Location: Finse Village
Finse sits at 1 222 m on the highest railway station of the Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen, surrounded by open plateau and arctic tundra.
​
Finse was built around the construction of the Bergen railway in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Since then, it has transformed from a remote workers’ settlement into a base for outdoor enthusiasts, scientists and polar explorers.
The village is completely cut off from roads; In Winter, it can only be accessed via train which gives it a magical and wild feeling.
​
Touring the village with snowshoes
Your guide will help you with snowshoes and poles, then lead you on a hike up one of the small peaks next to the village.
We enjoy the nature on the way up looking out for animal tracks and snow formations and at the top get a view of the village and the Hardangarjøkulen glacier.
Getting to Finse
Finse can only be accessed by train, you can book train tickets at www.vy.no
The tour meets in the waiting area for Finse Stasjon at 11.00am, unless otherwise arranged. This allows you to get the train that arrives in Finse from Oslo at 10.31am.
After the trip
The tour ends at the popular DNT cabin Finsehytta, beautifully located between Hardangerjøkulen and Hallingskarvet and just a short walk (300m) from the station.
Here you can treat yourself to a hot chocolate and a fresh bolle, or taste a local beer from cabin host Rune’s microbrewery in Finse at 1 223 m above sea level (treats in Finsehytta are not included in the price).
After the tour you can catch the train back towards Geilo, Bergen or Oslo, or choose to stay on in Finse for a night of quiet, car‑free wild mountain life.
Accommodation is available at DNT Finsehytta or Hotel Finse 1222.
What to bring
The most important thing is to bring good shoes. Snow shoes do not keep your feet dry or warm so we recommend hiking boots with gaiters or snow boots.
Finse's weather is often wild and windy. But don't be afraid of the weather, our guides are trained to help you be comfortable in bad weather and storms often make the best stories! But to be ok, you must bring the right clothing.
​
Choose layers to wear so you can easily remove them you get warm while walking and add them if you get cold.
You must bring:
-
Footwear to keep your feet warm and dry. No trainers.
-
Windproof pants and jacket. We recommend a jacket with a hood.
-
Hat and gloves.
-
A buff or scarf to protect the face from wind.
-
Thermal base layers for legs and body.
-
Extra warm layers.
-
Some snacks.
-
A small thermos with water or juice for hydration.
-
A backpack to carry your extra layers.
-
From February, bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
-
If it’s windy, goggles are needed to protect the eyes.
