Enjoy some of the world’s best train journeys

2. The Flåm Line

The fact that it's one of the most famous railways in the world, despite its brief duration of about an hour, says a lot about the Flåm Line and the views it offers along the way. Every year, more than half a million travellers are spellbound by the steep journey from Myrdal station down to the village of Flåm, located in the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord.

“The Flåm Line has gorgeous views in fair weather. With dramatic waterfalls, rivers, valleys and mountains, this stretch is for many the very definition of Norwegian nature,” says Østlund.

As a lifelong lover of trains, Østlund particularly appreciates the technical aspects of the antique trains on the Flåm Line.

“Above all, the Flåm Line is a technical masterpiece. Due to the steep ascent from 0 to 866 metres above sea level, two locomotives are required – one in front and one behind the train, and every carriage is rigged with a special brake system,” he explains.

4. The Rauma Line

Østlund calls The Rauma Line one of Norway’s “most beautiful and wildest railway lines”. The 114-kilometre stretch will always have a special place in his heart.

“From Bjorli and down to Åndalsnes you will experience some of the most jaw-dropping scenery this side of Switzerland. In my opinion, it might be the most beautiful stretch of land this country has to offer,” he says.

The ride lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Highlights include the Romsdalen valley, the Trollveggen rock face, and the unique Kylling bridge. If you travel with the Dovre Line, you will have easy access to the Rauma Line via Dombås station.

You can also take a guided tour on the line with The Golden Train roundtrip, which has regular departures from Åndalsnes station. After your trip, enjoy a gondola ride to the top of Nesaksla mountain in Åndalsnes where you can enjoy lunch or dinner at Eggen Restaurant.

6. The Sørland Line

Although the eight-hour journey between Oslo and Stavanger may not have the wild reputation of its northern equivalents, the Sørland Line is still a more pleasant and picturesque alternative to driving if you are going to the “happy south”.

The train passes many family-friendly destinations, including the biggest water park in Scandinavia, Bø Sommarland in Telemark, and Kristiansand, known as the summer capital of the south, with its many great beaches and family attractions such as Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park.

“Many picture a train track right along the water’s edge, but large parts of the Sørland Line were built inland to avoid wartime bombardment. It’s actually not until you approach Egersund that you can see the ocean. Before that, it's mostly valleys and forests. From Nelaug, there is a branch that runs to Arendal, with beautiful views along the way,” says Østlund.

8. The Ofoten Line

Called “the eighth wonder of the world” when it was first built, the Ofoten Line is Norway’s northernmost train line. This old iron ore railway goes from Narvik, past Ofotfjord, to the Swedish border. The train glides through beautiful, wild, historic landscape with fantastic views of the fjord, jagged mountain peaks, and cascading waterfalls. The trip to the border takes about an hour, and you can continue south through Sweden to Stockholm and other destinations in Europe.

It's not only the scenery that's awe-inspiring. Traces of the navvies (rallare in Norwegian) who built the railway in the late 1800s create a captivating backdrop for the journey. There are also remnants from the Second World War – much of the fighting during the Battle of Narvik took place close to the railway, which was the export route for Europe’s largest and most important iron ore deposits.

Hop off at Katterat station, which is surrounded by quaint red-painted buildings, and hike back to Rombaksbotn by the fjord, following the beautiful old navvy road Rallarvegen. In summer, guided tours and RIB transport back to Narvik are available. If you love skiing, the Narvikfjellet ski resort is open until May, and in the summer a gondola takes you to the top of the mountain to enjoy the amazing fjord views.