All aboard the Flåm Railway, Norway

Snow-clad granite peaks compete for my attention with lush meadows, ribbons of silver rivers and crashing waterfalls as the train zig-zags in and out of the darkest of mountain tunnels.  

I defy even those with the hardest of hearts not to be touched by the sheer beauty of this wild and rugged landscape. It is everything that you imagine Norway to be, only better.

Reputed to be one of the most astounding train rides in the world, the Flåm Railway  the steepest standard-gauge in Europe, has to be top of the list for anybody visiting the Norwegian Fjords.

After arriving on the Saga Sapphire in Bergen on my Nordic Delights cruise, I get myself on to one of the ship's tours so that I can discover the charms of Norway. 

At Voss, a pretty town in Fjord heartland, we board the train to Myrdal, a small station nestled into the mountains, where we change trains to start our 12-mile journey to the tiny village of Flåm, deep-seated into the corner of the Aurlandfjord, a branch of the mighty Sognefjord, the country’s longest.

Tvindefossen waterfall

We stop at the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall so that we can take photographs and breathe in the wonderful air. This bold engineering feat took approximately 20 years to build and was open for electric trains in 1944. It takes about an hour to do the journey.

Once in Flåm, our special tour guide who manages to inject humour into his spiel so facts are easily digestible, has some more surprises up his sleeve. We enjoy a delicious lunch at the Stalheim Hotel and are now being whisked off to the Tvindefossen waterfall via the Stalheimskleiva. This mountain road is precipitous to say the least. Going round its hairpin bends is not for the faint-hearted. No wonder it is billed as one of the one of the steepest roads in Northern Europe.

Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen
 Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.com  
© Innovation Norway

We are now back in Bergen, which claims to be the “gateway to the fjords” and I cannot resist exploring this town before setting sail. Engulfed by mountains and fjords, it is supposedly always raining here. Luckily, for me the sun is shining as I saunter along in Bryggen. The city’s old wharf, on the eastern shore of the harbour, is dotted with colourful wooden buildings. It is undeniably charming.

As I roam the cobbled streets. I am already turning my mind to dinner and hope there is some fresh fish from Begen’s renowned 300-year-old Fish Market on the menu. 

Getting there

For more information and to book visit travel.saga.co.uk/cruises

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist