Norway in a Nutshell Tour: A Review

Often cited as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, the Oslo-Bergen railway is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Norway’s best scenery. It is a symphony of elements, in which earth, water, air, and fire (represented by the sun) are harmoniously combined.

After passing through the forests of southern Norway, the train ascends to the snow-capped Hardangervidda Plateau and then continues down through the pretty woodlands around Voss and on into Bergen. At first, I did not believe the advertising of Norway in a Nutshell. But I was wrong because the scenery is truly breathtaking.

Setting amid a picturesque coastal landscape of seven fjords and seven mountains, Bergen is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The son of Harald Sigurdsson, King Olav Kyrre founded this city in the early 11th century. He named it Bjørgvin which means ‘the green meadow among the mountains.

For centuries, it served as a major trading center in northern Europe. Its focal point is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed waterfront of Bryggen, an archaic tangled of wooden buildings dating back to the 13th century. Properties of the powerful Hanseatic League for over 400 years, were filled with goods such as stockfish from northern Norway and cereal from Europe.

Inscribed on the prestigious World Heritage List in 2005 by UNESCO, Nærøyfjorden is perhaps the most well-known fjord in Norway and certainly one of its finest. Its name derives from the Norse god Njord, who rules over the sea and seafaring. This arm of Sognefjorden is only 18 kilometers long and it stretches between Gudvangen and the mountain Beitelen.

With merely 250 meters at its narrowest point, it is the narrowest natural attraction in Norway. The deep blue fjord is surrounded by towering high cliffs, some even reaching over 1400 meters, hanging valleys, and waterfalls plummeting from the height. A handful of hamlets and meadows are added to this dramatic landscape, making it even more picturesque.

Tucked between imposing mountains, lush green valleys and deep blue fjord, the village of Flåm is a gem of Norway in a Nutshell. Since the 19th century, this charming hamlet at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjorden – another branch of the vast Sognefjorden – has been a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors annually.

The town is connected to Gudvangen via catamarans, or to Myrdal via the 20-kilometer Flåmsbana Railway – the world’s steepest railway tracks that run without cable or rack wheels. During this amazing train journey, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of Flåm where rivers cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascade down the sides of steep and mountain farms clinging dizzily to the cliffs.