Bergen: Guided Grand Sognefjord Cruise to Flåm incl Flåm Train

The adventure starts at the Bergen Express Boat Terminal. Here, you'll board an express boat to journey through the Sognefjord, often called the "King of Fjords." As Norway’s longest ice-free and deepest fjord, the Sognefjord stretches over 200 km to the base of the Jotunheimen mountains. With its towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests, it's no surprise this area is considered one of the globe's most exquisite destinations.

The cruise concludes in Flåm, a picturesque village nestled among steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, and narrow valleys. In Flåm, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch, visit the Railway Museum, or explore the bustling harbor.

Next, you'll embark on the Flåm Railway, recognized as one of the steepest railways worldwide. This 20 km journey from Flåm to Myrdal offers panoramic views of Norway's wild and stunning mountain landscape, including the renowned Kjosfossen waterfall. The train ride takes approximately an hour.

Upon reaching Myrdal station, you'll transfer to the Bergen Line for your return trip to Bergen.

Itinerary:

Alverstraumen

Alverstraumen is a strait in Lindås municipality. It is located between Radfjorden, Radsundet and the village of Alversund. On the east side of the strait lies the mainland in Lindås, while Radøy is on the west side. The channel is between 100 and 200 meters wide and one kilometer long, and is characterized by strong tidal currents. It is an important route for coastal shipping, and across the strait Alversund bridge provides Radøy mainland connection.

Skjerjehamn

Skjerjehamn is a place north of Sandøyna in Gulen municipality. Previously, Skjerjehamn, which is located on a islet close to the inner main lane along the coast, was a hub for shipping traffic in western Norway. In 1929, 17 different boat routes had stops there in addition to local boat routes. There were both onshore, postal, drop, mechanical workshop, lumber warehouse, telegraph and inn. In 2007, Knut Stone's statue of King Olav V was unveiled here.

Lavik

The main ferry connection over the outer part of the Sognefjord, since it started in 1955, had Lavik as a ferry dock on the north side of the Sognefjord. Lavik is an old church town. There has been a church here since 1100.

Sognefjorden

 Sognefjorden is called the King of the Fjords, for a good reason. It's the worlds longest ice free fjord, extends more than 200 km inland to the foot of the Jotunheimen mountains, and it's more than 1300 meters deep in parts. The Sognefjord has many branches which again have their own names. The most famous of these are Aurlandsfjord, Fjærlandsfjord, Lustrafjord and Nærøyfjord which is on the Unesco World Heritage List. The Sognefjord is enveloped with exceptional natural beauty, dramatic mountains, waterfalls and unique cultural attractions. The fjord area is said to be one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world. National Geographic Traveler magazine has called this area "the world's most iconic destination". 

Balestrand and Kvikne Hotel

Kvikne Hotel in Balestrand, built in the 19th century and is the most famous building in Balestrand. The Kvikne family, who own the place, took it over in 1877. Since then the establishment has undergone constant development which continues to this day. There are many new buildings and remodeling and expansion projects have been carried out. Today, the hotel is a highly modern facility resounding with tradition and culture. With 200 rooms, it is also one of Norway's largest fine hotels catering to tourists. An impressive collection of art and historical pieces is a central feature of the hotel's interior, and one of the elements of its distinct personality. Kviknes Hotel was made popular for European visitors in the early part of the 20th century by Kaiser Wilhelm II, who often visited there during his summer vacations prior to World War I. The Kaiser is accompanied on the list by a number of emperors, kings, presidents, Prime ministers, film stars, and artists from many countries

Aurland

Aurland is located on the south side of the Sognefjorden. The administrative center is the village of Aurlandsvangen. The earliest inhabitants lived by hunting and fishing until they gradually started farming about 2,000 years ago. Agriculture is still important with the rich valley floors and abundant mountain pastures. As in all of western Norway, the area was overpopulated in the middle 19th century, and cotters were forced to clear land far up the mountainsides. This difficulty led to emigration and in the 20-year period after 1845, 1,050 people moved out of the community—most of them moving to America. Tourism came to the community as early as the middle of the 19th century, in the form of sport fishing and hunting. Tourists from England were dominant during this time and one can still find English names for mountaintops, hunting cabins, and fishing holes.

Flåm

Flåm is a village in Flåmsdalen valley, at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjord—a branch of the Sognefjord. The village of Flåm has since the late 19th century been a tourist destination. It currently receives more than 1 million visitors a year. Most ride the 20-kilometre (12 mi) Flåm Railway between Flåm and Myrdal, one of the steepest railway on normal tracks in the world. A former rail station building in Flåm now houses a museum dedicated to the Flåm railway. The harbour of Flåm receives some 160 cruise ships per year. 

Kjosfossen Waterfall

Kjosfossen waterfall is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway. Its total fall is around 225 metres (738 ft) and here is a small power station on the waterfall which is used to power the Flåm Line railway. The waterfall is located about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) northeast of Myrdal Station and Flåm Railway passes directly in front of and over the upper part of the waterfall. During the main tourist season in the summer an actress dressed as a legendary Huldra (a seductive forest creature in Scandinavian folklore) dances and sings in front of the waterfall as the trains enter the station for the amusement of the tourists.   

Flåm Railway

The Flåm Railway is a 20.2-kilometer (12.6 mi) long railway line between Flåm and Myrdal. A branch line of the Bergen Line, it runs through the valley of Flåmsdalen and connects the mainline with Sognefjord. The line's elevation difference is 866 meters (2,841 ft); it has ten stations, twenty tunnels and one bridge. The maximum gradient is 5.5 percent (1:18). Because of its steep gradient and picturesque nature, the Flåm Line is now almost exclusively a tourist service and has become the third-most visited tourist attraction in Norway. Construction of the line started in 1924, with the line opening in 1940. It allowed the district of Sogn access to Bergen and Oslo via the Bergen Line. Electric traction was taken into use in 1944.

Bergen Railway

The Bergen Railway is a 496 kilometres (308 mi) long scenic standard gauge railway line between Bergen and Oslo. It is the highest mainline railway line in Northern Europe, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau at 1,237 metres (4,058 ft) above sea level. The railway opened from Bergen to Voss in 1883 as the narrow Voss gauge line. In 1909 the route was continued over the mountain to Oslo and the whole route converted to standard gauge and the Voss Line became part of the Bergen Line. The Flåm Railway remains as the only branch line, after the closure of the Hardanger Line.   

Voss

Voss is a municipality in Vestland county, and the administrative center is the village of Vossevangen. Voss is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes and fast-flowing whitewater rivers. This has led to its development as a notable center of skiing, watersport, skydiving, paragliding and other adventure sports. Every year in the last week of June the area hosts the Ekstremsportveko (Extreme Sports Week), which is regarded as the world's premier extreme sport festival. Bømoen, the local airstrip, is home to Skydive Voss, one of the largest dropzones in Norway, as well as a gliding club. The rivers provide various levels of white water, attracting kayaking, rafting and river boarding. Kite surfing and para-bungee may be seen on lake Vangsvatnet. The ski area, to the north of the town, is accessible via a cable car, Voss Gondol.