Things to do in Flåm, Norway: Cycling and the scenic Flåm Railway

Things to do in Flåm, Norway: Cycling and the scenic Flåm Railway

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

We’d only been on the Flåm Railway for a few minutes, and I’d already lost count of how many waterfalls we’d passed.

That’s the thing about Norway, particularly the area around the village of Flåm which is so incredibly gorgeous it inspired the popular Disney movie Frozen. The scenery is so dramatic, so vibrant, that at some point it almost becomes overwhelming and you need to actually remind yourself to keep moving, lest you inadvertently find yourself staring in awe at the same mountain peak or lush valley for hours.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

The Flåm railway, Flåmsbana

Fortunately on this day we had no choice but to keep going, as we were on what’s considered one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys: the Flam Railway. Stretching for 20 kilometres between the village and Myrdal mountain station, the Flåmsbana climbs an impressive 866 metres in just one hour, treating passengers to breathtaking views of the surrounding Aurlandsfjord, mountains and waterfalls.

The track was constructed in the 1900s as part of the Bergen Railway linking Bergen and Oslo, and includes 20 tunnels—including 18 that were painstakingly excavated by hand. In a true feat of engineering, the Flåm line was laid on steep slopes and sharp bends to navigate the inclines and avoid the risk of avalanches, meaning 80 per cent of the track has an impressive 55 per cent gradient.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

Flam to Myrdal

The first leg of the journey was flat as the train pulled away from the Flam train station, and we pressed our faces against the large windows determined not to miss a single moment. We chugged past a steepled church, the Vibmesnosi Mountain, the Rjoande Waterfall with its 140 metre drop and the Berekvam Ravine where we briefly stopped to let a train heading the opposite way pass.

Passengers freely moved around the train car, jumping from side to side hoping for the best vantage point, excitedly calling out when a twisting river bend or snow-capped mountain peak was particularly scenic. Little did we know all that still couldn’t compete with what we were about to find on our first stop.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

The Kjosfossen Waterfall

As we made our way through a dark tunnel, the engines suddenly slowed, and the conductor’s voice came over the loudspeaker instructing us that we could get off. As we emerged out the other side of the tunnel, we were greeted with the roar of water.

We found ourselves standing in front of the thundering Kjosfossen Waterfall which has a free fall of 93 metres from the Reining Lake, its power so great that the mist floated over us despite being set a fair way back from the track.

The whole crowd watched, spellbound, as a woman in a flowing red dress stood on a great boulder beside the falls and began to sing:

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

Flam to Myrdal train station

I could have stayed there for hours soaking in the enchanting scene, but as the Flamsbana train has a tight schedule to keep we were ushered back on board about 10 minutes later, wiping away the dew-like spray as we revelled in the experience. In what felt like no time at all, we suddenly found ourselves pulling into tiny Myrdal train station, which was to be our final stop of the day.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

Fun things to do in Flam: Cycling along the Flåmsbana

While many guests simply do a round-trip journey or continue past Myrdal to explore areas like Voss, we had a more adventurous route planned to get back to Flåm: cycling all the way down. We’d rented bikes back in town, and they’d already been unloaded onto the platform as we stepped off the train. It slowly pulled away, leaving just us and our bicycles alone at the top of the mountain.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

There was, however, a hotel just over the ridge, and I’d been tipped off that it was one of the best spots in the area to try a famous heart-shaped waffle which are a traditional treat in Scandinavia.

Never one to turn down sweets, we headed into Vatnahalsen Hoyfjellshotell and sipped tea while savouring the desserts topped with strawberry jam and dollops of sour cream—the perfect snack to fuel us up before hopping on our bikes and hitting the trail. We had no way to know what it had in store for us.

RELATED: A complete list of hotels in Flam

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

Arriving at the top of the trailhead known as Myrdalssvingene, I gasped as I saw what stood between us and the bottom of the hill. There were nearly two dozen hairpin turns, covered in gravel and framed by steep cliffsides, waterfalls and snow. Sure it was scenic, but it wasn’t going to be easy!

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

With a mix of wonder, excitement and trepidation, we firmly fastened our helmets then slowly set off down the road, hands clutching the brakes with a death-grip. It was a delicate balance of trying to enjoy the incredible, untouched scenery, while also not inadvertently tumbling off the side of the mountain. It meant going at a snail’s pace, stopping often to take photos in front of yet another waterfall, and relishing in the fact that we had the entire mountain valley to ourselves.

Simply phenomenal, and definitely one of the most memorable things to do in Flåm.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

Cycling to Flam

Once we finally made it through the switchbacks, it was smooth sailing all the way down for the rest of the afternoon as we cycled back along the Flamsbana railway route. We navigated tiny bridges built over gushing rapids, inhaled the sweet smell of blooming lilacs, rode through forested laneways and heard birds harmonizing with the symphony of surrounding waterfalls. We were tracing the same path we’d taken on the train up, but this time had the luxury of stopping whenever we wanted to soak in our surroundings.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

As we neared Flåm, a trip of mountain goats trotted along the road in front of us, bleating as more of the animals emerged from behind shrubs dotting the cliffside to join the herd. They paid no attention to us as we cycled between them, and eventually turned off the path and disappeared over a ridge, heading back home to their dairy farm. Just another day in the Norwegian countryside.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down
We pulled back into the village late that afternoon, as the sun shone over the colourful wooden buildings lining the harbour creating sparkling reflections off the emerald water. Though only a few hours had passed, it felt like we’d experienced a lifetime of adventure—and immediately wanted to do it all over again.

The Flam Railway in Norway and cycling trip down

How to book Flam Railway tickets online

Flam train tickets can be purchased online or at the train station in Flåm. Advance reservations are recommended, as the tiny village is a popular spot for day-trippers, welcoming an estimated one million visitors per year—not bad for a town of 400 people!

The easiest way to explore is by booking the Flam railway from cruise ship excursion, if you’re visiting as part of a trip with a company like Viking Cruises or Celebrity Cruises. Otherwise, you’ll have to get to Flam yourself, or book a pricey day trip from Bergen or Oslo:

 

If you have a full day in Flåm, it’s possible to enjoy a fjord safari in the morning and do the railway/cycling trip in the afternoon.

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This article was originally published in August 2016 and updated in September 2020

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Globe Guide explored Flåm in collaboration with Viking Cruises and Visit Norway. As always, hosts have no editorial influence over articles.

This post may contain affiliate links, which Globe Guide receives compensation for at no additional cost to you.

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31 thoughts on “Things to do in Flåm, Norway: Cycling and the scenic Flåm Railway”

  1. I’ve only been to Norway once, and I too vividly remember the countless waterfalls; your photographs have inspired me to add Flam to my (ever-growing!) bucket list!

  2. Such amazing scenery! We’re heading to Norway next year but taking in a cruise – thinking I might try and tack on some extra time at the end of the cruise to explore by land too 🙂 Thanks for the beautiful photos and inspiration!

  3. Last time I went to Norway I didn’t have time to go on the Flam Railway. But after reading your post it’s definitely going to be on my itinerary now. The scenery looks amazing!

  4. These photos are breathtaking! I can’t wait to visit Norway someday. Also that waffle dessert looks so good! Thanks for sharing your adventure 🙂

  5. I’ve wanted to take the train from Oslo to Bergen, but haven’t had the chance! The landscape in that area looks amazing, and the 55% gradient is certainly very steep for a train!

  6. What fun!! Great photos and storytelling. Love the fact that the train stopped and you the lady was singing by the spectacular waterfall. Wow!! I’d love to take your trip and have your bike ride experience. Definitely adding this to my list of “must-do” activities!! Glad you had a blast!

  7. Incredible!! I would really love to check this out, what an adventure it must be! That waterfall looks amazing too. Tourism must definitely play a huge role in that tiny little town.

  8. I have just been to Norway 2 months ago and I can still remember how breathtakingly outstanding that country is! I have also rode a railway while I was there but I forgot the name — nevertheless, this is surely one amazing route that you’ve gone through!

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    1. Hmmm well if it helps, I’m terrible with motion sickness and didn’t find the water very rough when I was there (in May)- both are definitely good options! You could always take a train to each town and then go on a short boat ride in the area instead…

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  14. Alexandra Brown

    How long did it take you on the bike ride back to Flam. Planning a trip in May and I am very interested in fitting in that ride 🙂

  15. Hi,
    I too would like to train up and cycle back down, where did you hire the bikes from and how long was the cycle back down as i’m on a cruise and will need to ensure we can make it back to the ship in time.

    Many thanks

    1. Hi Katy, you can actually rent them right in Flam- the town is super tiny, you can’t miss the stand! We actually managed to do the entire train/bike ride, plus a fjord safari in just one day during our cruise. So, if you’re just doing the train/bike you should have plenty of time to get back to the ship.

  16. Can’t wait to do this. We are going in Aug and this is on our list. Do you need to reserve bikes ahead of time or just walk up. I know that the train needs to be reserved ahead of time. Was the ride down about 3 hours? Thanks for your great article! Inspiring. Sue

    1. Ah you’re going to have the best time, it’s so amazing!!! I’m sure you can just walk up if you need to, but it might be better to sort everything ahead of time since you’ll need to coordinate with the train schedule and won’t want to miss it.

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