Romantic Flåm, Norway

Whether the two of you arrive by cruise ship, train, or bicycle, you'll find the Norwegian village of Flam a beautiful getaway. The town of just 400 residents is tucked on a tributary of the longest and deepest fjord in the world, Sognefjord, which is the 204 kilometers long and 1308 meters deep. The word Flam itself means a small meadow between steep mountains, a hint at the beauty which draws travelers to this community located between Oslo and Bergen. This valley was formed by an ice sheet that eroded the land for millions of years, leaving in its wake deep valleys and rich farmland.

For many years, Flam was primarily a farmland but by the end of the 19th century became a popular cruise ship destination with the English and Germans. In 1909, the Bergensbana Railway opened and Flam became a complete tourism destination with growth of hotels to serve steamship and train passengers, both of whom were picked up and transported by two-wheel buggy to view the many scenic sites in the area.

Ride the Rails

Today a private branch of the Bergensbana Railway operates as the Flam Railway, considered to be one of the most scenic railways in the world. Traveling from the fjord all the way to the mountaintop, the railway includes a spiral tunnel inside the mountain as well as spectacular views. The 20-kilometer ride, which runs about 50 minutes, is one of the world’s steepest railways using normal gauge track.

Tickets to the Flam Railway include admission to the Flåmsbana Museum (also called the Flåm Railway Documentation Centre) in town. Located in the old station building a short walk from the Flåm Railway, the museum recalls the construction of this railway which took 20 years to complete.  

Cycling

Along with one of the most scenic rail journeys, this region also holds the title as home of one of the most scenic cycling trips, a downhill ride on the Rallarvegen. The downhill stretch from Vatnahalsen into Flan follows the rail line at many points and offers scenic vistas of the fjord.

Historic Farmyard

Travelers who just want to take a short hike or bike ride from Flam often visit Otternes Farmyard, a collection of 27 farm buildings dating back as far as the 16th century, all located just outside the community. Guided tours explain farmlife in the region with demonstrations of activities ranging from goat cheese making to beer brewing.

Back in Town

After exploring the surrounding mountains, the village center serves as a focal point for Flam visitors thanks to its stores, cafes, and tourist information office. For many visitors, it’s a chance to sample local cuisine, such as lapper, a Norwegian style pancake served with jam and sour cream.

One of the most historic places to eat in Flam is the Fretheim Hotel, which dates back to 1870 and the earliest days of Flam tourism. Here the restaurant utilizes it own smokehouse and stabbur or storehouse to create homemade cured meat such as salted lamb ribs, leg of lamb, and sausage.

For More Information:

• visit www.visitflam.com

Photo: View of the Aurlandsfjorden, a part of the Sognefjorden and Flåm. Photo taken below the summit of Prest. Photographer: Oyvind Roti. Photo under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 License.