By train in Norway
From the Bergen line. Photo: Rune Fossum
The Norwegian railway network stretches from Kristiansand in the south to Bodø, above the Arctic Circle. It is even possible to travel by train to Narvik, which is connected to the Swedish railway network. The Norwegian railway network is more than 4,000 kilometres long, with a total of 775 tunnels and more than 3,000 bridges. The most famous routes are the Bergen line and the Flåm line, although most of the routes go through changing, scenic countryside, deep forests, mountains, and lakes and fjords.
The Norwegian railway network stretches from Kristiansand in the south to Bodø, above the Arctic Circle. It is even possible to travel by train to Narvik, which is connected to the Swedish railway network. The Norwegian railway network is more than 4,000 kilometres long, with a total of 775 tunnels and more than 3,000 bridges. The most famous routes are the Bergen line and the Flåm line, although most of the routes go through changing, scenic countryside, deep forests, mountains, and lakes and fjords.
The waterfall Kjosfossen at the Flåm line. Photo: Njål Svingheim
The Bergen line
The railway between Oslo and Bergen, the two largest cities in Norway, is one of the most exciting and beautiful train journeys in the world. No other train journey between two cities in Europe reaches a higher altitude than the one between Oslo andBergen. The highest station on the line is Finse, 1,222 metres above sea level. The highest point is at Fagernut, 1,237 metres above sea level. During the trip, you will witness the most amazing nature, splendid waterfalls, steep mountains, glaciers, forests and typical Norwegian countryside and villages. The total travel time between Oslo and Bergen is approximately 6½ – 7 hours.
The Flåm line
The railway between Myrdal station on theBergen line and the small village of Flåm, at the innermost corner of the Sognefjord, is one of the most spectacular tourist attractions inNorway. The railway line loops its way down from Myrdal station, 865 metres above sea level, to the fjord in Flåm, 20 kilometres away. The Flåm Railway is one of the world’s steepest standard gauge railway lines. The gradient is 55/1000 on almost 80% of the line. The twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountain are manifestations of the most daring and skilful engineering in Norwegian railway history.
Trollveggen ("The Troll Wall") at the Rauma line. Photo: Leif J. Olestad
The Rauma line
The Rauma line is an other spectacular railway line in Norway. Starting at Dombås on the Dovre line, it ends 114 kilometer further west at Åndalsnes, down by the Romsdalsfjord on the west coast.
The Dovre line
The railway between Oslo and Trondheim takes you through the countryside in Eastern Norway, along the famous Gudbrandsdalen valley and over the mountains to Trondheim. The line runs across the mountain plateau at Dovre, more than 1,000 metres above sea level. From the train, you can see the Snøhetta mountain, 2,286 metres above sea level.
For more information visit: www.jernbaneverket.no
