Finse: Railway, Mountains and Trails

Finse combines an exceptional railway location with trails into the mountain landscape: the station on the Bergen Railway is Norway’s highest railway station, at an elevation of 1,222 metres. You can reach Finse only by train, bicycle or on foot; there is no road to Finse. The Finsehytta is just a short walk from the station and also serves as a starting point for trips to the Hardangerjøkulen. When choosing your holiday apartment, the main consideration is therefore whether you want to experience Finse as a railway destination, a starting point for hikes or a base for snow activities.

The Rallarvegen: Railway and Construction History Along the Way

The 82-kilometre Rallarvegen begins in Haugastøl, passes through Finse, Hallingskeid and Myrdal, and ends in Flåm. The route follows the historic Bergen Railway and runs alongside the Flåm Railway. It was laid out in the late 19th century for the construction of the Bergen Railway. Historic stone structures along the way include centuries-old bridges and sturdy walls. The trail is also suitable for hiking and walks with a pram. So you don’t have to tackle the Rallarvegen as one long route: you can opt for a hike or a walk and learn about its connection to railway history along the way.

Hikes from the Finsehytta

The Finsehytta is a starting point for hikes south into the Hardangervidda and north into the scenic Skarvheimen. Two three-day hikes follow different routes: the route around the Hardangerjøkulen runs from the Finsehytta via Rembedalseter and Kjeldebu, then back to the Finsehytta. A car-free weekend hike in the northern part of the Hardangervidda also takes three days, but runs from the Finsehytta via Kjeldebu and Krekkja to Haugastøl. The different destinations and overnight stops can help you choose a tour that suits your trip, without treating the two routes as a single circular hike.

From the Finsehytta, the trail heads west along the Rallarvegen; after crossing the railway line through a tunnel, a small path climbs towards Lille Finsenut. From the summit of Vesle Finsenut, you can enjoy views of the Hardangerjøkulen, the ridges of Hallingskarvet and the vast mountain landscape around Finse. The trail is unmarked—a detail to bear in mind when planning your trip.

Winter Tours and Glacier Experiences

Several routes are described for winter tours, too. The Jøkulrunden is a 23-kilometre ski tour across the Hardangerjøkulen. It is considered a spring classic in Finse and leads to the summit of Norway’s sixth-largest glacier. Klemsburunden is a 15-kilometre winter circular tour starting from Finse station: it first heads north between Lille Finsenut and Jomfrunuten to Klemsbu, then returns to Finse. Simple refreshments are available at Klemsbu on winter weekends. The stated distances and different route layouts give you concrete points of reference when choosing between a circular tour and a glacier ski tour.

The Hardangerjøkulen is a year-round destination for tours. In winter, ski tours through the snowy landscape are possible; in summer, you can take glacier hikes to ice-blue formations. Routes to the glacier start from Finse. Guided glacier tours are available at Blåisen, which lies five kilometres from the Finsehytta. The snow around the Finsehytta usually remains until the end of May. These seasonal details can help you match your preferred travel dates to your planned activities.

Railway History at the Rallarmuseum

The Rallarmuseum is located in the Østre Lokstall in Finse. Its exhibition on the history of railway construction from 1894 to 1909 includes an authentic forge and a workers’ barracks. The exhibition “The Battle Against the Snow” features historic snow-clearing equipment and explains how the high-altitude section of the railway was kept open in winter. An insight into railway construction and winter operations complements the impressions you’ll take away from the Rallarvegen outdoors. Whether you’d rather spend your days hiking, ski touring or exploring cultural history, Finse offers a different starting point for each.

More destinations: Flåm, Stålheim, Undredal, Aurlandsvangen, Aurland and Gudvangen.

Return to the main travel overview: Aurland.