The Flåm Railway, known in Norwegian as Flåmsbana, is a scenic rail line that runs from Myrdal, high in the mountains, down to the village of Flåm in Aurland, western Norway. The route is a 20-kilometre journey, and it is one of the steepest train rides in the world, descending 863 metres through a dramatic landscape of waterfalls, mountains and valleys.
What the journey is like
Most of the appeal lies in the view from the carriage. As the train winds downhill, the scenery changes around each bend, with rushing water, steep rock faces and wide valley floors coming into sight in turn. The ride is less about arriving quickly and more about watching the landscape unfold at a steady pace.
Who it suits
- Rail enthusiasts, who will want to ride the line for its engineering and gradient alone.
- Photographers, since the waterfalls and mountain views offer plenty to frame from the window.
- Visitors touring the fjords, for whom the train is a relaxed way to move between the mountains and the water.
Around the station
The line ends in Flåm, a small village in the Aurland area on the shores of the fjord. Flåm Station is the place to start or finish the trip, and the village itself is a quiet base for exploring the surrounding valley and water. Those planning a visit can contact the railway by telephone on +47 57 63 14 00 for information before they travel.
