Flåm

Flåm is a village in Sogn og Fjordane county, at the innermost point of the Aurlandsfjord arm of the Sognefjord. Flåm is among the busiest cruise ports in Norway. This article also covers the neighbouring villages of Aurlandsvangen, Gudvangen and Undredal, located approximately 10 km (6 mi) away in either direction; and Myrdal station at the junction of Bergen railway and Flåm railway. The small village of Gudvangen is at the other end of the popular boat ride Flåm-Gudvangen. The area is known for iconic fjords, numerous tall waterfalls, canynon-like valleys and impressive railway engineering.

Understand
Flåm sits at the south end of the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the great Sognefjord. Flåm is also the end station for the Flåm railway, the only railway in Sogn og Fjordane and connection to the Bergen railway between Oslo and Bergen. Thanks to the railway and the sightseeing boat to Gudvangen (as well as a large number of cruise ships), Flåm has become one of the most visited places in the Western Fjords. These deep fjords allow the largest cruise ships to enter.

Nærøydalen and Flåmsdalen valleys are home to several impressive waterfalls, including some of the tallest in Norway.

Villages

 * Flåm is the end station for Flåmsbana and a good starting point for a cruise to Nærøyfjord, an arm of Sognefjord, and designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Flåm sits at the mouth of Flåm valley that runs from the high plateau at Myrdal station to the fjord.

By plane
There is a small airport in Sogndal. The closest international airport flights is Bergen airport. Oslo airport, Gardermoen is some 5-6 hours driving.

By car
Flåm is on the European route 16, and could be reached along this from Bergen in 2 hr 45 min. Driving from Oslo would require 5 hr 30 min. Flåm can be reached from Geilo in Buskerud on route 50. In summer this is also the quickest connection from Oslo. In winter, the route 50 can be closed due to bad weather conditions.

By bus
Seven daily departures from Bergen, Sogndal and Lærdal.

By boat
Flåm is Norway's fourth largest cruise port, with about 175 cruise ship calls annually, bringing hundreds of thousand visitors to the tiny town. Flåm has space for one cruise ship to dock at its pier; others would tender to the central pier.

A catamaran route links Flåm with Bergen and other villages along the Sognefjord. This is a great way to see the fjord. Departures once daily between 1 May and 30 September. There is also a car ferry which goes from Flåm to Gudvangen (kr 665 for a car and its driver).

By rail
The famous Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) from Myrdal, a station on the main Oslo-Bergen line, is in itself a major tourist attraction. Many travellers continue onwards with a scenic cruise through the fjord itself to Gudvangen, from where you can catch a bus back to the mainline. This roundtrip is known as Norway in a nutshell.



The Oslo-Bergen railway is operated by the Norwegian State Railways. If you buy your ticket online well in advance, fares may be as low as kr. 199 for a one-way ticket. For an additional fee of kr. 90 you may upgrade your ticket to NSB Komfort, the equivalent of first class, with better seats, free coffee and tea, power supply and a more quiet spot in the train.

There should be a special car accessible for people using a wheelchair on all trains between Oslo and Bergen. A reservation is recommended. The train staff will assist you to get the wheelchair on board.

Alternatively, access Myrdal and Flåm by bike on Rallarvegen (Navvies' Road), running from Haugastøl via Finse and Hallingskeid.

Get around
Walking is a good option since Flåm near the fjord is very compact. The rest of Flåm near the fjord can easily be covered by foot. More of the village is located a few miles up the river, along the route of the Flåmbana. The railway and bicycle are good options in the Flåm valley between Flåm village and Myrdal station. The upper part of Flåm valley and Myrdal station is not available by car, and caravans/motorhomes can only drive in the lowest part of the valley. The local road in Flåm valley is dead end and there is little traffic. Until the church the valley floor is flat and barely above sea level.

A good place to start is at the Flåm Railway Station and Visitor Center (Flåm Turistinformasjon), where one can pick up a map of the village, browse a large gift shop, and buy tickets for boat, train, and bus sightseeing tours/rides. They also have wifi (must purchase vouchers) and washrooms.

Aurland is also a compact village that can be covered on foot. Stegastein viewpoint is a long walk steep uphill. Aurland valley from the village to the lake is flat and easy, but to Vassbygdi better use car or bus. Gudvangen is a very small village only 200 meter across. Nærøydalen valley is largely flat and easy, but traffic can be fast. About 10 km to Stalheim.

Bus, car or cycle are the options between Flåm and Aurland. Undredal is accessed through a 5 km tunnel from Flåm (12 km tunnel from Gudvangen), and hiking and cycling to Undredal is not possible from Flåm or Gudvangen. The European route E16 highway passes by Flåm and Aurland. Heading west, E16 enters the Gudvanga Tunnel on its way to the village of Gudvangen, located at the end of the narrow Nærøyfjord where the Nærøydalselvi river empties into the Nærøyfjord.

Do


Get on Flåmsbana and enjoy one of the steepest train journey along the Flåm valley. With a gradient of one in eighteen on 80 % of the 20 km-long ride.

If you have the guts, get on your bike to Vatnahalsen and further on through the 21 twists and turns along the 19 km of Rallarvegen down the Flåm valley.

Buy
Goat milk cheese, geitost from Undredal is considered a delicacy. Norwegian goat milk cheese differs from the Greek feta cheese. There are several types, but the most common one has a sweet taste.

In the wilderness
Camping under the open sky or in a tent is permitted in the wilderness such as in the uplands beyond Myrdal station. According to the Norwegian right to access, you may stay for up to two nights in one spot, provided that you leave no trace.

Go next

 * The mountain road to Lærdal. This road reach an altitude of 1306 m (4285 ft). It is named the Snow Road because snow is piled up beside it, several metres high, in summer. From the top of the serpentine road from Aurland there is an awesome view over Aurland, and the fjord.
 * Catch the train to Finse, and cycle back on Rallarvegen(Navvies Road). This road was used under the construction of the railway. You will pass over mountain passes, before cycling down the steep valley to Flåm. The distance is 55 km (34 mi), the trip takes about five to eight hours. Bicycles are available for hire in Flåm or Finse for 250 NOK.
 * Voss and Bergen
 * Balestrand