Bleik: Fishing Village, Bird Cliffs and Historic Farmsteads

Bleik is a fishing village where the landscape and human activity meet along a coast shaped by the Norwegian Sea. The village combines a distinctive coastal landscape with an old, closely clustered settlement. The birdlife off Bleik is also one of the defining experiences: a puffin safari takes visitors to the bird cliffs of Bleiksøya in a traditional fishing boat. Puffins, kittiwakes and several other seabird species nest there.

Coast and Bird Cliffs

Bleikstranda lies immediately north of Bleik. The sandy beach is about 2.5 km long and has white sand. Bleiksøya can be seen offshore from there. The island lies west of Bleik and, together with the adjacent islets and skerries, is protected as a nature reserve. Bleiksøya is home to one of Norway’s largest puffin colonies. Bleikstranda is also considered a suitable place to photograph the Northern Lights or the midnight sun. This stretch of coast therefore offers a variety of subjects: beach and sea, the protected islands and the bird colony.

Trails and Views Around Bleik

The 9 km Kyststien trail runs from Bleik to Stave. A route to Måtinden can also be started in Bleik. The most-used route up the mountain starts at Baugtua on the FV976 between Stave and Bleik; there is a large car park there. These two descriptions offer different reference points for planning, rather than forming a single route.

The summit of 408 m-high Måtinden offers views of dramatic mountain peaks, white sandy beaches, idyllic islands and the open sea. Andøya also offers opportunities for kayaking, allowing you to experience the island from the sea. Cyclists can also consider the signposted Andøya Scenic Route, which is part of Norwegian National Cycle Route 1.

The Bleikmorenen Natural Area

The Bleikmorenen lies southwest of Bleik. The area is protected as a nature reserve because of its special Quaternary geological value. Several trails run through it, and the area is also important for outdoor activities. Those wishing to focus their trip mainly on nature and outdoor pursuits will find different starting points in the Bleikmorenen and along the Kyststien. The view from Måtinden and the birdlife at Bleiksøya offer further distinct highlights.

Historic Farmsteads and Village History

Bleik is shaped by more than just its coastline. The village’s old buildings are clustered on a farm mound dating back to around AD 600. This preserved, compact group of buildings makes Bleik one of Norway’s few villages of this kind. The village also retains the traditional, closely grouped farmstead layout typical of a self-sufficient village. Bleik is part of Andøy’s “Fotefar mot nord” project.

This village layout offers a different perspective on Bleik from its coastal and nature experiences: rather than individual viewpoints, the focus here is on the arrangement and character of the preserved buildings. If you enjoy combining different interests on holiday, you can make the village’s history a focus in its own right, alongside trips to the sea, outdoor trails or birdwatching.

Choose Bleik for Your Holiday

When choosing a holiday apartment in Bleik, you can consider which aspects of the village matter most for your trip: the compact farmstead layout, the nearby beach, trails and viewpoints, or the protected islands off the coast. This can help you balance cultural discoveries with days focused on nature and the coast when planning a holiday together, without having to approach every experience in the same way. The destinations mentioned here offer practical reference points for choosing where to stay; the right accommodation depends on which of these interests is most important for your trip.

Discover More Places

If you’d like to add more village pages to your plans, you can also find Skarstein and Nordmela here.

For the broader travel overview: Andøy.