Alta
Alta. The name itself conjures images of snow-dusted landscapes, midnight skies ablaze with the ethereal green of the aurora borealis, and the crisp, invigorating air of the Arctic. This charming town nestled in northern Norway is a haven for aurora hunters.
Alta is more than just a place to see the northern lights. It’s a gateway to the Sami culture, with its rich history and traditions. You can visit the Alta Museum and learn about the Sami way of life, and even try your hand at snowshoeing or dog sledding.
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Credit: stein egil liland
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Credit: Sergei Merzliakov
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Credit: Tobias Bjørkli
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Credit: Steffen Rieck
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Credit: Barnabas Davoti
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Credit: Stig-Ove Pettersen
How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?
2%
There is a 2% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Alta area (forecast for 28 April 2025 at 2:32pm UTC)
Kp 1.33
The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.
- 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
- 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
- 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
- 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
Bz 4 nT
Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).
When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.
Density 1.30 p/cm3
Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm3).
A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.
The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.
Speed 371.7 km/s
Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.
Snow
-1°C Feels like -4°C
- High
- -1°C
- Low
- -10°C
- Precipitation: 100%
- Cloud cover: 95%
- Wind: 4 km/h
- Snow: 11mm
Moon
Waxing crescent
- Sun rises at: 3:14am
- Sun sets at: 9:34pm
- Moon rises at: 2:09am
- Moon sets at: 1:00am
Book an amazing adventure in Alta
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Northern Lights Hunt
4.0 (4)
4 hours From £162.40
This trip focuses on experiencing the northern lights and we spend up to 4 hours out looking for this fantastic phenomenon. We start the evening with a small lecture about the northern lights. This is to give you an understanding of how it occurs, then we look at the conditions for this particular evening. We use our local knowledge to find the best places to experience the Northern Lights dancing in the night sky. Our guides will try their best to find the northern lights for you, but as the lights are a natural phenomenon we cannot guarantee you will see them
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Northern Lights Hunt Bus Tour
No reviews
3 hours 30 minutes From £93.53
Bring your camera and come join us on this Northern Light adventure! We will use all our local knowledge to hunt down the fantastic Northern Lights on our tours! We will on this adventure visit the tundra and take you far out in the harsh wilderness. On the tour, we Will stop outside the fantastic Northern Light Cathedral for a photo. Our buses are big, warm and modern comfortable tourist buses. Welcome to Adventure With Us! Note! This is a bus tour, and time will be used looking for the Northern Lights or used for watching at the Northern lights:) Tours width 6 guests ore less is driven width car.
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Half Day Hike To Orvvosfossen Waterfall
5.0 (1)
4 hours From £117.42
You will start your adventure with a 30 min drive up to our historical Gargia Lodge. From the lodge we will embark on an adventure into the Gargia forrest. Along the 2km long trail you will get to breath in the crisp forrest air and maybe experience wildlife also. After around 1,5 hour we will reach the waterfall, a magnificent conductor, orchestrating its dance over the ancient rocks. On the riverbank we will enjoy a short rest with coffee, tea and snacks. The tour is 2km each way and it take about 1,5 hours to reach the waterfall. Please bring: Hiking shoes Mittens, hat and scarf
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4hr Dog Sledding Trip on Finnmarksvidda
5.0 (10)
4 hours From £235.59
Experience the magic of dog sledding in the breathtaking landscapes of Alta, Norway. Join us for an unforgettable adventure where you'll receive personalized training and command your own team of huskies, a truly immersive experience. Glide through pine forests and onto the stunning Finnmarksvidda plateau, feeling the exhilarating synergy between you and your loyal companions. Warm up with hot coffee and tea at the historic Gargia mountain lodge while our knowledgeable guides share insights into dog sledding and local history.
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Alta: 2 Hours Guided Adventure Cruise in Alta Fjord
5.0 (7)
2 hours From £87.88
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the enchanting Alta Fjord, where nature, history, and wildlife come together in a truly immersive experience. Enjoy captivating birdwatching and encounters with diverse wildlife, and if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of playful dolphins along the way. Discover the rich history of the region, from its vibrant past and historic mining legacy to its role during World War II. Leave behind the stresses of everyday life as you embrace the tranquility of nature, the excitement of wildlife encounters, and the beauty of the fjord’s breathtaking scenery.
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Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure
4.6 (96)
4 hours From £155.09
We offer a tour for a small group to enjoy togetherness and excitement while hunting for Northern Lights in the beautiful landscapes of the Altafjord. We arrange organized guided tours since 2007 and have the knowledge about how to find the Northern Lights if the conditions are there. On our tours you normally will have 80-90 % chance of seeing this spectacular view. Each tour is different, as we focus on finding the optimal place with the greatest chance of seeing the lights. We therefore sometimes have to drive quite far to find them, while sometimes we find them in the surrounding area. Necessary driving distance decide whether we establish a camp with a fire, or whether we serve hot chocolate and snacks at one of our short stops. While enjoying the great outdoors, we will share with you local stories about Norwegian way of living, local history from the Stone Age, Sami culture, reindeer-herding, 2nd World War and the modern society in Alta. We are normally back just over midnight.
Places to check out around Alta
Discover Restaurants, Campgrounds, Mountains and more…
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Alta River Camping
Campground
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Alta Strand Camping
Campground
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Aranya
Thai Restaurant
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Barila
Bar
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Bjørnfjell Mountain
Mountain
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Camp Alta
Campground
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Du verden
Gastropub
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Erica Mat Og Vinbar
Pizzeria
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Hjemmelufttoppen
Mountain
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Komsa
Mountain
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Peppes Pizza
Pizzeria
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Seiland nasjonalpark
National Park
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Skoddevarre
Mountain
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Solvang camping
Campground
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Uno Cafe
Café
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Wing Wah House
Chinese Restaurant
Other places in Norway
See also
Aurora ForecastPlanning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights Playlist
