Sautso Canyon & Power Station
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Port
Alta, Norway
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$209.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Discover the natural and manmade wonders that surround Alta. Considered the Grand Canyon of Northern Europe, Sautso Canyon is a powerful and inspiring landscape seven miles long. Its immense dam is one of the tallest arched dams in Norway, plunging 360 feet from top to bottom to hold back the Altaelva River.
Travel south across Finnmarksvidda, one of Norway's largest mountain plateaus and the home of Norway's Sami people. The plateau is filled with flowers and plants, birch trees, bogs and glacially-formed lakes. Venturing further into this stunning wilderness, you'll pass the sparkling Joatka Lakes and a few seasonal Sami communities (siidas) en route to Sautso.
The dam was built in 1981 amid much controversy. Visit both the Sautso Canyon and the Sautso Dam to learn about the original hydro plan and how it was eventually scaled down to save the charming surrounding farmlands and the Sami village of Maze. Watch a film that details the dam's construction, followed by a pleasant walk across the top of the structure itself.
You'll also pass the dam's original proposed construction site at Stilla -- the location of many protests during the early planning stage.
Head to a Sami village and step inside a traditional tent called a lavvu. Sit on reindeer skins around a small fire and enjoy a tasty snack of maize cake, dried reindeer meat, and coffee. Hear stories of Sami life and listen to the chant-like songs of the Sami called joik.
Enjoy the relaxing scenic panoramic drive back to Alta.
Notes:
Tour requires approximately one hour of walking. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, inclines, gravel, and steps. Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Dress warmly in layers with gloves, a scarf, and a hat; outer layer should be windproof and waterproof.