An incredible train journey from the mountain station at Myrdal on the Bergen Railway, down to Flåm Station nestled in the innermost corner of the Aurlandfjord. Each year, this exciting stretch of railway attracts people from all corners of the world, making the Flåm Railway one of Norway´s major and most spectacular tourist attractions.
Flåm is a smalI town with approximately 450 inhabitants, nestled in the innermost corner of the Aurlandsfjord, and centrally located along the new main road (open all year round) between Oslo and Bergen.
The Bergen Railway and Flåm Railway meet on the Myrdal Plateau. The Flåm Railway is operational throughout the year with four departures daily in the winter season and nine or ten during the summer season.
Barely a kilometre from Myrdal the train stops at Vatnahalsen where you can enjoy the first spectacular view over the valley. Vatnahalsen Hotel is located close to the station.
Just east of the line lies Reinunga Lake in picturesque surroundings. At Reinunga the train enters its first loop. After a few sharp bends it slowly passes a “window” cut out in the tunnel wall, providing a magnificent view over the Flåm Valley.
At the exit of Bakli Tunnel the train stops at the mighty Kjosfossen Waterfall. The river seen from here flows down from the Reinunga Lake to the power station through a water tunnel.
Shortly after the Kjosfossen Waterfall and tunnel, at Pinnelia, you can see three levels of the Flåm Railway spiralling up the steep mountain side. From Pinnelia you can also see the Rallarvegen road with its 21 sharp bends zigzagging up towards the Myrdal Mountain. The next tunnel, the Nåli Tunnel measuring 1.340 metres, is the longest.
From Kårdal you can see the highest hamlet in the Flåm Valley, the Kårdal Waterfall and the old road through the Ugjerd Valley.
Blomheller is one of the Flåm Valley´s most dangerous natural phenomena, the Trolla Avalanche, is to be found in the west. Each winter with normal snowfalls an avalanche thunders down from the lofty mountain peak.
From Berekvam station, halfway between Myrdal and Flåm, you can see the dramatic Berekvam Ravine, where the Flåm River cuts deeply through the narrow gorge. At Berekvam there are double tracks to enable the trains from Myrdal and Flåm to pass each other.
Just south of Dalsbotn lies the Styvisethaugen Farm, built on an enormous rock. Another huge rock provides a natural bridge across the river. After Dalsbotn there are two tunnels, Spælemyren and Furuberget. At Håreina the Flåm Railway widens out and you can see picturesque farms and Flåm Church (1667) nestling at the bottom of the valley. Above Håreina, tower the Vibmesnosi Mountain (1.260 metres) and the breathtaking Rjoandefossen Waterfall with a vertical drop of 140 metres.
Lunden is where the precipitous Haga Mountain drops down to the railway line.