The Ofot Line is the railway that connects Narvik with the ore, the fjord, the mountains and history. The 43-kilometre-long stretch runs from Narvik towards the national border, through a raw landscape where industrial history, war history and Arctic nature are close to the tracks.
The Ofot Line is more than a railway line. It is part of the very foundation of Narvik as a city. From Narvik, the line goes east along the fjord and further up towards the high mountains, with a climb almost all the way to Bjørnfjell station. Along the way, you will encounter a landscape where tracks, tunnels, bridges and vertical mountainsides tell of both raw nature and the human will to tame the elements.
The line was built to transport iron ore from northern Sweden to the ice-free port of Narvik. During the construction period, navvies came to the area to work on the line, and at its peak, over 5,000 people worked on the project. The Ofot Line opened in 1902 and was electrified in 1923. Today, it is still an important transport artery for ore, goods and passengers.
During World War II, control of the ore railway was crucial. Much of the fighting during the battles for Narvik took place along the railway, and the Norddal Bridge remains as a clear cultural monument from a time when the railway had great military and strategic importance.
Today, the Ofot Line can be experienced in several ways. The Arctic Train runs all year round, the Northern Lights Train runs in the winter, and the Midnight Sun Train runs in the summer. SJ's daily scheduled train between Stockholm and Narvik is also an option for those who want to reach the stations in the high mountains and only travel one way. The history can also be explored further at Narvik Museum or on foot along the Navvy Road, where you get close to traces of construction work, war history, mighty waterfalls and fjord landscapes.
Accessibility information
- Wheelchair accessible
How to get there
The starting point for the train journeys is Narvik train station. The Arctic Train and the Midnight Sun Train go towards Bjørnfjell, while the Northern Lights Train stops at Katterat station along the Ofoten Line. To see trains in the cityscape, guests can visit the area by Narvik station and Narvik Museum. Norddalsbrua can be seen from the train or reached on foot via the Navvy Road
Source: Visit Narvik AS