8 Train Routes That Have Become World Landmarks

1. Flåm Railway, Norway

• The Flam Railway

The Flåm Line, which has been operating since 1940, runs from the small Myrdal station in the Norwegian mountains to the village of Flåm and includes 10 stations. Its length is 20 km, the journey takes about an hour. The starting station can be reached by train from Bergen or Oslo.

The Flåm Railway is one of the most spectacular routes in Norway. It runs through a picturesque area, passing by turbulent rivers with glacial water, waterfalls and rocky mountains covered with snow. In the valleys, colorful houses stand alone, against which tourists like to be photographed.

Admiration is caused not only by the bewitching views, but also by how harmoniously the grandiose engineering structure fits into the Norwegian nature with its unusual landscape. The road climbs in steep turns through the mountainous terrain and passes through 18 tunnels, which were laid by workers manually.

The construction of the road lasted for a long 15 years, and 5 more were required for its arrangement. Those who want to immerse themselves in the history of this route should visit museumlocated in the building of the old railway station in Flåm.

Passengers can not only ride along the branch line, but also enjoy entertainment. At one of the stations near the Kjosfossen waterfall, a small show is put on for travelers. While tourists are admiring the beauty of wild nature, the sound of water is suddenly interrupted by music, and the forest nymph Huldra appears from behind the stones and begins to dance.

Also, from the Vatnahalsen station, the most daring tourists can get to the Flåm zipline, the longest in Scandinavia. Its length is 1381 meters. Here you can take an adrenaline-filled flight and enjoy breathtaking views of the Flåm Valley.

What is important to keep in mind: from May to September there are 9-10 flights per day in each direction. The rest of the year there are four. Round-trip ticket prices start at NOK 680.

2. Train de Pignes, France

• Train des Pignes

Le Train des Pignes translates as "the train from pine conesbecause in the 1930s it was this material from local forests that was used to heat steam locomotives. The train runs through the mountain villages of Provence from Nice to Digne-les-Bains. The length of the route is 150 km, the travel time is 3.5 hours.

Trains depart from the small Gare des Chemins de Fer de Provence station in Nice. From there they follow the so-called Russian Quarter with the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe - the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and head through the suburbs to the mountainous hinterland.

Away from the station are charming villages, towns and olive groves typical of the region between the Alps and the Mediterranean. by sea. From various stops it is possible to go along the marked roads for tourists - there are dozens of them in a small guide of the railway company.

For example, from the station at Puget-Théniers, passengers can travel to the picturesque village of La Croix-sur-Rudoulle, from where the path leads to chestnut forests near the highest point of the line. If time is short, you can get off at Le Chaudan and walk up a steep, winding slope to a road that offers stunning views of the Alps. Between settlements there are stops for hiking routes.

In accordance with the event program, you can choose a thematic composition - dedicated Halloween or other holidays: nature, music or dance. On weekends from May to November, you can ride a train with a steam locomotive, released back in 1909 - a real monument of history!

What is important to keep in mind: Four trains depart daily. You can get off at any station for a walk, and then take the next train again with the same ticket. For visitors to ski resorts in the Southern Alps, combined tickets with transfers and discounted equipment rentals are offered.

3. West Highland Railway, Scotland

• The West Highland Line

This is a branch that is part of the general system of railways in Scotland. Travel time: from Glasgow to Oban - 3.5 hours, to Fort William - 3 hours 50 minutes, to Mallaig - 5.5 hours.

In 2009 West Highland was recognized by Travel Wanderlus magazine the most scenic train line in the world. This is the same road that the heroes of the Harry Potter saga traveled to Hogwarts. One of the carriages of The Jacobite steam locomotive is decorated exactly like in the movies - it even has a cart with sweets.

The composition passes through the most popular, especially among fans of science fiction films, sights - the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It is located in the middle of a deep valley next to Loch Shiel. The curved shape gives the bridge a special charm and beauty.

At the terminal station in Mallaig, you can visit a fish restaurant or climb the mountain and see the harbor, as well as visit the islandswhere fur seals live.

And there is also a museum dedicated to the history of the railway, and signal boxes where you can try yourself as a signalman. The museum has its own hostel in an old 1950s carriage and a dining car.

What is important to keep in mind: You can save up to 60% if you book your tickets early - they are usually available 12 weeks before your trip.

4. Tourist road in Montserrat, Spain

• Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC)

FGC trains connecting Barcelona and nearby cities are the easiest and most sustainable way to get to one of the most iconic parts of Catalonia, Montserrat. The journey from the center of Barcelona to the sanctuary takes only an hour and a half: 60 minutes by train, transfer and 20 minutes by rack railway to cremalier with covered wagons and panoramic windows. The length of the line is 5 km.

Opposite the end station is an information center where you can take an audio guide that operates on the territory of the Cathedral and the Museum of Montserrat. There are also funiculars nearby where you can get there to other religious sites, tourist attractions and enjoy scenic views.

From the monastery of Montserrat, funiculars move in two directions. San Joan goes upstairs. There, tourists can walk along one of the hiking trails along the upper zone of Montserrat. And the Santa Cova funicular moves to the foot mountains.

What is important to keep in mind: trains run every day from Barcelona Plaça España Central Station to Montserrat. In order not to waste time buying coupons for each type of transport separately, you can buy combined all-inclusive tickets from vending machines - for the metro, train, railway and funiculars. Discount vouchers are also available at the box office, which can be used upon arrival at Montserrat Monastery.

5. Grand Tour of Switzerland

• Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

The railway line includes 1,280 km of track that winds throughout Switzerland. The tour covers 44 attractions, 11 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The route passes through 51 cities and along 22 lakes.

In particular, you can see the majestic mountains of the Bernese Alps, Chillon lock and the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, stretching along the shores of Lake Geneva with turquoise water.

With the purchase of one Swiss Travel Pass, you can get off the train and continue your journey as you wish for 3-15 days. Tickets also include free admission to 500 museums across the country.

Tourists can stop for mountain excursions, walks in Zurich, Montreux or Schaffhausen with charming fortress of Munot - this small town is located near the famous Rhine waterfall.

There is an official app with a brief overview of interesting places, travel tips and upcoming excursions. You can also get a booklet with a wish list for each itinerary and fun facts about Swiss cities and towns. attractions - everything for an unforgettable, eventful trip!

What is important to keep in mind: it will take at least 7 days to travel there and back, at least 5 hours are spent on the road every day. As the tour also passes through five alpine passes, there is no guarantee that the itinerary will be available all year round, as the weather there can change rapidly. The recommended travel time is the summer season from April to October.

6. Dartmoor Railway, England

• The Dartmoor Line

This is a historic railway line between cities in Great Britain, restored in 2021 as part of the state program. Its length is 25 km. Travel time from Oakhampton to Exeter is approximately 40 minutes.

The railroad passes through the Dartmoor National Park with its majestic majestic castles, granite cliffs and vast moorlands rich in flora and fauna. In addition, this is the only place in England where wild camping is allowed.

Oakhampton is the starting point of a popular 21km walk or bike trail that takes you into the heart of Dartmoor North. While exploring the park, tourists may encounter semi-wild ponyliving here since time immemorial.

The route has a guide website with a convenient schedule and route map. At the stations there is a ticket machine, bike parking and bike rental, a cafe, a shop, a museum and much more.

What is important to keep in mind: trains run every day once an hour. Tourists have a wide choice of further journeys through transfers. For example, five other cities can be reached from Oakhampton in 1-3 hours by train, including London and Bristol.

7. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, USA

• The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The railroad connects the two small towns of Durango and Silverton in the US state of Colorado. And it's one of the most scenic railroad routes in the United States, declared national historical monument.

On both sides of the railroad is the San Juan Historical Park. Traveling along the Animas River in semi-open cars, passengers can literally touch the rocky walls of mountains and canyons.

From May to October, tourists have the opportunity to explore San Juan and the Weminuche wilderness: here you can not only enjoy walks in the mountain and subalpine forests, but also to see various wild animals - elks, lynxes, black bears, mountain lions, coyotes and others.

Passengers are provided with several entertainment packages that will fill the journey with atmosphere adventure: ATV, jeep or snowmobile ride, rafting, tour of the historic Silverton Mine and not only. An important point: they cannot be purchased online.

What is important to keep in mind: a one-way trip will take 3.5 hours, you can also purchase a 9-hour round-trip tour with a two-hour stop.

8. Bernina Express, Switzerland - Italy

• Bernina Express

The train runs from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. Travel time: 4 hours. In addition to the beauties of the Alpine landscapes, tourists are waiting for unforgettable impressions from narrow-gauge railways: most of the route - the Rhaetian railway - is included in list UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The famous landmark of the route is the curved Langwasser Viaduct, which runs between the mountains through the river of the same name. These are six huge arches that form a curved railway bridge between them.

On the way along the Bernina Pass, you can see the highest mountain of the same name in the Eastern Alps and the Monteratsch glacier, then - mountain lakes and Swiss towns. landscapes will suddenly change when the train descends to the palm trees of sunny Italy.

Panoramic train allows you to enjoy breathtaking views. You can use the audio guide, as well as continue the journey on the Bernina Express bus to experience even more Italian flavor.

What is important to keep in mind: From May to October, the train leaves four times a day, the rest of the time - twice a day.