Route 5 of 5
Melkevarden
At the far eastern end of Vadsø lies Melkevarden, a viewpoint 121 metres above sea level with traces of settlement from the Komsa culture around 9,000 years ago. On clear days you can see far up the Varangerfjord.
- Stops
- 1 stop
- Distance
- approx. 2.3 km one way
- Time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Start
- Ytrebyfjæra
- Finish
- The viewpoint (121 m above sea level)
Melkevarden
At Melkevarden, at the far eastern end of town, settlement has been recorded from the Komsa culture of the Early Stone Age, around 9000 BC to 3000 BC, and from the Late Stone Age, from 3000 BC to 2500 BC. The oldest finds from these ancient dwelling sites lie 30 to 50 metres above sea level; the sea is thought to have been much higher than it is today. The name Melkevarden probably comes from the Sami name Miel’kevarri, meaning «the breastbone mountain» or «the chest mountain». The landscape around Vadsø shows clear traces of extensive farming, which is striking when seen from Melkevarden.
Source: Vadsø museum – Ruija kvenmuseum