On May 23rd we took the Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen) from Oslo (altitude 75′, 23m) to Myrdal (2,844′, 867m). The line crosses the Hardanger Plateau of Norway (Hardangervidda) at 4,058′ (1,237m) above sea level.
All these pictures were taken through the window glass from the train. Some by me and some by Tim. The scenery was so utterly breathtaking we took turns trying to capture it on camera and then sitting back to enjoy the panorama for a spell.
I was starting to get the feeling I was unprepared for the weather on this trip. Many passengers were bundled up in winter clothing and some got off at various stops carrying their skis. Apparently Norway was also having a late and cold spring.
Little did we know that there had been an avalanche the night before which was blocking the track between Myrdal and Bergen. No one was hurt. It didn’t affect us, though, because we were getting off in Myrdal. But I think everyone going to Bergen got off in Myrdal, too, and made the next train ride down to FlÃ¥m more crowded than it otherwise might have been.
5.23.15 ~ Hardangervidda, Norway
As dreamy as the scenery was, when we got off the train at Myrdal Station it was startlingly COLD!!! Fortunately we didn’t have to wait too long for the next train.
Next stop: Flåm Railway from Myrdal to Flåm.
Have the trees been cut down or is that the northernmost tree line ? I love the barren, bleak look. So striking and lovely. What a trip you had.
For nearly 60 miles the railway is above the tree line. I later learned that the average snowline in Norway is at about 3,ooo’ so the snow is up there pretty much year-round. It’s strange to have snow in a place where there is so much summer light. I love the desolate look, too.
Your photos are wonderful. So amazing to see all that snow in June.
Thank you, Rosie. The snow was so unexpected, I was in awe of the dreamlike place I found myself that day.
So is this spring in Norway?!! The house looks so isolated, there are no roads to see, how do people live in these places? It’s just too mind boggling for this Australian to imagine. But oh, what beautiful scenery it is. 🙂
Well, spring in the mountains anyway. 🙂 In the days to come when we were down in the fjords at sea level it was striking to see all the green leaves and white blossoms of spring, back-dropped with snow capped mountains. Not sure if people live in these houses year-round.
I hope you will be adding those photos Barbara, it sounds beautiful. 🙂
Indeed, I will be, Joanne. It may take me all summer to select them, though, we took over 4,000 pictures on this trip!
beautiful, thanks for sharing your trip, I’ve never seen so much snow…big Wow!!
You’re welcome, Tai, it’s nice to have you along. And to think, so much snow in the month of May!
Wonderful photos! The landscape is majestic in its snow cover. But to live there…no way 🙂
Thank you, Tiny! I’m attached to living by the sea so the snowy mountains are a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there, either. 🙂
Amazing photos – I got a chill, and it’s 80 degrees out right now! You do wonder if people lived in those snowed-in places all year long. Then again, much of our N.E. neighborhood looked quite snowed UNDER this past February. 🙂
I was amazed too, Pam, by the extra cold and extra snowy winter we had here in New England. Did you see that there was a pile of plowed snow in Boston that has still not finished melting yet? My little garden was buried for well over a month. 🙂
It looks like Vanilla ice cream has fallen everywhere. My crazy mind… Very nice photography, Barbara. <3
You have a metaphoric mind, Sonali! I love the vanilla ice cream imagery. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words, my friend.