Viking Magazine - November 2022 - 20

The Dovre Line
For family adventurers
The Rauma Line
For ski enthusiasts and hikers
As the train curves along the country's
largest lake, Mjøsa, and passes through
the Gudbrandsdalen valley (where you can
disembark and tour the circa-1220 Ringebu
Stave Church), Rondane and Dovrefj ell
mountain ranges, stay alert because you
might catch a glimpse of the few hundred
musk oxen that roam this mountainous area
(below). When the train stops in Hamar, you
can visit the Norwegian Railway Museum
or Domkirkeodden. Or make a night of it in
Often called Europe's prettiest rail passage, the Rauma Line carries you from the
untamed peaks of the Gudbrandsdalen valley in Dombås to the exquisite fj ord
village Åndalsnes. Highlights include the Romsdal Alps, Trollveggen (which, at
3,609 feet, is the tallest vertical rock face in Europe), Kylling Bridge, Vermafossen
waterfall and the emerald-green Rauma river. Sveberg Dietrichs thinks one of the
best parts of this route is when it runs through the majestic Romsdalen valley and
the high mountain walls are just feet from the track. " The Rauma Line has fantastic
scenery, " he says, " and the end station in Åndalsnes has been upgraded for tourism
the last few years, including a gondola ride up into the mountains. "
Skiers, jump off in the village of Bjorli and try one of several downhill parks, or
take advantage of countless cross-country skiing opportunities. Hikers may heed
the call of the wild on the Tafj ordfj ella mountains or at Reinheimen and Dovrefj ell
National Parks-but should not skip the jaw-dropping trek to the Romsdalseggen
ridge in Norway's mountaineering capital, Åndalsnes.
You'll likely be able to bring your skis and gear on the train, but investigate
beforehand whether or not you'll need to line up storage.
DID YOU KNOW?
A scene in " Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince "
was fi lmed in Bjorli on the Rauma Line.
nearby Brumunddal by booking a room at the
Wood Hotel, which at 282 feet is the tallest
timber building in the world.
After Hamar, the next chance to stretch
your legs is at the Hunderfossen Station. It's a
short walk to Hunderfossen Eventyrpark and
Lilleputthammer. The former is open over half
the year and boasts more than 60 familyfriendly
attractions, including a water park, Ice
Cathedral, go-karts and a Fairytale Castle.
Does careening down rocky slopes on two
wheels get your heart racing? Then hit up the
world-famous Hafj ell Bike Park. Its 19 downhill
trails are lift-accessed and ranked from green
to black, so there's something for all skill
levels. The littles might get a kick out of the
pumptrack, climbing park or gondola ride to
the Mosetertoppen family area.
RAIL STATS
Line: The Dovre Line (Dovrebanen)
Length: 301 miles
Duration: 7 hours
Board/Depart: Oslo & Trondheim
Bragging rights:
Opened in 1921 and crosses the
Dovrefj ell mountain range.
Times & tickets:
entur.no, sj.no, vy.no
20
November 2022
sonsofnorway.com
RAIL STATS
Line: The Rauma
Line (Raumabanen)
Length: 71 miles
Duration: 1 hour,
40 minutes
Board/Depart:
Dombås &
Åndalsnes
Times & tickets:
entur.no, sj.no, vy.no
http://www.entur.no http://www.sj.no http://www.vy.no http://www.vy.no http://www.entur.no http://www.sj.no http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - November 2022
