Ofoten Railway

The Ofotbanen was completed in 1902 to carry iron ore from the Swedish mines at Kiruna to Narvik, whose harbour stays ice-free year-round because of the Gulf Stream, and it remains one of the most heavily loaded lines in Europe by tonnage. For passengers it is a short, steep and spectacular ride: forty-three kilometres from sea level at Narvik up to the Swedish border at Riksgransen at about 520 metres, running along the side of the Rombaksfjord with the water far below, through tunnels and over bridges built by navvies in appalling conditions. The Rallarvegen construction path runs alongside parts of it and is walked in summer, and the Norddalsbrua bridge site is a landmark.

History

Construction of the line started in 1898 together with the Ore Line from Riksgränsen to Kiruna, and both were completed in 1902, letting LKAB haul ore from Kiruna to the ice-free port of Narvik. Electrification was planned in 1911 and approved by parliament in 1920, and electric trains began running on 15 May 1923, with the official opening on 10 July (Wikipedia, Ofoten Line).

Highlights

• The fjord shelf - the line running high above the Rombaksfjord.
• The ore trains - heavy freight carrying iron from Kiruna to Narvik.
• The navvy path - the construction route walkable alongside in summer.
• The border climb - the ascent to Riksgransen at the Swedish frontier.

When to go

Year-round for the train, which runs in all seasons; June to September for walking the navvy path alongside, and winter for a journey through deep snow. The line continues into Sweden toward Kiruna and Abisko.

Practical notes

Passenger services are few, only a handful daily, so planning around the timetable is essential. The journey is short and the best views come in bursts. Freight dominates the line and passenger trains can be delayed by it.

Nearby

Narvik and its war museum are at the fjord end; Abisko National Park lies over the border in Sweden.

Key facts