From the Depths of the Fjord to the Sky: Why the Flåm Railway Captivates Travelers Worldwide

A Single Railway That Transformed a Small Village into a Global Tourist Destination

Outside the train window, waterfalls cascade down, spraying white mist. On the opposite side, snow-capped mountains and deep valleys stretch out, with the tracks clinging to the rock face as they ascend.

Located at the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord in western Norway is Flåm. Once a quiet mountain village, it was the "Flåm Railway" that elevated this place to a well-known tourist destination for travelers worldwide. Known as Flåmsbana in Norwegian, it connects Flåm Station near the sea to Myrdal Station, which links with the Bergen Line.

The route is about 20 kilometers long. It's not a long-distance train by any means. However, it overcomes an elevation difference of about 860 meters within this short stretch. As a standard-gauge railway, it is considered one of the steepest routes in the world, with much of the route having a gradient of about 55 per mille, meaning it climbs 55 meters for every 1,000 meters traveled.

The one-way journey takes about 55 minutes. Just looking at the numbers, it might seem no different from a commuter train in the suburbs. Yet, in that roughly one hour, fjords, rivers, waterfalls, farms, rock walls, forests, snowy mountains, and tunnels are all condensed into the experience. The Flåm Railway is more than just a train to get to a destination; riding the train itself is the purpose—it's an "experiential railway." (Sources 1-4)

20 Tunnels Tell the Story of Man's Struggle with the Mountains

The allure of the Flåm Railway is not only in its majestic Nordic scenery. The history of its construction, which allows passengers to view these landscapes from the train windows, is also of great value.

Construction began in 1923, and it took until 1940 to open for service, requiring many years to complete. To lay tracks in the steep valleys, 20 tunnels were built along the route, with 18 of them reportedly dug primarily by hand.

Considering today's large-scale construction machinery, a distance of about 20 kilometers might not seem very long. However, imagining the era when tracks were laid while considering rock excavation, avalanches, landslides, and water flow, it becomes clear that this railway is not just a tourist facility.

Particularly impressive are the tunnels that make significant directional changes inside the mountains. Since sufficient curves cannot be secured on the surface, the mountain itself is used to change the train's direction and gain altitude. Passengers cannot directly see the structure inside the tunnels, but immediately after emerging from the darkness, the valley appears from a different angle than before. At that moment, one realizes that railway technology is designed to shape the way the scenery is viewed.

In the windows of the Flåm Railway, there is almost no contrast between nature and man-made structures. The tracks, tunnels, stone walls, and electric poles are indeed human-made, but rather than conquering the mountains, they seem to advance by borrowing the gaps in the terrain.

This sense of "human technology not being overly intrusive in nature" might be a point that Japanese travelers can easily relate to. (Sources 2-3)

A Drama of Alternating Darkness and Spectacular Views from the Train Window

The scenery of the Flåm Railway is not a continuous grand panorama.

When entering a tunnel, the windows darken, reflecting only the faces of the passengers and the interior lighting. As the light of the exit approaches and the train bursts outside, deep valleys, waterfalls, and scattered houses suddenly appear. Before fully comprehending the scenery, the train enters the next tunnel again.

This repetition creates a unique rhythm during the approximately 55-minute ride.

As the original article portrays the Flåm Railway as a "quiet drama," its greatest appeal lies not only in the grandeur of the scenery but also in how it is presented. The dark tunnels act as curtains, and the exits become stage transition devices. With each curve, the composition changes, and even when looking at the same valley, the height of the river, the distance to the waterfall, and the overlapping of mountains appear differently.

A representative highlight along the way is the Kjosfossen waterfall, known for its intense sound of water. The train makes a brief stop near the waterfall, allowing passengers to step out onto the platform and experience the spray and roar. The stop lasts only a few minutes, not enough for a leisurely stroll, but stepping off the train to feel the wind, moisture, and sound with one's body holds significance beyond just viewing from inside the train.

In a video, this scene might last only a few tens of seconds. However, in reality, the sound of the waterfall drowns out conversations, fine droplets reach the face, and the mountain air suddenly feels cold. No matter how high the resolution of short videos on social media becomes, they cannot fully replicate this physical sensation. (Sources 1-4)

"Movie-like Train" Amplified by Social Media

On Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, the Flåm Railway is an extremely compatible subject.

Footage of the green train winding through the valley, waterfalls appearing the moment it exits a tunnel, and majestic mountain ranges that can be captured without leaning out of the window—all convey the specialness of the place intuitively, even in short videos.

Following the posts that have been published, several commonalities can be seen in the positive reactions.

One frequent reaction is the surprise of "It doesn't seem like a real landscape" or "It's like a scene from a movie or fantasy work." The combination of steep mountains, countless cascading waterfalls, the river at the valley bottom, and the red and green train is easily understandable, even for those not familiar with Nordic travel.

Another noticeable reaction is, "I added it to my travel plans after seeing the video" or "I want to go to Norway to ride this train," indicating that social media has become a motivation for travel. While there are many videos introducing tourist destinations, in the case of the Flåm Railway, the train moves within the frame, making it easier to create a narrative than with static scenery. Viewers can unconsciously imagine themselves being inside the train.

Additionally, practical information such as "Which side of the seat should I sit on?" and "Which car is easier to shoot from?" is actively shared. This is a phenomenon unique to scenic trains. The desire to enhance travel satisfaction leads to research on seat strategies and shooting positions.

On the other hand, as this information spreads, it also means that all passengers aim for the same window, the same composition, and the same video. If passengers move between the windows on both sides in a nearly full train or occupy shooting spots for long periods, the train meant to enjoy the scenery can become a place of shooting competition.

Social media has conveyed the beauty of the Flåm Railway to the world. However, at the same time, it also has the power to transform a "journey to see the scenery" into a "journey to capture the scenery." (Sources 8-9)

Not Just "It Was Great": Candid Voices on Social Media

Reactions on social media and travel review sites are not all praise.

A frequently seen evaluation concerns the price. The Flåm Railway has a stronger character as an international tourist train than as a daily means of transport for local residents. As a result, some travelers find it relatively expensive compared to typical train travel. Opinions such as "It's beautiful, but whether it's worth the price depends on the person" and "The Bergen Line alone offers plenty of scenic enjoyment" are exchanged on public forums.

There are also complaints about congestion. Especially on days when cruise ships dock or during the busy summer season, a large number of travelers concentrate at the small station and train in Flåm. Posts like "The scenery was amazing, but the train was crowded" and "It was hard to get close to the window" indicate a reality separate from the spectacular views themselves.

Additionally, some people feel that "the time spent passing through tunnels was longer than expected." While the technical value of the Flåm Railway lies in its many tunnels, passengers expect open views from the windows. If one boards the train after only seeing promotional photos, they might be surprised by the repeated dark sections.

Opinions are also divided regarding the performance at Kjosfossen waterfall. While some find the performance incorporating Nordic folklore enjoyable, others perceive it as "wanting to quietly observe nature" or "overly staged as a tourist attraction."

In other words, what emerges from social media is not a simple story of "everyone is satisfied because it's a spectacular view."

For those who love trains, want to see Norwegian scenery in a short time, or have difficulty walking, it offers a highly efficient way to get close to nature. On the other hand, for those who prioritize tranquility or a sense of remoteness, Flåm during the busy season might differ from their expectations.

The important thing is not to take these negative reactions as "an evaluation of no value." Rather, it means that depending on what travelers seek, the same train can appear as a masterpiece or a commercialized tourist product. (Sources 6-8)

Hakone and Kurobe That Come to Mind for Japanese People

When Japanese people see the Flåm Railway, it is natural to think of the Hakone Tozan Railway or the Kurobe Gorge Railway.

The Hakone Tozan Railway runs through the mountains from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora, known for its steep 80 per mille gradients and switchbacks. Along the route, travelers can enjoy different landscapes depending on the season, such as fresh greenery, hydrangeas, autumn leaves, and snow.

The steepest gradient of the Flåm Railway is 55 per mille, and in terms of numbers alone, the Hakone Tozan Railway is steeper. However, the Flåm Railway covers about 20 kilometers, ascending rapidly from near the fjord to the mountains. While Hakone climbs the mountains using curves and switchbacks, Flåm changes altitude across the entire length of a long valley.

There are also many commonalities with the Kurobe Gorge Railway. Originally developed for power generation, the Kurobe Gorge Railway now serves as a tourist route transporting travelers to remote areas. Rivers, cliffs, tunnels, bridges, and power facilities appear in the train windows, embodying both a means of transportation and an industrial heritage.

Similarly, the Flåm Railway was not initially built as the SNS-oriented tourist product it is today. It was planned as a transportation route connecting the fjord coast and the Bergen Line, and later its technology and scenery were recognized as tourism resources.

For travelers familiar with Japanese mountain railways, the Flåm Railway can be understood not just as a "unique train not found in Japan," but as a shared history of building railways to match the terrain.

However, the scale of the scenery differs greatly. In Japanese mountain railways, there is a strong sense of being enveloped by forests and gorges. In the Flåm Railway, the depth of the valleys, nearly vertical rock walls, snow remaining far above, and water flowing towards the sea all fit within the same view. While Japanese railways offer the delicate seasonal changes, the Flåm Railway showcases the sheer magnitude of the terrain itself. (Sources 10-11)

If Visiting from Japan, Don't Aim to "Conquer in a Day"

For travelers visiting Norway from Japan, time becomes a significant issue.

Having arrived after long-distance travel, one might be tempted to pack Oslo, Bergen, the fjords, and the Flåm Railway into a limited number of days. In fact, a standard route is known that connects the train between Oslo and Bergen, a transfer at Myrdal, the Flåm Railway, a fjord cruise, and a bus all in one day.

While it's possible to tour in one day using the connections of transportation, social media and forums reveal comments like "I managed it, but it was hectic," "The scenery was amazing, but most of the day was spent on transportation," and "Next time, I want to stay overnight."

In Japanese package tours, efficiency in visiting many famous spots in a limited number of days is often emphasized. However, the charm of the Flåm Railway is not confined to the train ride alone.

Stroll through the quiet Flåm before cruise passengers gather in the morning. Ascend the mountains by train, and descend part of the way on foot or by bicycle. See the farmland along the river and small settlements up close. Stay until the evening when the light on the fjord changes. By adding such margins, the tourist train transforms from a "place to confirm famous scenery" to an "entry point to understand the land's formation."

If possible, an itinerary that includes an overnight stay in Flåm or its surroundings is desirable. Even places bustling with tourists during the day change impressions in the morning and evening. You can notice the daily life of the village not visible during short stops and the sound of water from the mountains.

Instead of rushing to the next city after a round trip on the Flåm Railway, there's also the option of using the train one way and combining it with walking or cycling. According to official information, walking from Myrdal to Flåm takes several hours, and cycling takes a few hours, including breaks. While consideration for physical condition and weather is necessary, the ability to revisit the scenery that passed by in an instant from the train window at your own pace is a significant attraction. (Sources 4-5, 7)

Not Just Summer: The Changing Value with Seasons

The videos of the Flåm Railway that spread on social media often depict the vibrant green of summer.

In summer, the days are long, the valley's vegetation is lush, and the presence of waterfalls is enhanced by the meltwater. For first-time visitors, it is likely the season where they can most easily encounter the "expected Norwegian scenery."

On the other hand, its popularity makes it prone to congestion. The desire to freely choose a window seat or quietly film may not always be fulfilled. If visiting in summer, it's advisable to choose an early morning or evening train within the possible range and consider the docking status of cruise ships.

In autumn, the colors of the forest change, adding yellows and reds to the previously all-green valley. If visiting during a period when tourist concentration eases, it becomes easier to calmly gaze out the train window.

In winter, the railway becomes entirely different. The expression of waterfalls and rivers may not be as dramatic as in summer, but the combination of snow-covered mountains and valleys, dark tunnels, and the low sun creates a quieter world than in summer. However, daylight hours are short, and depending on the travel time, the time available to view the scenery may be limited. In winter travel, it's necessary to choose trains based on sunrise and sunset.

There is no single answer to the question of which season is the most beautiful.

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