Widely regarded as one of the greatest railway journeys in the
world, this high-altitude trip through southern Norway links the
old Hanseatic city of Bergen and the Norwegian
capital, Oslo. The harsh climate experienced in this part of
the world has produced a landscape that is breathtaking and wild,
and the Bergen Railway enables us to soak up the
spectacular views whilst relaxing in warm, comfortable
carriages.
Beginning in Bergen in Western Norway, the train begins its
ascent into the rugged mountains, travelling alongside deep fjords
and passing through numerous tunnels hewn out of the solid rock to
the stations at Arna and Dale. After the Trollkona tunnel - the
longest on the line at 5.5 miles (8.7km) - we reach Voss, situated
by the Sognefjord in an area renowned for its skiing and extreme
sports. We travel onwards to Myrdal, the upper terminal of the Flåm
Railway, and then continue our ascent to Taugevann, the highest
point of the line at 4,267 feet (1,303m). Sub-arctic Finse, the
highest station on the route at 4,009 feet (1,222m), is our next
stop. The scenery is truly breathtaking.
From Finse, the Bergen Railway then begins a
3,281 foot (1,000m) decent over the next 62 miles (100km). The
train takes us through the pretty Hallingdal Valley and along a
ledge above the Hallingdalselva River to Lake Krøderen, where you
can enjoy the magnificent views of the mountain of Norefjell.
Having passed through towns and villages such as Geilo, Gol and
Flå, our journey through some of the wildest nature accessible by
train anywhere in the world, slowly begins to become more urban as
we approach our destination, vibrant Oslo.
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