🚞 Why you should include the Raumabanen railway in your itinerary

Raumabanen is a short but one of the most cinematic lines in Norway. The train runs from Dombås through the Romsdalen valley to the fjord town of Åndalsnes, following the turquoise Rauma River, past the sheer wall of Trollveggen, stone arch bridges and waterfalls. In ~1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, you get a concentrated dose of Norwegian scenery without having to rent a car — the perfect addition to your trip around the country.

🧭 What is this route and where does it go?

• Route: Dombås ↔ Åndalsnes (round trip). Dombås is a junction on the Oslo–Trondheim railway line; it is easy to get there by regular train, change to the Raumabanen and descend to the fjord.
• Landscape: the deep valley of Romsdalen, the Rauma river, the peaks of Romsdalsalpene, tunnels, galleries and arch bridges.
• Highlights of the line: the Trollveggen rock face, the Kylling stone bridge over the canyon, and the waterfalls at Verma.

🏆 7 reasons to include Raumabanen in your itinerary

1. Postcard views without steering wheels or traffic jams. You ride, and outside the window are waterfalls, gorges and mountain walls.
2. Access to the heart of Romsdalen. Upon arrival in Ondalsnes, there are viewing platforms and trails within walking distance.
3. Ideal connection. Easy to fit in between Oslo/Trondheim and the coast (or Alesund/Geiranger along the way).
4. Photo stops during the season. Summer trains often slow down/stop at key sights — the conductor announces this in advance.
5. Year-round. Summer — greenery and noisy waterfalls; autumn — golden slopes; winter — snowy peaks.
6. Engineering beauty. Stone arch bridges and a road carved into the canyon.
7. Many complementary activities. Romsdalsgondolen, Rampestreken, Trollstigen road (seasonal), fjord cruises.

🗺️ The route: key sections

• Dombås → Bjorli. Forests and mountain meadows, a gentle climb through the valley.
• Bjorli → Verma. Canyons, waterfalls and arched bridges appear.
• Verma → Kylling Bridge. One of Norway's most photogenic stone bridges over the Rauma gorge.
• Romsdalen → Trollveggen. A narrow valley, sheer cliffs, a ‘wow effect’ from the window.
• Inn i Åndalsnes. The finish line is by the water, with mountains forming a ‘wall’ around the station.

💡 The direction doesn't matter. It's beautiful in both directions; if you combine it with hiking/sightseeing, stay overnight in Åndalsnes.

🌤️ When to go

• May–September: green slopes, powerful waterfalls, long daylight hours.
• October: dramatic fog, golden foliage, fewer people.
• November–March: snowy panoramas and crystal-clear air; short days, platforms may be slippery.
• April: a mix of seasons — snow at the top and spring at the bottom.

Where to sit and how to take photos

• Sides of the carriage: the views ‘roll’ on both sides; choose a clean window without scratches or glare.
• Photo stops: keep your camera ready — at Kylling and opposite Trollveggen, the train often slows down or stops during the season.
• Anti-glare: shoot at an angle to the glass, place a cloth or buff on the lens, and turn off the flash.
• On the platforms: the decking may be wet; shoes with treads are a must.

🎫 Logistics: how to fit it into a longer trip

• From Oslo or Trondheim: train to Dombås → change to Raumabanen → Åndalsnes.
• Further along the road: from Åndalsnes, seasonal buses run to Trollstigen and towards Geiranger; year-round — to Ålesund.
• Combo days: add a trip on the Romsdalsgondolen (cable car to the top of Nesaksla) or a hiking route to Rampestreken (see blocks below).

📏 Key facts (guidelines)

• Length of the route: ~114 km.
• Travel time: ~1 hour 40 minutes – 2 hours one way.
• Elevation difference: from the high mountains of Dombos to sea level in Ondalsnes (≈ 650+ m).
• Route highlights: Trollveggen, Kylling Bridge, Vermafossen Waterfalls, Rauma River.
• Seasonality: all year round; photo stops are more frequent during the warmer months.

🧗 Things to do in Ondalsnes (additions to the train)

• Romsdalsgondolen → Nesaksla. A quick lift to a panoramic view of the fjord; there is a café and viewing trails at the top.
• Rampestreken. Hiking trail to the glass platform — ‘wow’ above the city (shoes with treads required).
• Romsdalseggen. Summer ridge route (for experienced hikers; weather and time required).
• Waterfront and local history museum. Leisurely walks, views of the mountains and water.

🚘 Trollstigen — famous serpentine road, usually open from late spring to autumn (depending on weather). Combine with a transfer/excursion during the season.

💵 Budget and practical advice

• Tickets: it is more convenient to first select the date/destination, then the connection in Dombos. Demand is high in summer — plan ahead.
• Boarding and seating: arrive at the platform in advance; on some flights, seating is unreserved, so follow the instructions of the staff.
• Luggage: the more compact, the easier. Suitcases go in the storage areas, backpacks go under the seat/on the shelf.
• Food: water and snacks will save you from queues — the views are too good to miss.
• Clothing: layers, membrane, hat/buff all year round; it can be windy on the shore in Ondalsnes.

📸 Photo spots along the way (and how to photograph them)

• Kylling Bridge. Stone arch over the canyon — shoot with a wide angle; use a short exposure when moving.
• Trollveggen. The wall ‘grows’ out of the train window; combine the panorama with details (river, forest, clouds).
• Rauma River. Turquoise water and white spray — contrasting shots in any weather.

⚠️ Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Trying to ‘guess’ the ‘best’ side of the carriage. There are views on both sides; clean windows and a willingness to move when possible are more important.
• Tight connections. Allow for a buffer in Dombås/Ondalsnes and for seasonal excursions.
• City shoes. Platforms and paths can be wet/slippery. You need soles with tread.
• Plans for Trollstigen in the off-season. The road is not open all year round; check availability on site.
• Underestimating the weather. It changes quickly in Romsdal: layers, membrane, hat — all year round.

🧭 Ready-made route options

⏳ Day 1: ‘train + panorama’

Oslo/Trondheim → Dombås → Ondalsnes (Raumabanen) → ascent on the Romsdalsgondolen → evening train back or overnight stay.

🌄 2 days: ‘with taste’

Day 1: Raumabanen to Ondalsnes, Rampestreken at sunset.

Day 2: Trollstigen (seasonal) or walks by the fjord, return trip.

⛴️ 3–4 days: ‘fjords and serpentines’

Raumabanen → Ondalsnes (overnight) → Trollstigen → Geiranger (cruise/panoramas) → return via Vardal/Alesund or back to the railway.

Conclusion: Raumabanen is a ‘short film’ about Romsdalen: stone arches, a turquoise river, troll walls and a fjord at the end. Include it in your itinerary if you want to see a different, brutal and majestic side of Norway — and get a lot out of a short trip.