Flam Railway | One of the Best Train Trips in the World

One of the World’s Greatest Trips by Train

^{_{Janet Serra, Travel Writer and Tour Director}}

When I thought of Norway, before taking a small group tour with Tours of Distinction, I was focused on the magnificent fjords that cut through the lush mountainous countryside, the small colorful villages, wildlife, and waterfalls that line the banks. Admittedly, Norway is a place of great natural beauty and the fjords are an unforgettable experience. What I wasn’t expecting was the spectacular railroad journey on the Flåm which has been described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. And, after my extraordinary ride on the world’s steepest railroad, I have to agree - it is simply awe-inspiring and not to be missed.

A Marvel of Engineering

In 1908 the Norwegian Parliament decided to build a railway between Myrdal and Flåm to make sure there was a reliable transportation route to the fjord from Bergen and Oslo. Construction on the rugged terrain began in 1923 and was completed in 1940. For close to twenty years this peaceful valley was a hive of activity as the workplace for several hundred people. 

Because the terrain is so difficult coupled with the fear of avalanches and rockslides, the Flåm has twenty tunnels that were drilled by hand. It took the workers one month to drill just one mile of the tunnel including the amazing hairpin tunnel with its 180-degree turn. In 1936, the workers started to lay the rail which zigzags up the mountain with a gradient of 5.5% meaning it climbs about three feet for every sixty feet of track. That is arduous and slow going! The track climbs some 2,833 feet from the Flåm Station and travels just 12.4 miles.

The railroad was opened in August of 1940 to transport goods, in February 1941, it was opened for passenger traffic, and in 1944, it was the first train to be electrified in Norway. Back in the day, from Myrdal down to Flåm, the train took 65 minutes, and the uphill journey took 80 minutes. Today, the excursion is about one hour either way.

Riding the Flåm

I was so excited to board the forest green train cars, just twelve in all of the  Flåmsbana Railroad, locally known as the Flåm. My trip departed from the storybook village of Flåm located on the shore of Norway’s glacial-cut Aurlandsfjord inlet. My journey would take me to the mountaintop station of Myrdal ascending an astonishing 2,821 feet in about one hour. There is a narration in both Norwegian and English that explains the history of the railway and points out significant landmarks and villages.

Leaving the station that is surrounded by mountains, we went through our first tunnel. This tunnel is made of wood with open panels that remind me of portals that gave me a wonderful view of the beautiful countryside. Wooden tunnels with views are interspersed along the route. Many of the tunnels, 20 in all, are drilled right through the mountainside. It boggles the mind to think that all 20 tunnels were drilled by hand without the use of computers or heavy machinery. They have rough walls and their darkness is an incredible contrast to the bright, breathtaking landscape that lies beyond them. It is exciting to emerge from the dark rustic tunnels to the dramatic vistas of the ever-present snow-covered mountain tops. 

Along the way, I saw farms clinging to sheer slopes, remote hamlets with brightly painted red houses, the Flamselvi River that cuts through deep ravines on its way to Aurlandsfjord,  glistening glacial lakes, and waterfalls thundering down the slopes. 

A highlight of the journey is a ten-minute stop at Kjosfossen Waterfall, where I disembarked with many other passengers for a photo op! This waterfall plummets 740 feet dispersing an ice-cold mist of spray. The train steward told me about the local legend of Huldra, a beguiling forest nymph that tries to lure men into the woods! If you are lucky enough to take this ride in the summer, look for the scarlet-dressed “forest nymphs” singing and dancing on the rocks. They are actually ballet students that are hired seasonally to play the part of Huldra! I didn’t see them on my visit and can’t decide if they would be too much fun or a distraction from the pristine beauty of the waterfall.

The last stop of the journey before heading back to Flåm is at the remote mountain station, Myrdal. We stayed about 15 minutes in Myrdal - just long enough to take photos of the surrounding craggy mountain peaks and of the train in a beautiful location. The return trip was about an hour.

Tips for Riding the Flåm

After riding the Flåm, I have a few suggestions of what to expect and what to do on this exciting journey.

1. Plan to stop at the Flåm Railway Museum located right next to the Flåm Railway which is free to enter. This museum tells the stories of the hardworking people that built this engineering wonder and the technical challenges that they encountered. Videos, pictures, and artifacts including an authentic EI locomotive, rail inspection trolleys, and an old electric shutting engine are on display. The museum’s gift shop is the place to get souvenirs.

2. The train excursion lasts about two hours, using the same route on the way up as it does on the way back to Flåm. Since it is the same train, if you want to see both views, you should sit on one side on the way up and on the opposite side on the way back.

3. I think the best views when departing from Flåm are on the right. Alternatively, if you are departing from Myrdal, sit on the left. 

4. Some of the front and back seats in each car have windows that open. If you are a photography buff and want to avoid the glare of the window, choose your seat carefully.

5. Because of the movement of the train from Flåm to Myrdal, it is more difficult to take photos. The downhill journey from Myrdal to Flåm is smoother and better for taking photos. Don’t worry, the ride is comfortable and beautiful both ways.

6.  Just so you know… there is a bathroom in each carriage and the train is wheelchair accessible.

7. There is no food service on the train. There is one grocery store in Flåm and several small cafes. You might want to pack your own water and snacks before boarding the train.

It is no wonder why National Geographic Magazine called the Flåm Railway one of the “Top Ten Railroad Journeys in the World” and, why Lonely Planet calls it the “Best Train Journey in the World.” This train journey exceeded my expectations and it lived up to all the hype. I am so happy that Tours of Distinction included it on my trip to Norway because this is a bucket list experience that shouldn’t be missed.