Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOGNEFJORDEN
Sognefjorden, the world's second-longest (203km) and Norway's deepest (1308m) fjord,
cuts a deep slash across the map of western Norway. In places, sheer walls rise more than
1000m above the water, while elsewhere a gentler shoreline supports farms, orchards and
villages. The broad, main waterway is impressive but by cruising into its narrower arms,
such as the deep and lovely Nærøy-fjord to Gudvangen, you'll see idyllic views of abrupt
cliff faces and cascading waterfalls.
Getting There & Away
Fjord1 (57 75 70 00;
www.fjord1.no
, in Norwegian)
operatesadailyexpressboatbetween
BergenandbothFlåm(Nkr665,5½hours)andSogndal(Nkr570,4¾hours),stoppingalong
the way at 10 small towns including Vik (Nkr450, 3½ hours) and Balestrand (Nkr485, 3¾
hours). Several local ferries also link Sognefjord towns, and there's an extensive, if infre-
quent, bus network.
Flåm
POP 550
Flåm,attheheadofAurlandsfjorden,sitsinatrulyspectacularsetting.Asastoponthepop-
ular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour, this tiny village receives over 500,000 visitors every year.
It has its charm but its tacky side too: should you so wish, you can pick up a pair of panties
decorated with the Norwegian flag or a set of plastic elk antlers.
The
tourist office ( 57 63 33 13;
www.alr.no
;
8.30am-4pm & 4.30-8pm Jun-
Aug, shorter hr rest of yr)
is within the train station, where you'll also find four internet
terminals.
Sights
Flåmsbana Railway
CLASSIC RAIL JOURNEY
(
www.flaamsbana.no
; adult/child one-way Nkr240/ 115, return Nkr340/230)
This
20km-longengin-eering wonderhaulsitself up864mofaltitude gainthrough20tunnels.At
a gradient of 1:18, it's the world's steepest railway that runs without cable or rack wheels.
