Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ANDØYA'S ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
Unless you leave Andøya by the seasonal ferry from Andenes to Gryllefjord (in itself a
lovely way to go), take the minor, lightly trafficked west coast road from Risøyhamn as
you head northwards. Designated a National Tourist Route, it offers magnificent coastal
panoramas as it threads along the shoreline. Returning by the Rv82, notice the giant hil-
locks of peat, extracted, dried and ready to be transported to garden centres around the
world.
To experience the route at the pace it deserves, hire a bike from Fargeklatten and ride
the coast as far as Sortland, where you can sling your bike on the bus for delivery back to
Andenes.
Andenes
pop 2815
The straggling village of Andenes, with its rich fishing history, is northern Norway's main
base for whale-watching and there are a host of other nature-based activities possible in
the vicinity. The town also has a lonely, end-of-the-road feel - stand on the windswept har-
bourside quay and stare out into the North Atlantic and you'll see what we mean. That
changes somewhat in summer when the seasonal ferry connects Andenes to Senja and the
town bustles with uncharacteristic activity.
Sights
Andøya Rocket Range
MUSEUM
( 76 14 46 00;
www.spaceshipaurora.no
; exhibitions adult/child Nkr125/50, virtual missions
Nkr350/175; 10am-6pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug, 9am-3pm Mon-Fri rest of year)
Located 1km south of the town entrance along the road to Bleik, this innovative space
centre has a wide-screen 16-minute movie and other exhibits about the aurora borealis
(rockets sent up from here aid in the study of this phenomenon) and Norway's role in space
research. To really get into the spirit, you can join a virtual mission (one hour to one hour
45 minutes) aboard the Spaceship Aurora and even send up a virtual rocket. Ring ahead to
book.
