Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BLEIK
A long, ash-white beach, one of several claimants to be Norway's longest, extends for al-
most 3km from the hamlet of Bleik.
Puffin Safari ( 908 38 594;
www.puffinsafari.no
)
, based in Bleik, does warmly
recommended, well-presented and informative daily 1½-hour
birdwatching boat trips
(adult/child Nkr350/200; 1pm & 3pm Jun-mid-August)
offBleiksøya,withsighting
of sea eagles guaranteed. You can also bring home dinner from their four-hour
deep-sea
fishing trips (adult/child Nkr500/200;
5pm Jun-mid-Aug)
.
Stave Camping
CAMPGROUND €
( 926 01 257;
www.stavecamping.no
;
camping Nkr75 per person, caravans Nkr180,
2-bed cabin with outside bathroom Nkr430, apt 450-850; late May-August)
Camp
at the water's edge overlooking the fjord or take one of the more sheltered set-back sites.
The day's exertions over, steep yourself in an ocean hot pool or sweat in the sauna.
Hinnøya
Administratively, Hinnøya, the largest island off mainland Norway, splits between the two
counties of Troms and Nordland. Contrasting with the islands to the south, it's mostly for-
ested green upland punctuated by snowcaps and deeply indented by stunning fjords. Off
Hinnøya'swestcoast,VesterålenisdividedfromLofotenbythenarrowRaftsundstraitand
even narrower, hugely scenic Trollfjorden, whose sheer walls plunge down to the water,
dwarfing all below.
HARSTAD
POP 23,250
On a hillside close to the northern end of Hinnøya, Harstad, the area's largest town, tech-
nicallytumbleswithinTromscounty.It'sasmallindustrialanddefence-orientedplace,full
ofdocks,tanksandwarehouses.Contrastingwithsomanytourism-'n'-fishingtownstothe
south, it has a certain purposeful bustle.
