Finse: Railway Station, Rallarvegen and Mountain Hikes

Finse connects the Bergen Railway with paths and tours in the high mountains. Finse Station is Norway’s highest railway station, at an altitude of 1,222 metres. There is no road to Finse: the area can only be reached by train, bicycle or on foot. This makes choosing how to get there one of the first things to consider when planning your trip. From the station, it is only a short walk to Finsehytta and the starting point for tours to Hardangerjøkulen.

Rallarvegen and the legacy of the Bergen Railway

The 82-kilometre Rallarvegen starts in Haugastøl, passes through Finse, Hallingskeid and Myrdal, and ends in Flåm. The route follows the historic Bergen Railway and also runs alongside the Flåm Railway. It was built in the late 19th century for the construction of the Bergen Railway; historic stone structures, such as centuries-old bridges and sturdy walls, shape its character along the way. Rallarvegen can also be explored on foot and is suitable for walks with a pushchair. Surface and weather conditions can vary.

In Finse, the Rallar Museum tells the story of the railway and its construction. It is housed in Østre Lokstall and features the exhibition “The Battle Against the Snow,” with historic snow-clearing equipment. The exhibition shows how the high-altitude railway section was kept open during winter. Another exhibition covers the history of railway construction from 1894 to 1909 and includes an authentic blacksmith’s workshop and a construction workers’ barracks.

Ski and hiking routes from Finse

There are various routes for winter outings. The 15-kilometre Klemsburunden starts at Finse Station and loops back to the start. It first heads north between Lille Finsenut and Jomfrunuten to Klemsbu, where simple refreshments are available on winter weekends. Snow conditions and grooming may vary. The 23-kilometre Jøkulrunden crosses Hardangerjøkulen to the summit of Norway’s sixth-largest glacier and is considered a spring classic in Finse. Snow and weather conditions can vary here too.

Longer hikes can be distinguished by their routes and duration. A three-day hike around Hardangerjøkulen runs from Finsehytta via Rembedalseter and Kjeldebu, returning to Finsehytta. The car-free hike in the northern part of Hardangervidda also takes three days: it leads from Finsehytta via Kjeldebu and Krekkja to Haugastøl. Hikes also head south into Hardangervidda and north into Skarvheimen from Finsehytta. The route descriptions provide different points of reference for planning your route and estimating the time required.

Glaciers and views

Hardangerjøkulen is a destination in several seasons: in winter, ski tours through the snowy landscape are possible; in summer, you can take glacier hikes to the ice-blue formations. Tours to the glacier start from Finse. Guided glacier tours are offered at Blåisen, five kilometres from Finsehytta; access and tours are seasonal.

Another way to get your bearings in the mountain landscape is to visit Vesle Finsenut. The trail starts at Finsehytta, heads west along Rallarvegen and crosses the railway line through a tunnel; from there, a small path climbs to Vesle Finsenut. When visibility is good, the summit offers views of Hardangerjøkulen, the ridges of Hallingskarvet and the mountains around Finse. Visibility and trail conditions can vary with the weather and the season.

The area around Finsehytta is usually covered in snow until the end of May, although snow conditions vary from year to year. This seasonal difference shapes the choice between winter ski activities and hikes in the mountain landscape; check the conditions for specific tours before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Aurlandsvangen, Undredal, Gudvangen, Aurland, Flåm, Stålheim.

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