Norway rail trips: The Bergen line
Glacier view at Finse station 1222 ms above sea level
The scenic Bergen line
mountain railway connects Norway’s two largest cities; Oslo and Bergen. It is the highest mainline railway line in Northern Europe, crossing the Hardangervidda mountain plateau at 1300 meters above sea level. The line is some 500 kilometers long, and Finse is the highest station with an altitude of 1222 meters above sea level.
View from Flam Railway
Travel tips for the Bergen line:
The Bergen line is an ideal starting point for a trip to the Norwegian fjords. You can start in Oslo and take it across to Myrdal, then change to the spectacular Flam Railway, taking you down to the Sognefjord and the village of Flam. There are boat and ferry trips from Flam, both to the Naeroyfjord and to the main Sognefjord all the way to Bergen, with calls at tiny fjord villages en route.
Fjord Cruise packages with Bergen line & Flam Railway:
Hardangervidda National Park
A taste of Sognefjord & Hardangerfjord. 7 nights
Sognefjord cruise & Balestrand village. 6 nights
Geirangerfjord & Norway in a Nutshell. 6 nights
Norway in a Nutshell. 5 nights
The Grand Tour of the Fjords. 8 nights
Lofoten Islands, Helgeland & Sognefjord. 12 nights
Norway in a Nutshell Winter. 5 nights
Hallingdal valley
The Bergen line takes you through beautiful scenery, through the Hallingdal valley, across the Hardangervidda National Park with views of mountain peaks and the Hardangerjokulen glacier at Finse. The mountain areas are covered with snow between October/November and April. During these months the locomotives often carry a snow plow at the front.
Geilo mountain village
The Bergen line offers both transport from villages along the line, as well as travel between Oslo and Bergen. The entire journey takes approximately 7 hours. Several parts of the line visit stations without road access, such as Finse and Myrdal. The famous Flam Railway is a side branch line, starting at the Myrdal mountain station, descending through the Flam valley to Flam village by the Sognefjord at sea level.
Horse sleigh at Geilo
Geilo mountain village is a popular winter ski resort, both for Alpine and Cross country skiing, as well as other kinds of winter activities like dog sledding & horse sleigh. Geilo is located approximately midway between Oslo and Bergen, and due to its easy access by train lots of inhabitants of both cities have their second homes/mountain chalets in the area. Most Norwegians love skiing!
Finse being the highest station, is also the most windy and a popular paragliding area. During the winter months snow storms are quite frequent, with heavy snowfall.
Voss village hosts the annual Extreme sports festival, with all kinds of sports like rafting, hang gliding, paragliding, skydiving. Voss has excellent Alpine skiing facilities.
Read more about scenic rail lines in Norway
Click here to watch a YouTube video from the Bergen line
Pictures from the Bergen line:
Meeting Flam Railway at Myrdal station
Bergen line mountain scenery
Vosso river
Hallingdal valley in winter
Between Finse and Myrdal
Bergen line at Myrdal
Bergen train station
WHAT TO SEE:
Enjoy an unforgettable trip across the mountains!
Gol station in Hallingdal valley
Geilo mountain village
Beautiful mountain scenery
The Sorfjord, approaching Bergen
Heavy snow in winter
Wooden church at Geilo
