Around Scandinavia: Part Ten

On the Norwegian train journeys

29.05.2025: Tour Day3, Country2, City2,3

Good morning from Oslo! Today was a late morning and a laid-back day. I had breakfast at 08:45am consisting of pastries, muffins, etc. Luggage was loaded in the bus; we received our packed lunch and water bottle. 

We drove towards the Oslo Sentralstasjon and reached the venue at 11:15am. We had to board the 12pm Bergensbanen. The bus would drive to Flam station and wait for us. We entered the station, waited for the platform announcement and reached the same at 11:45am to board our train. 

The group was divided into two coaches. I grabbed one of the vacant window seats, kept the handbag and lunch packet in the carriage. We had two scenic train journeys today:

Journey 1: Oslo to Myrdal through Bergensbanen (12pm to 5pm)

One of the most scenic train journeys in the world started at 12pm from the Oslo station, then headed west through the suburbs of Asker, Bærum and Drammen before entering the countryside at Hønefoss. 

After traveling for about two hours, we reached Flå Station in breath-taking Hallingdal valley. 

There is a Bjørneparken bear park, about 2km from the station. Next, the train passes Nesbyen before arriving at Gol. Ål, the next station on the line, is at a walking distance from the Hallingdal Feriepark. 

Then the train started climbing up the mountain to Geilo, a very popular ski destination in winter and hiking and biking in the summer. 

You can also go fishing, horseback riding, or rafting. After Geilo, the train climbs up to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. 

The route runs past Ustaoset and Haugastøl stations, located in stunning natural surroundings high up in the mountains. Finse, a tiny mountain village, is located at the highest point on the Bergen Railway. We were given 5mins to go out take photos and come back. 

The train now starts heading back down the mountains again. Myrdal is the station where the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway connect. 

We alighted the train at this station. We are going to Bergen not today, it's via another route. But let me complete the Bergen line. The last station, about an hour’s ride before Bergen is Voss, known for rafting, skydiving, cycling, hiking, etc. You can ride the gondola directly from the Voss station to the 820-metre top of Mount Hanguren. 

Back to Myrdal station, we gathered near the station office. We had a 15min for restroom break, clicking photos, etc. Finally the Flamsbanen arrived on time. More on this in next post.