Flåm, Norway and The Flåm Railway

Flåm is located up the Sognefjord, Norway's longest and most spectacular fjord.  We wake up cruising along the final part of the fjord to Flåm (more fjord pictures in the next blog when we pass through it on the way out in the afternoon).

Through the Sognefjord to Flåm

Flåm has only a few hundred people, with towering mountains on three sides and the fjord on the other.  The city is a gateway to this fabulous region of adventure (hiking, cycling, kayaking, cruising the fjords).

 Approaching Flåm

From Flåm, the Flåm Railway travels 20.2 km (12.5 miles), with an elevation rise of 863.5 meters (2833 feet, 1/2 mile) to Myrdal, where it meets up with trains from Oslo and Bergen.  The train line took 16 years to build and is now principally a tourist service for visitors to Flåm.

 The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana)

The train winds through the mountains, with spectacular views around every corner, travelling up with a maximum gradient of 5.5% (1:18).  The trip is full of spectacular waterfalls, the longest with a vertical drop of 340 meters (1115 feet).

Riding up on the Flåm Railway

We get off at the Vatna-Halsen station, one stop from the end at Myrdal, explore the area, and stop for waffles and coffee at the Vatnahalsen Hotel.

 Vantnahalsen Hotel

View from the hotel

From the hotel, we follow a path down to Lake Reinungavatnet, walking through summer cottages that look incredibly tranquil and serene.

 Down by the Lake Reinungavatnet

We hop on the train and head back down to Flåm for more great pictures along the way.

 Heading back

We wander along the shore of the fjord in Flåm, watching the kayaks, ferries, and fjord cruises head out into the beautiful scenery.

 Back in Flåm

Soon, it's time to get on board our ships and head out on our return trip through the Sognefjord.