Flåm: Flåm Railway, Fjord and Railway Heritage

The Flåm Railway: engineering, route and journey

The Flåm Railway is a 20-kilometre railway line between Flåm and Myrdal. It is Europe’s steepest standard-gauge adhesion railway. For most of the route, the gradient is 55‰, or 1 in 18; the curve radii narrow to as little as 130 metres. This distinguishes the line’s length, gradient and curve layout as separate features.

From Flåm station, the Flåm Railway follows the Flåmselva along the valley floor until it passes Lunden station. The journey takes about 60 minutes and passes through the steep Flåm Valley. Along the way, there are views of waterfalls, mountain farms and high peaks. Allow approximately this amount of time for the journey if the railway is an important part of your stay.

The Flåm Railway is listed as running daily throughout the year. Check current operations and timetables before travelling.

The station, getting there and railway heritage

Flåm station is located near Fretheim on the Aurlandsfjord. Flåm can be reached by coach, boat, car or train. When planning, distinguish between travelling to Flåm and taking the Flåm Railway: the former is your journey to the village, while the latter is the railway line between Flåm and Myrdal. Check current connections and timetables for your mode of transport before setting off.

The original Flåm station building has been preserved as part of the Flåm Railway Museum. The village’s railway heritage therefore includes both the line and the former station building.

Aurland in the wider context

In the wider travel destination of Aurland, the Aurlandsfjord is part of the Sognefjord; the Sognefjord is designated a National Salmon Fjord.

In the wider travel destination of Aurland, Kjosfossen is also connected to the Flåm Railway. The waterfall is 225 metres high, and passengers can get off at a specially built stop. What happens at the stop may vary. The wider travel destination of Aurland also includes the Nærøyfjord. Its landscape is characterised by narrow, steep-sided rock faces, numerous waterfalls and free-flowing rivers. These flow through deciduous and coniferous forests towards glacier lakes and rugged mountains.

The Rallarvegen also ends in Flåm, combining cycling with nature and cultural history. Unlike the railway line, cycling there depends on seasonal conditions; take this into account when planning your dates. This places the railway journey and the Rallarvegen as distinct interests within the wider travel destination of Aurland. At the Stølsysteriet in the village of Undredal, traditional goat’s cheese is made using old methods, within the wider travel destination of Aurland. For those interested in local products, this offers a culinary point of interest alongside the railway and scenery.

Discover more destinations: Stålheim, Aurland, Gudvangen, Undredal, Finse, Aurlandsvangen.

Back to the wider travel overview: Aurland.