Andøya National Scenic Route
A national scenic route along the west coast of Andøya in the Vesterålen islands, ending at Andenes, one of Norway's top whale-watching destinations.
The Andøya National Scenic Route follows the west coast of Andøya from Bjørnskinn to Andenes at the northern tip of the island. It is about 58 km long and is one of the northernmost of Norway's 18 national scenic routes. The road is squeezed between steep mountain walls and the open sea, and it runs almost along the shoreline all the way. Along the way, the Bukkeskjera rest area has a striking designed viewing platform, toilets and a campfire spot, and it is a popular place to watch the midnight sun and the northern lights. Next come the seaside hot springs at Stavøy, the white-sand Bleik beach and Bleiksøya (Puffin Island), as well as the Andøya Space Center's science museum, the Aurora Spaceship. The route ends at Andenes, where you can join a whale-watching boat trip or take a summer ferry to Senja. The drive takes about an hour without stops, so it suits a slower pace with one or two nights of stay. The road is open year-round, but watch for strong winds and blowing snow in winter. The Arctic weather changes quickly, so be aware of swell at coastal viewpoints. If you arrive from Lofoten or southern Vesterålen, you can enter Andøya via the Sortland Bridge. Petrol stations and supermarkets on the island are concentrated around Andenes and Risøyhamn. Accommodation in the whale-watching season in summer must be booked in advance.