Norwegian Scenic Route Andoya

Scenic road chapters

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Andenes

   Andenes sits on the northern tip of Andøya, the northernmost island in the Vesterålen archipelago, and it is where the Arctic Ocean begins to feel close. The town is small, with about 2,700 people, a harbour, a lighthouse and a collection of low houses on a flat spit of land, and its main claim to fame is whales. Just off the coast, the continental shelf drops steeply, bringing deep water close to shore, and sperm whales feed there in summer, so boat trips run daily from the harbour. The Whale Safari is a well-established business, and sightings are common, though never guaranteed.

   Read the complete Andenes write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Andenes is where the day begins. Next is Bleik.

2. 2. Bleik

   Bleik is a fishing village on the north-west coast of Andøya, the northernmost of the Vesterålen islands, and it is famous for two things: a long, white beach and a small, steep island just off it. The beach is wide and pale, with dunes behind and a sea that, in summer, glows an improbable turquoise, though the water is bitterly cold. The island, Bleiksøya, rises straight out of the sea like a loaf of dark bread, and in summer it is home to a huge colony of puffins, along with kittiwakes, razorbills and many other seabirds. Boat trips run from the village to see the puffins up close, and it is one of the great wildlife experiences in northern Norway.

   Read the complete Bleik write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Bleik comes up about 9 km into the recorded legs. Next is Bukkekjerka.

3. 3. Bukkekjerka

   Bukkekjerka sits on the west coast of Andøya, where the road runs close to the open sea and a short walkway leads out over the rocks to a viewing point. The name means something like the goat church, and the story behind it is nothing more than the shape of a rock that someone once thought looked like a church, with goats grazing nearby. The platform that now stands here, part of the scenic route programme, is a simple piece of design, set low in the landscape, with a place to sit and watch the sea. It is the sort of place where you do not need much to enjoy yourself: a flask, a windproof jacket and a quiet half hour.

   Read the complete Bukkekjerka write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 31 km into the recorded legs you reach Bukkekjerka. Next is Risoyhamn.

4. 4. Risøyhamn

   Risøyhamn is a small village on the eastern side of Andøya, set on a sheltered bay with a view over the Risøysundet strait, and it feels very different from the exposed western coast. The settlement is a scatter of fishermen's houses, boat sheds and a few shops, with a harbour that serves as a base for local boats. The Risøyhamn Church and the old trading post recall the days when the village was a centre of the herring trade, and the area is quiet and peaceful. Myre, about twenty kilometres away, is the nearest place with fuel and shops.

   Read the complete Risoyhamn write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Risøyhamn closes the day.