The fjord village of Flam is located in the inner part of the magic Sognefjord – the scenic Aurlandsfjord branch. From Flam there are fjord cruises to the UNESCO World heritage, dramatic Naeroyfjord – the narrow fjord, to the tiny fjord village of Gudvangen. In Flam you can also board the express steamer to Bergen, taking you through the magic Sognefjord, with ports of call in fjord villages such as Leikanger, Balestrand & Vik.
After the Bergen Railway was opened in 1909 Flåm became a crossroads for passengers, post and freight traveling on the trains between Oslo and Bergen and on the steamships on the fjord.
One of the highlights of the Norwegian fjords is the spectacular Flåmsbana railway, travelling up to Myrdal. On the outward journey, the train stops at the Kjosfossen waterfall, in front of which appears the singing and dancing Huldra (a seductive forest creature in folklore – in reality played by Norwegian students). Exit the train at the penultimate station – Vatnahalsen – and have coffee and waffles at the eponymous hotel (open all year round) before setting off back down the valley on a cycle/hiking path. This passes through Kardalfarm where further refreshments can be procured and a herd of accommodating mountain goats enjoy their few moments of photographic fame. Continue down to Berekvam station, where the train is picked up, and return to Flåm.
