Glösa Älgriket

About the museum

Glösa Älgriket is a visitor centre in Alsen in Jämtland, next to the many-thousand-year-old rock carvings by Glösabäcken. In the stone slabs, people in the Stone Age carved more than sixty figures, mainly animals. Some have antlers on their heads or shapes inside the body, and a few figures are not animals at all.

The site tells the story of life in the Mesolithic, when hunters and gatherers lived in Jämtland and the elk was central to survival. The museum consists of an area with several buildings, including the Älghallen with replicas and interpretations of Stone Age finds, the Glöshallen and a reconstruction of a winter dwelling, the hyddan (hut). The Älgklanens viste (Elk Clan’s dwelling) tries to show the everyday life of the hunter-gatherers as closely as research allows, and nearby there is a system of trapping pits with 91 pits along five kilometres.

Glösa Älgriket is owned by Alsens hembygdsförening (Alsen Local Heritage Society). The site offers guided visits, school programmes, walks and activities for groups, and a café is open in summer.

Highlights

• Rock carvings with more than sixty figures at Glösabäcken
• Älghallen with replicas and interpretations of Stone Age finds
• Reconstructed winter dwelling, the hyddan
• System of trapping pits with 91 pits along five kilometres
• The Älgklanens viste and hiking trails

Permanent exhibitions

• Älghallen – A puzzle of replicas and interpretations of Mesolithic finds that show life in Jämtland during the Stone Age.
• Hällristningarna vid Glösabäcken – More than sixty incised figures in the stone slabs, mainly animals, carved by the people of the Stone Age.

Operated by

Alsens hembygdsförening

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no charge for visiting the Älghallen and the site on your own; coffee and souvenirs can be bought. Prices for booked visits and activities are stated on the website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

You can drive by car all the way up to the Älghallen (gate and barrier, which are not locked). It is not possible to reach the carvings by wheelchair, but a camera shows them in real time if needed. A disabled toilet is available in the Älghallen when staff are present. Guided tours are given in Swedish or English and can be adapted to easy Swedish or easy English; visits are adapted for people with neuropsychiatric disabilities (NPF) and intellectual disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Activities for children and young people, school programmes and camps; groups can try bow shooting, spear throwing and prehistoric crafts.

Getting there & parking

From Östersund: drive west on the E14, turn right at Kingsta towards Nälden and continue about 18 km. From the west: turn left in Mörsil towards Alsen and continue about 20 km. You can also walk here along St Olav’s Way (S:t Olavsleden).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café during summer with coffee bread and simpler food, prepared at Wångens Wärdshus; souvenirs are sold. Larger meals can be ordered for groups.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Companies and groups can book visits, walks, team-building and lectures; simple conference equipment is available.

Plan your visit