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Having never visited any Scandinavian country before, we were very excited at the prospect of spending some time in Norway. While this remarkable country stretches all along the western side of the Scandinavian peninsula, our trip focused on the southern part of the country. After some time in exploring Oslo, we took the scenic Oslo-Bergen railway, often billed as one of the most spectacular rail journeys on earth. From Oslo, the line climbs to the vast Hardangervidda Plateau. At Myrdal, the Flåmsbanen railway careens down through towering mountains and impressive waterfalls down to Flåm. From Flåm, the fjord cruise head up the Sognefjord before resuming the train journey to Bergen. We also managed to fit in a quick weekend getaway across the border to Goteborg, Sweden. Itinerary : May-June 2011
The Photos![]() |
![]() Oslo city center along Karl Johans Gate |
The prow of polarship Fram, that played pivotal role in polar exploration |
![]() Mermaid statue at Drøbak jetty |
The fortress is situated on two small islets which is reached by a short boat trip from Drøbak. It is best known for sinking the German heavy cruiser Blücher on April 9, 1940 in the Drøbak narrows. The cruiser was transporting German soldiers and bureaucrats for the planned swift occupation of Oslo, but the sinking by the Oscarsborg fortress delayed this, and thus allowed for the evacuation of the Norwegian Royal Family, parliament, and cabinet, and for the nation's gold reserves to be denied the occupiers. During the Cold War, Oscarsborg formed a last line of defence for the capital city, with the underground torpedo battery remaining secretly active up 1993. The fortress is now largely a civilian resort and attraction, open for visitors. The scenic surroundings is used for conferences and excursions. |
![]() Route map - Norway in a Nutshell |
![]() Hardangervidda plateau |
The Bergen railway is the approximately 500-kilometre-long railway line between Bergen and Oslo. It is Northern Europe's highest stretch of railway, roughly 100 km of which runs through wild mountain terrain. The line crosses both the Langfjellene mountains and the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. The train ride is spectacular and varied.On the journey from east to west, you pass many areas of open countryside and wooded valleys in the east before crossing the bare mountains to arrive at the steep mountainsides and exciting fjord areas of western Norway. Finse is the highest station, situated at an altitude of 1,222 metres and you can see the blue ice of the Hardangerjokul glacier. We got off the train at Myrdal, for the next segment of our journey. |
![]() Myrdal Station - upper terminus of the Flåm Railway |
![]() Panorama of towering mountains and impressive waterfalls |
Flåm |
Flåm harbour |
![]() Going up Aurlandsfjord |
![]() Town on the sliver of land along Aurlandsfjord |
Aurlandsfjord |
![]() Entering the narrower Nærøyfjord - only 500 metres wide in some parts. |
![]() View of the valley from the Stalheimskleiva road |
![]() Hairpin turns - Stalheimskleiva road |
![]() View of Bergen harbour from Floibanen |
![]() Colorful timbered buildings at Bryggen |
Outside Gothenburg Central Station |
![]() Island hopping - Gothenburg's southern archipelago |
Click here for the KMZ file for the trip. This can be opened in Google Earth.
Alternatively, you can view the waypoints and trip tracks in Google Maps below.