof.
- Water, snack.
- Micro-spikes in October, November, March, and April.
Fjellvettreglene applied
Rule 2: adapt the trip to conditions. Komsafjellet is the correct choice on a short, cloudy, or tired day. Rule 4: even on a Green, a waterproof is not optional in Finnmark.
Logistics
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trailhead | Bossekop or Hjemmeluft approach, central Alta |
| Parking | Street parking or Hjemmeluft visitor centre car park |
| Season | Year-round. Micro-spikes in shoulder season. |
| Drive from Alta airport | 10 minutes |
| Emergency | 112. Hospital in central Alta. |
Who should do Komsafjellet
Families, arrival-day travellers, anyone combining the hike with the Hjemmeluft rock art visit. Solid choice in poor weather when the higher peaks are off the table.
Who should skip it
Travellers with only one half-day in Alta who came for a real mountain — do Haldde instead.
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