Andalsnes , Norway - Rauma railway - Bjorli

Traveling to the Fjords in a couple of weeks and one of the stops is Andalsnes.

Does any one have any advice for DIY trips there? I was looking at the Rauma railway which looks lovely but wondered if any one had done this before.

The ship also offers excursions on the railway but they are very expensive and after looking online looks like DIY is about 1/3 of the price.

What else is there to do in Andalsnes? it looks a pretty small town.

The ship is there all day.

I live not too far away from Åndalsnes, and can probably answer some of your questions. Åndalsnes is a really cute small town, but its the scenery that makes it magnificant! Within 30mins drive you can get to the "Trollveggen" - "The wall of the troll" - one of the highest and wildest vertical mountainwalls in Europe. Right down in the valley, there is a viewing area. You can also get a ride up the famous "Trollstigen" - one of the most famous serpent-roads in Norway. In sentrum of Åndalsnes is not much to do other than stroling in the town. Not far out of centrum is a mountaineering musem that can be interesting for people interested in moutain sports and hiking. It is also poosible to hike some of the smaller mountains in the area. I dont know of any guiding service, but you can maybe find something here.http://www.visitandalsnes.com/index.php?lang=no

I live not too far away from Åndalsnes, and can probably answer some of your questions. Åndalsnes is a really cute small town, but its the scenery that makes it magnificant! Within 30mins drive you can get to the "Trollveggen" - "The wall of the troll" - one of the highest and wildest vertical mountainwalls in Europe. Right down in the valley, there is a viewing area. You can also get a ride up the famous "Trollstigen" - one of the most famous serpent-roads in Norway. In sentrum of Åndalsnes is not much to do other than stroling in the town. Not far out of centrum is a mountaineering musem that can be interesting for people interested in moutain sports and hiking. It is also poosible to hike some of the smaller mountains in the area. I dont know of any guiding service, but you can maybe find something here.http://www.visitandalsnes.com/index.php?lang=no

Option A: Romsdalen Valley & Troll Wall

Andalsnes is the starting point for this trip into terrific landscape. The Romsdal is a partly extreme narrow gorge, where the river Rauma carves its way down to the fjord. Both sides are lined with up to 1800 meter high mountains with a countless number of waterfalls plunging down the mountain sides. Near Horgheim you will stop below the highest vertical mountain wall. Continuing you will be fascinated by the wild, yet also romantic landscape. You reach Bjorli, at 600 meter (1970 feet) above sea level, where the landscape is milder and the valley wider.

Option B: Trollstigen & Norway's Unique Nature

Andalsnes, the alpine town by the Romsdal Fjord at the estuary of Rauma, is the starting point for this trip. You follow the river, which is surrounded by famous mountains like Romsdalshorn (1524 m) and Trolltindane (1828 m). You travel on the Troll Road towards Trollstigheimen. During the photo stop at the waterfall Stegfossen you can enjoy the view of the Ister valley and the surrounding mountains. You continue on the Troll Road; with its 11 bends the road climbs the mountain up to nearly 3000 feet (858 meter) and present a breathtaking view down into the valley and up to the remarkable peaks like Kongen, Dronningen and Bispen. You will travel back towards the valley and reach the Troll Wall.

Have you returned? If yes, what did you end up doing? Thank you

Have you returned? If yes, what did you end up doing? Thank you

Yes just back this afternoon, feeling glum hehe it was so nice.

We had planned to go on the Railway and after looking at the time table and contacting the rail company decided to go on the 9.26 up the hill as the later one didnt go to after 2pm and we couldnt get back before the boat sailed. Were told may be better to book in advance so on the previous day we were in Bergen so attempted to book tickets there. Sadly though the 9.26 was fully booked and so we had to spend the crazy amount of £62 each to go on the ships excursion on the railway instead.

However that being said the trip was well worth it and the railway journey is stunning. The scenery will blow your mind and ive never seen so many waterfalls and so much water in all my life. The ships trip went up on the train and back on the bus so we stopped at two view points on the way back , one at a waterfall and also at the Troll wall.

It was hard to beleive the Troll wall was real its SOO big it looks like some computer generated image out of Lord of the Rings or something lol.

We were lucky with the weather as the sun came out as we travelled along and it was 25 degrees when we got back to Andalsnes :)

The village itself hasnt much to offer. A handful of shops and cafes but the views are to die for so that makes up for it :) Plus sitting on the Boat looking out at the green Fjord water in brilliant sunshine with a drink in your hand aint half bad either :)