Ålesund, Runde and the Rauma Railway – six days in Norway

The Art Nouveau façades of Ålesund, the coastal scenery of Runde, and a train journey through the mountains of Romsdal are the three standout highlights of this six-day trip. With three nights at the same hotel in Ålesund, there is plenty of time to get to know the city and take two excursions before continuing on the Rauma Railway. We’ll experience the Geirangerfjord from land, stopping at viewpoints during a bus excursion.

Day 1 – Our first evening in Gudbrandsdal

The bus journey begins in your hometown. As the day goes on, the scenery changes, and there’s time to settle into the rhythm of the trip. In the evening, we check in to a mid-range hotel in Gudbrandsdal. We share dinner before settling in for the first of five hotel nights.

Day 2 – Ålesund with a local guide

After breakfast, we continue to Ålesund. On a walking tour with a local guide, we discover what makes the city so distinctive: towers, ornate façades, and Art Nouveau details tell the story of its rebuilding after the fire of 1904. The tour offers insight into the city’s architecture and history.

Afterwards, there’s time to explore on your own. You can wander the streets and quays around Brosundet or make your own way to the viewpoint on Mount Aksla. We meet for dinner at the hotel, where we’ll stay for three nights.

Day 3 – Runde Environmental Centre and lunch

Today’s bus excursion takes us to Runde Environmental Centre. There, we’ll be introduced to the centre’s work and learn more about the history of the Runde treasure. The visit combines a guided tour and an exhibition with lunch together.

Nature is also a big part of the day. The time available to explore the island depends on the group and local conditions. Birdlife varies with the season, and the programme does not guarantee sightings of any particular species. After the excursion, we return to our hotel in Ålesund for dinner.

Day 4 – Fjord views from land

We spend the day on a bus excursion through the scenery around the Geirangerfjord. At the viewpoints, there’s a chance to see how the mountainsides frame the fjord and take photos from land. Ørnesvingen and Flydalsjuvet may be among the stops, depending on the route and road conditions.

The day’s route must be adapted to the travel date. Trollstigen can be included if the road is open and the route is suitable for the group; otherwise, we’ll take a different route. In the evening, we return to Ålesund for dinner and our final night at the hotel.

Day 5 – The Rauma Railway and an evening by Lake Mjøsa

After breakfast, we leave Ålesund and travel by bus to Åndalsnes. There, we board the train on the Rauma Railway and travel to Dombås. The train window offers a different perspective on the mountain landscape. The Rauma River, Trollveggen, and Kylling Bridge are among the well-known sights along the route.

The bus will be waiting for us in Dombås. We continue to a mid-range hotel by Lake Mjøsa, where we’ll have dinner and spend the final night of the trip.

Day 6 – Heading home after breakfast

We have breakfast at the hotel, then travel by bus back to your hometown.

Included in the tour price

• 5 nights’ accommodation in mid-range hotels, with half board
• Excursions and admission fees as listed in the programme
• Train journey on the Rauma Railway from Åndalsnes to Dombås
• Local guide in Ålesund
• Visit to Runde Environmental Centre, including a guided tour and lunch

Before the trip

The proposed itinerary includes one night in Gudbrandsdal, three in Ålesund, and one by Lake Mjøsa. The departure point, travel date, hotels, and exact timings will be set for each group. Train tickets, the guide, and the group visit must be booked and confirmed before the trip. Excursion routes and stops will be adapted to the season and which roads are open.