Norway in a Nutshell Tour
A description and images from our Trip on the Norway in a Nutshell Tour
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 10/20/2024
Fjords are formed when glaciers retreat from an area of land between mountains. Water fills the space creating deep narrow inlets. The larger inlets connect to the ocean and are filled with salt water. There are some fjords that are smaller that are connected to a large lake and filled with fresh water. Visiting fjords was on the top of our list for this trip and we chose to take the popular Norway in a Nutshell tour to experience both the beauty of the Norwegian countryside and to experience some Norwegian fjords first hand.
Some Useful Facts about Norway in a Nutshell
We have a friend who grew up in Norway and he told us that seeing the Norwegian countryside and fjords by car is an amazing way to
get a more immersive experience if you have the time and don’t mind driving. For our first trip to Norway which involved several
other countries in three weeks time
(click here to view our "Fjords, Windmills, Mountains & Lakes" trip overview page) we opted for the “touristy” option. We weren’t
disappointed and it allowed us to see the beauty there and to consider additional trips in the future. We found Bergen to be a
beautiful city and a nice surprise on our last few days in Norway.
NOTE 1: Please be aware that we did not have more time to stay in Norway, nor did we want to rent a vehicle. This meant that taking the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour was a good solution for the amount of time we had available, and it allowed us to not require a vehicle. If you have more time, and you want to adventure longer in Norway, then you should look into how to rent a vehicle and how to drive to the locations described on this page.
NOTE 2: Doing the Norway in a Nutshell in one day creates a very long day of travel. We departed Oslo early in the morning and it was in the early evening by the time we reached our hotel in Bergen. Yes, this was what we only had time for, but it is a long day and you should be aware that you have to be careful of the Flam connections in order to get to Bergen before midnight!
What is "Norway in a Nutshell"? It is a tour package that is operated by Fjord Tours. The tour can start in Oslo, Bergen, Voss or Flåm and end at one of its other destinations - check their website for more detailed information.
What kind of tour is "Norway in a Nutshell"? It is not a traditional guided tour; for a standard Norway in a Nutshell itinerary you will receive tickets for each part of your journey, and details of the itinerary you’ve chosen. It is up to you to get yourself to the right bus, train or boat at the right time. If you really wanted a guided tour, they are available via a Google Search.
How long is the Norway in a Nutshell tour? The Norway in a nutshell tour can be done in one long day or two days or more. The Norway in a Nutshell itinerary is flexible and allows you to book the transportation that will get you from place to place. Once you’ve booked transportation you are essentially executing the Norway in a Nutshell tour on your own. You should note that the longest train ride of the tour is from Oslo to Myrdal, approximately 4.85 hours.
Where does the Norway in a Nutshell tour start? You can start from Oslo or Bergen, Voss, Geilo or Flam. We started our tour in Oslo and ended in Bergen and opted to do it all in one day.
Where can you book the Norway in a Nutshell tour? We booked our tour in advance online. We would suggest that you do it online & in advance as well, if you wait to make reservations then you may find that the dates you prefer are not available.
Was Norway in a Nutshell worth it? Absolutely! The tour allowed us to see and experience the natural beauty of Norway all in a day. We spent the day with our jaws wide open in awe. We highly recommend it for first time visitors. In addition, we found both Oslo and Bergen to be delightful cities worth more in depth visits.
Could I drive from Oslo to Flam? Yes, it is a 313 kilometer drive and is mostly a two lane highway. We briefly considered driving, but the train allowed us to relax and watch the beautiful scenery go by. Besides which, Bergen is another 170 kilometers from Flam and that was our desired end-point.
More Info for Norway in a Nutshell
- Tickets: Here is the link to the Norway in a Nutshell Prices and entry times page.
- Google Reviews for the Flam Railroad
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Click the video poster image to view our trip to Flam. If you only have a few days to spend in Norway, the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour can be a great way to pack in a lot of Norway in a short time. This Just Traveling Thru video describes our Norway 3 day trip and 3 day itinerary that describes how to take the “Norway in a Nutshell” tour offered by fjordtours.com. This Norway tour goes from Oslo to Bergen, taking the Flam railway, traversing two fjords with an entire day to explore Oslo's top sites and a day to explore Bergen's top sites as well. Norway has much more to offer but if you only have a short time consider this trip to see some of the best tourist places in Norway.
Norway in a Nutshell Route
Click Image to view a larger Google MapStep 1: Train from Oslo to Myrdal, nearly 5 hours in length and you get to see some beautiful geography. Click here to view our Oslo Page.
Step 2: In Myrdal, we switched trains to the Flam Railroad, AKA "Flamsbana Railway". The descent from Myrdal to Flam is steep, sometimes exceeding 5.5% grade. The train pauses at the Kjosfossen Waterfall, so that the passengers can get pictures and video. Click here to view our Kjosfossen Waterfall content.
Step 3: Once in Flam, we caught a ferry which took us across the Nærøyfjorden and Aurlandsfjorden Fjords and the Nærøydalen valley (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Gudvangen. These fjords are very deep and narrow with the occasional waterfall descending from above. Click here to view our Flam Harbor content.
Step 4: In Gudvangen, we boarded a bus to Voss and transisted the Stalheimskleiva - the steepest Road in Northern Europe. This road twists and turns around 13 hairpin bends as it ascends 1.75 km (1.1 mi) from the Nærøy Valley to the village of Stalheim, with inclines as steep as 20%. Click here to view our Gudvangen content.
Step 5: In Voss, we boarded another train for the final portion of the tour (into Bergen), the direct express train can bring you to Bergen in less than an hour, the "local train" requires approximately a 2.5 hours ride. Click here to view our Bergen page.
Click the above Google Map link (above) to view an interactive map of the entire route.
Myrdal Station Arrival
The Train on the left was the one we rode from Oslo and the right-side tracks were where the Flam Train arrived. We only had to wait perhaps 10 minutes for the Flam Train. One big reason for the train change, is that Flam is at sea level and Myrdal is 2,844.5 feet above sea level. Flam is only 20 kilometers from Myrdal, however the route is one of the steepest standard gauge railway lines in the world, with 80% of the journey running on a gradient of 5.5%.
Myrdal Station, located at 867 meters (2,844 feet) above sea level in the mountains of western Norway, is a remote yet significant railway junction. It sits on the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), which connects Oslo and Bergen, and is the starting point of the scenic Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), one of the steepest railways in the world.
We were excited about going down the hill to the fjord below. There were hikers who rode with us to Myrdal, and they exited the train and started hiking down the hill to Flam. The hiking trail was slightly longer than the train route at 13 miles and is ranked as an easy route.
More Info for Myrdal Station Norway
Image Credits:
- All the above images (unless otherwise noted) are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
Myrdal to Flam Train
This train ride was a one hour, 12 mile route with beautiful scenery all the way down to the harbor. This route took 20 years to build, it has 20 tunnels.
Kjosfossen is a 93 meter tall hourglass-shaped waterfall that is sourced by the Reinunga Lake (Reinungavatnet) near the highland station at Myrdal.
The Kjosfossen waterfall is a breathtaking natural wonder. The waterfall's powerful torrent plunges down a steep cliff, creating a mist that dances in the sunlight.
The train ride from Myrdal to Flåm on the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, offering reathtaking views of Norway's rugged natural landscape. Here are some of the highlights of that train route;
- Myrdal Station is located high in the mountains, at an altitude of about 867 meters (2,844 feet). It’s a remote station on the Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen), a mainline that runs between Oslo and Bergen.
- The journey begins here, as the Flåm Railway connects Myrdal to the fjord village of Flåm, descending steeply over 20 kilometers (12 miles).
- The Flåm Railway is one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world, with a gradient of 5.5% for nearly 80% of the journey. It descends from the high mountain plateau of Myrdal to the fjord-level village of Flåm at just 2 meters (6 feet) above sea level.
- As the train makes its way down, it winds through 20 tunnels, many of which were carved out by hand, and crosses dramatic rivers, waterfalls, and towering cliffs.
- One of the most famous stops along the route is the Kjosfossen Waterfall. The train pauses here, allowing passengers to step out and admire the powerful 93-meter (305-foot) waterfall. In the summer, you might even see a "Huldra," a mythical forest spirit, dancing by the falls as part of a performance staged for tourists. As you approach on the waterfall platform, the thunderous roar of the water fills the air, adding to the awe-inspiring experience.
- As you descend, the rugged terrain transitions into lush green valleys, with steep mountains on either side. The river that follows much of the railway route often appears in rapid torrents or tranquil pools.
- Quaint farmhouses dot the landscape, often perched on impossibly steep slopes, giving you a glimpse of traditional Norwegian rural life.
- The railway itself is a marvel of engineering. Built between 1924 and 1940, the project required an immense amount of labor due to the difficult terrain. The tunnels, in particular, are impressive, with some designed to spiral within the mountains to control the steep descent.
- At one point, the train passes through the Nali Tunnel, where the windows briefly open to stunning views of the valley far below. The Nåli tunnel length is 1,300 meters and required 11 years to construct.
- The journey ends in Flåm, a picturesque village situated at the inner end of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the larger Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. Flåm is a popular tourist destination, offering fjord cruises, kayaking, and hiking opportunities.
Flam Harbor
Flam is a small picturesque village and the end of the Flam Railway. The population in 2014 was just 350 people. There are shops and restrooms and food options while you wait for the water taxi (catamaran) fjord tour to Gudvangen.
Flåm Harbor, located at the end of the Aurlandsfjord in western Norway, is a picturesque and bustling port surrounded by towering mountains and stunning fjord views. It serves as a gateway for visitors exploring Norway’s famous fjords, offering scenic cruises, fjord safaris, and ferry connections.
This cruise ship had come into the Aurlandsfjord from the North Atlantic on the Sognefjord. Aurlandsfjord is a 29 kilometre (18 mi) long fjord branch off of the main Sognefjorden, Norway's longest fjord. The Aurlandsfjord is deep and narrow, reaching a depth of about 962 metres (3,156 ft), and its width is generally less than 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) wide.
There are a number of Cruise Companies that offer cruises that stop in Flam, including; Royal Caribbean, Viking, Cruise Norway, Princess Cruises, etc. This is not a complete list, but you get the idea use Google to read further - or click here to view the 2019 Cruises list.
More Info for Flam, Norway
Image Credits:
- Image # 2 is the property of Palmiped via Wikimedia Commons using the CC BY-SA 3.0 License.
- All other images (unless otherwise noted) are the property of Just Traveling Thru, LLC.
The Amazing Norwegian Fjords
The Aurlandsfjord is deep and narrow, reaching a depth of about 962 metres (3,156 ft) below sea level, and its width is generally less than 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide. About 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) south of the mouth of the Aurlandsfjord, the Nærøyfjord branches off from it to the west.
The Nærøyfjord's steep mountainsides are dotted with cascading waterfalls, lush greenery in summer, and snow-covered peaks in winter. The small, isolated farms and villages along its shores add to its charm, giving visitors a glimpse of traditional Norwegian fjord life.
The Nærøyfjord was also used as an inspiration for Arendelle in the Disney Movie "Frozen".
The Aurlandsfjord stretches about 29 kilometers (18 miles) from the Sognefjord and is known for its dramatic landscape of steep cliffs, deep blue waters, and quaint villages like Flåm and Aurland. It’s a peaceful fjord with scenic views of lush green mountains in summer and snow-capped peaks in winter, making it a year-round attraction. Visitors can explore the fjord by boat, kayak, or hiking, and experience the natural beauty of this tranquil waterway.
The Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is narrower and more dramatic, with some parts as little as 250 meters (820 feet) wide, flanked by cliffs towering over 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) high. This fjord is about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) long and is considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the world. Its steep mountainsides, cascading waterfalls, and remote farms create a breathtaking landscape. Popular for boat tours, the Nærøyfjord offers an immersive experience of Norway's rugged wilderness.
Note that both of these fjords are tributaries of the Sognefjord, which is the deepest fjord in Norway. It reaches a maximum depth of 1,308 meters (4,291 feet) beneath sea level. Located in western Norway, the Sognefjord is also the longest fjord in the country, stretching about 205 kilometers (127 miles) inland from the coast. Known as the "King of the Fjords," it offers dramatic landscapes of steep cliffs, deep waters, and picturesque villages, making it a popular destination for travelers.
The Catamaran Ferry to Gudvangen
Ferry Starboard Side
This was the catamaran ferry that we used to travel from Flam to Gudvangen. It was a comfortable ride due to the twin hulls, and the interior was equipped with comfortable seats.
Because the catamaran had tall wide windows, the view inside of the areas we passed through was excellent.
Ferry Port Side
In this picture, the ferry boat was in the Sognefjord which eventually connects to the North Atlantic. Our ferry took a left turn into the Nærøyfjord to reach Gudvangen. The Nærøyfjorden is one of the narrowest fjords in Europe and is included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
When we arrived at Gudvangen, we boarded a tour bus that took us to the train station in Voss, Norway.
The Gudvangen Arrival
The village in the distance is Gudvangen, and this is what the view looks like as the ferry pulls in coming from Flam. The mountains the ferry boat passed as we motored through the Nærøyfjord are beautiful aren't they?
This fjord is a narrow fjord, and at Bakkasundet only 250 meters wide, while the mountains in the area stretch a full 1,761 meters above sea level. At Bakka on the narrow point, the greatest depth is only 7 fathoms (12 metres), while the fjord inside widens out and goes down to 75 meters (44 fathoms) deep so that the innermost part forms a stream. The fjord can freeze over in cold winters.
NOTE: This image is the property of mcxurxo via Wikivoyage
The Stalheimskleiva - Steepest Road in Northern Europe
Our bus journey took us down the steep and spectacular hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva (the steepest road in Northern Europe). The road has 13 steep (up to 20%) turns. During the bus trip we enjoyed the wonderful views of the Stalheimsfossen and Sivlefossen waterfalls before the journey continued to Voss, where got onboard a train to Bergen.
NOTE: This picture is the property of TommyG via Wikimedia Commons using the Public Domain license.
Voss Station on Bergensbanen in Voss, Norway
After completing the amazing bus ride down the Stalheimskleiva, we eventually arrived in Voss and we had to arrange for tickets to Bergen. Our original tickets were for a much later departure from Flam, and our goal was to reach Bergen in time for dinner.
The train station attendant took care of our switching tickets issue, and we boarded the next Bergen Train in just a few minutes.
NOTE: This picture is the property of Aresenikk via Wikimedia Commons using the Public Domain license.
Useful Links for Flam
- Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
- Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
- Norway in a Nutshell Website
- Flam Article on the 'Wikipedia' site
- Flam Railroad History on the 'Visit Flam' site
- Things to do & see in Flam on the 'Visit Norway' site
- Google Search Results list for "accommodations in Flam"
- Google Search Results list for "restaurants in/or near Flam"
- Stegastein Viewpoint Tour from Flam from the "Get Your Guide" site
- Visit our Youtube Channel
- Our Image Gallery for Flåm
- Wikipedia Article for Flåm
- Google Image Gallery for Flåm
- Google Reviews for Flam, Norway
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