Flamsbana, the steep fjord railway between Flam and Myrdal
Published on 09/10/2026 at 12:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂŒller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Flamsbana, known in Norwegian as FlÄmsbana, is a standard-gauge railway climbing between the fjord-side village of Flam and the mountain station of Myrdal in western Norway. Opened in 1940 as a branch of the Bergen Line, it threads through the steep valley of FlÄmsdalen on a compact route that has become a showpiece of Norwegian mountain rail engineering.Opened in 1940 as a branch of the Bergen Line
A short line with a big descent
The core of Flamsbanaâs character is its scale: a relatively short length combined with a pronounced change in altitude. The line runs for about 20.2 km (12.6 mi) between Flam, close to sea level at the head of Aurlandsfjord, and Myrdal, which lies high in the mountains on the main Bergen Line.The route runs 20.2 km between Myrdal and Flam Over this distance the track climbs or descends roughly 860 m (about 2,820 ft), creating gradients that are steep for an adhesion-based standard-gauge railway.The line climbs or descends roughly 860 m
The journey connects two different landscapes in a single ride. Myrdal stands on the mountain section of the Bergen Line in southern Norway, while Flam lies near sea level on Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the larger Sognefjord system.Flam lies at sea level on Aurlandsfjord Travellers see the terrain shift from high plateau and side valleys down to a narrower valley floor surrounded by steep slopes before the train reaches the fjord terminus beside the harbour.
Engineering the Flamsdalen climb
From the start, Flamsbana was planned as a mountain branch of the Bergen Line, giving Aurlandsfjord a direct rail connection to the national network.FlÄmsbana AS presents the railway as a dedicated branch Construction in the first half of the twentieth century produced a line with standard gauge and a continuous link to mainline services, but one that needed to handle gradients far steeper than most comparable lines. The solution was a route that follows the FlÄmsdalen valley closely, using bridges, retaining walls and curves to hold the track to the slopes.
One of the most striking technical features is the number of tunnels. There are 20 tunnels on the line, and most of them were excavated by hand through hard rock.There are 20 tunnels on the FlÄm Railway Together with short open sections over ravines and river crossings, they create a rhythm of enclosed and open stretches as the train gains or loses height between Myrdal and Flam.
From fjord harbour to mountain junction
Flamsbana does more than offer scenery; it links two different forms of travel. At the upper end, Myrdal station sits on the Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen, serving as an interchange where passengers can step from mainline trains onto the branch line. At the lower end, Flam functions as a small harbour village on Aurlandsfjord, with the station close to quayside facilities for boat services on the fjord.FlÄm is described as a branch-line rail terminus beside the fjord
The line has taken on a clear role as a scenic railway while retaining its link function. Operators present it as a dedicated experience, with the name FlĂ„m Railway used alongside Flamsbana in English-language material.The line is widely referred to as the FlĂ„m Railway (FlĂ„msbana) The railwayâs route between fjord and mountain makes it a natural component in itineraries that combine coastal travel with inland journeys across Norwayâs central highlands.
Visiting Flamsbana: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Flamsbana runs between Flam in western Norway and Myrdal station on the Bergen Line, linking Aurlandsfjord with rail services across the mountains.
- The route between Flam and Myrdal crosses steep valley terrain, with tracks, platforms and access paths on gradients that require steady footing.
- Flam lies at the head of Aurlandsfjord in Vestland county, with the railway station close to the fjord shore and harbour facilities.
- Myrdal stands at higher altitude on Norwayâs Bergen Line, and weather conditions at the upper terminus can be markedly different from those by the fjord.
- The official language is Norwegian and the currency is the Norwegian krone.
Searching for Flamsbana on social platforms
These links open searches for Flamsbana on each platform.Frequently asked questions about Flamsbana
Where is Flamsbana located?
Flamsbana runs between Flam on Aurlandsfjord in Vestland county and the mountain station of Myrdal on Norwayâs Bergen Line in southern Norway.
What can travellers expect on a Flamsbana journey?
The journey follows a steep valley route with tunnels, bridges and shifting views as the train climbs or descends between the fjord-side terminus and the high junction at Myrdal.
What makes Flamsbana distinctive compared with other railways?
Its combination of a relatively short standard-gauge line, a large altitude difference and a role linking fjord travel with the main Bergen Line gives Flamsbana a distinctive character.
