Visit the Alpine Capital and Ride "The Golden Train"

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Fjord Service

Visit the Alpine Capital, Åndalsnes, and Ride "The Golden Train" Along the Rauma Line! Begin your journey in Ålesund and let the GuideToGo app be your companion. With GPS-guided audio tours along the entire route, you’ll hear fascinating stories about nature, culture, and history tailored to the places you pass. Explore the cities with guided walking tours in Ålesund and Åndalsnes, all available directly in the app. Experience breathtaking landscapes and captivating tales on your drive between the two towns. Along the way, take breaks at handpicked stops to enjoy local cuisine, soak in scenic views, or discover hidden gems. Once in Åndalsnes, hop aboard the famous Rauma Line – "The Golden Train." This extraordinary train ride takes you past dramatic cliffs, over pristine rivers, and through picturesque valleys – an unforgettable experience! Stay at Hotel Aak, a historic hotel surrounded by majestic mountains. Enjoy both comfort and proximity to nature. You might even hear about the hotel’s legacy as Norway’s first tourist hotel while savoring a gourmet dinner prepared with local ingredients. About This Activity Drive your own car or join a bus tour. Book now, travel whenever you like: Plan your trip to fit your preferences and needs. Download the tour in advance and get to know the locations before you travel. With GuideToGo, you’ll explore fascinating stories and facts about the highlights along the route. Duration 2 days Distance One-way: 118 kilometers (from Ålesund to Åndalsnes) Languages Included Norwegian, Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Ukrainian. Highlights Guided walking tour in Ålesund Audio-guided drive from Ålesund to Åndalsnes Guided walking tour in Åndalsnes Spectacular train ride on the Rauma Line Overnight stay at Hotel Aak Included ✔️ GPS-guided audio tour in 14 languages. ✔️ Recommendations for accommodations, dining, and activities. ✔️ Links for booking and reservations. ✔️ Guided walking tours. ✔️ Guided driving tour. ✔️ Pre-trip audio guide playback. Not Included ❌ Accommodation. ❌ Food and beverages. ❌ Tickets to attractions and activities. Activity Suggestions: Visit the iconic Troll Wall, Europe’s tallest vertical rock face. Explore the Norwegian Mountaineering Center in Åndalsnes to learn about Norwegian climbing and mountaineering. Enjoy a local delicacy for dinner, like mountain trout or salt cod.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

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Points of interest

#1

Ålesund Rutebilstasjon

(Photo: bypatrioten.com) From Ålesund Rutebilstasjon (Bus station) you can jump on one of the many buses to transport you both near and far. Especially popular are the many tours with the FRAM buses. These will take you to unique nature, and places you just have to experience. Download one of the audio-guided routes, and experience the amazing region in a new way.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#2

Ålesund

(Photo: iStock.com) Ålesund is the largest town in Møre og Romsdal. The town is one of the world's main exporters of dried and salted cod and is internationally renowned for its characteristic architecture — a result of the catastrophic fire in 1904 which destroyed almost the entire town centre. More about this in Jugendstilsenteret. Today, Ålesund's population is growing, and is expected to surpass 50,000 inhabitants in a few years.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#3

Åndalsnes

Here, surrounded by majestic mountains, deep and lush valleys and emerald green rivers, lies Åndalsnes, or Tindebyen which is full of spectacular experiences. The town was also at the centre of one of the second world war’s largest battles, during which the whole of Norway’s gold reserve was at stake. In dramatic fashion, Norwegian and English soldiers together with hundreds of heroic volunteers managed to save the Norwegian gold and cash reserves, whilst howling German bombs squealed around them leaving the whole town in ruins. Both the town and the steadfast people rose up again and to this day exist as a hub between the fantastic Norwegian mountain experiences both in Summer and Wintertime. The idyllic fjord centre has all you need and more. We recommend the spectacular walk up the Romsdalstrappene to the Rampestreken viewpoint, which literally hangs out 8 meters in the air, giving you an eagle’s eye view over Åndalsnes and the beautiful Romasdal fjord. On your way down again we recommend taking the award winning Romsdal Gondola for all of you without a fear of heights. And if you should hear some rough guitar riffs or some banging dance tunes, then maybe Raumarock or another of Åndalsnes’ famous music festivals is taking place.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#4

Main road

This is the main road in and out of Ålesund centre and consists of Aspøya and Nørvøya. Along the way, you will find the Color Line Stadion, the home ground of Aalesund Football Club.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#5

The Norwegian Maritime Competence Centre

Ahead of us is the region’s hub for education, research, and business development, Campus Aalesund. A high school and the Ålesund campus of Norway's largest university on one side of the road, and global companies on the other side paves the way for interaction between theory and practice. NTNU has mainly a science and technology profile, a variety of programmes of professional study, and great academic breadth that also includes the humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, educational science, architecture, entrepreneurship, art disciplines and artistic activities. Norwegian Maritime Center of Comptetenece - NMCC - aims to be one of Norway’s most important meeting places for innovation, competence and development. NMCC cooperates with a number of organizations both inside the NMCC building and outside to create more knowledge, innovation, development, and growth in the Sunnmøre region.

Audio guides available in:

English (British), Norsk bokmål

#6

Sunnmøre Museum

Sunnmøre Museum, located on the southern side of the bay, along E136, is a folk museum with exhibitions of cultural history, and a comprehensive collection of old houses and boats. Enjoy a walk among the characteristic houses and gain insight into the cultural history of Sunnmøre and old building methods. The museum documents and exhibits Sunnmøre's cultural history from The Stone Age to The Modern Era. The museum itself consists of 50 houses and 40 boats.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#7

Ålesund Hospital

Ålesund sykehus (Ålesund Hospital), the region's largest hospital, is situated between the E136 road and the fjord. Before the current hospital was built in the 1960s, Ålesund Hospital was in an old building in downtown Ålesund. The hospital offers diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and care for patients in Sunnmøre. In addition, the hospital has a range of functions covering the whole county.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#8

Amfi Moa

Do you like shopping? Then you have come to the right place. We are now at Amfi Moa, which with its 170 stores is among Norway's largest shopping centers in terms of turnover.Many well- known chain stores can be found here, as well as many unique, independent stores. The centre also has a real estate agency, a pharmacy, The Wine Monopoly and a large selection of eateries. Parking is free.

Audio guides available in:

English (British), Norsk bokmål

#9

Spjelkavik

(Photo: wikipedia) Spjelkavik is a district in Ålesund which includes the areas around Spjelkavik/Moa, in addition to the residential areas of Åse, Lerstad, Olsvika and Fremmerholen. Today Spjelkavik has about 10,500 inhabitants, and is Ålesund's second largest town district. The town district is located about 10 km from the centre of Ålesund and is among the fastest-growing areas in Ålesund.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#10

Norwegian Mountaineering Center

Norsk Tindesenter attracts mountain climbers and regular tourists alike. Its main focus is on Norway's mountaineering history. Inside the center, you can start your visit with a cinematic experience allowing for floor-to-ceiling movie viewing. Here, stunning trekking films combined with short historical narratives take you on an exciting adventure trip. The center has a number of interesting installations showing different aspects of the climbing sport, and the driving forces motivating mountaineers. Both children and adults are invited to learn and participate interactively. Real stories have been dramatized and old equipment displayed alongside so you can study the challenges of the climbing pioneers. If you feel up to it, you can test your own climbing skills. Norway's highest indoor climbing wall – Carl's Hall – is here at Norsk Tindesenter. It has routes up to 21 meters. Norsk Tindesenter also has its own children's bouldering cave suitable for children from 3 years of age and upwards.

Audio guides available in:

English (British), Norsk bokmål

#11

Sjøholt

We now come to the small village and the traffic hub Sjøholt, which is located where the Ørskogelva River flows into the Storfjorden. Here the traffic is distributed in all directions, whether you are going to Ålesund, Molde, Geiranger or Oslo. The popular petrol station has been a favorite stop for both large and small cars for many decades. Sjøholt has some minor industries within repairs, furniture, plastic, and wood. South of the river mouth of Ørskogelva, you will find Ørskog church, a wooden church with a rectangular basilica built in 1873.

Audio guides available in:

English (British), Norsk bokmål

#12

Sunnmøre

(Photo: snl.no) This region in Møre og Romsdal is called Sunnmøre. The word Møre originates from Norse marr, 'ocean, sea', and can be interpreted as "the land by the sea". People from Sunnmøre are called sunnmøringer. Sunnmøre has about 140,000 inhabitants and covers an area of 5,234 km2. Sunnmøre's most important town is Ålesund and this is the biggest town between Bergen and Trondheim. Ålesund is the country's ninth biggest town and lies entirely on islands. Sunnmøre also has two other small towns, Ulsteinvik and Fosnavåg, and several large villages like Ørsta, Volda, Sykkylven, Hareid, Nordstrand, Stranda and Brattvåg. Many islands, long and narrow fjords, including Geirangerfjorden on UNESCO's world heritage list, and Sunnmørsalpene (The Sunnmøre Alps) dominate the landscape. This also gives rise to many nature-related activities. In the Sunnmørsalpene, it is possible to find some of the country's best alpine resorts, known as the "powder paradise". This area offers good opportunities for mountain hiking, climbing, ocean fishing, kayaking and scuba diving. The region also has a wide range of restaurants and accommodation facilities that based on the natural conditions. We recommend that you check out activities on the Visit Ålesund & Sunnmøre's website. A link is available in the app.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#13

Fjellstova

We are soon passing Fjellstova on Ørskogfjellet, Which was constructed in 1966 by an industrious fellow named Peder O. Bårdsgjerde. His son Olav relates that it started as a small cafe and later expanded with cabins and rooms to accomodate larger social gatherings. Fjellstova offers a restaurant, 15 cabins and a small campsite, and is open throughout the year. This is a great starting point for several activities in the area. The landscape here is well suited for hiking and rumor has it that there are plenty of blueberries to be found. During winter you will find several cross-country trails and excellent opportunities for other alpine activities. Necessary equipment can be rented, and you can also attend a skiing school. Mountain biking, fishing or just simply enjoying Norwegian nature are other options. Golfing and horseback riding are also offered inn the area.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#14

Shipyards Vestnes

If you happened to travel through this area around the end of the 19th century, you would have seen several shipyards along the fjord. Shipbuilding has a long tradition in Vestnes. However, most of the former companies are now just a part of the history. Hammeraas, Salthammer, Stenødegård, Helland, Ødegård, Aas, and Vestnes are names that still make people in the area think about boat construction. Boats and ships of all sizes were once constructed and built in this area. One of the first most significant Norwegian boatbuilders was Lars Jensen Hammeraas, who was responsible for the construction of one of the largest wooden ships here toward the end of the 19th century, the full rigged ship Herman Lehmkul. It was 214 feet long and as tall as a three-story house. In fact, the boat was so large that they had to reorganize the factory area in order to get enough space for the building process.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#15

The Tresfjord Bridge

(Photo: Vidar Moløkken) When Prime Minister Erna Solberg opened Tresfjordbrua on October 24th, 2015, a large public party was arranged. For a long time residents and travelers had looked forward to this bridge to be completed. The opening took place during what the local residents call «a good break», an expression for the interval between the area`s numerous rain showers. People were enjoying themselves by cycling and walking across the bridge in pleasant spring weather during the hours leading up to the official opening. Many brought flags to celebrate this significant day. The Prime Minister was pleased that the drive was cut short by 40 minutes on her commute to visit family in Ålesund. Applause from some 2,000 attendants indicated that she was not alone in her joy. The most important aspect for the locals of course is the greater safety and mobility afforded to pedestrians and drivers alike by this new bridge in the area. The bridge’s construction, with its 1290 meters length, amounted to a price of 1.1 billion kroner. The mast of your boat can reach 30 metres up in the air before the boat is in danger of getting its mast shortened. The Tresfjord bridge is the longest road bridge in Møre og Romsdal and was the 6th longest in the country when it was finished.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#16

Digerneset

Digerneset is a large business area of some 400,000 square meters, located in the municipality of Skodje, close to europavei 136. The area is clear proof not only faith moves mountains. Money also provides such opportunities. Before the area was developed, some 2,000,000 cubic metres of stone (about 16 times the amount of stone the mountain Mannen in Rauma County would yield were it to collapse) were moved there to prepare the land for expansive construction to accomodate the large number of companies moving in. The name Digerneset stems from the former agricultural land situated further down the fjord. The farm there used to play an important role in the area’s cultivation but is now no longer operating.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#17

Grytten Church

The Grytten Church was consecrated in 1732, the third church in Inner Romsdal parish. The first churches were erected about four kilometres further up towards Isterdalen. This area was given the name "Grytina". The parsonage and the nearby marketplace Devold are located here as well. The first church was a simple stave church, without any windows or tower. Some two hundred years later a new stave church was erected which also suffered environmental damage. n the Middle Ages Norway was a poor country under foreign rulers and had to endure consecutive years of poor yields, the plague and a harsh climate on top of that. When the third church was consecrated in 1732, it was built in a more updated form, as a so-called cross-church. However, due to excessive clearing of the woodlands nearby, the Rauma River began to erode the vegetation along its banks and carried a lot of sand downriver. The church was in danger of being buried completely. Eventually it was decided to move Grytten church to Veblungsnes, the new center in inner Romsdal. The originally small cross-church was turned into an octagonal church. The timber from the old church was used in the construction, along with new wood. This church was consecrated in 1829. Since then there have been a lot of improvements and additions.

Audio guides available in:

English (British), Norsk bokmål

#18

Rauma Wool Factory

Rauma Ullvarefabrikk AS is located at the mouth of Rauma river at Veblungsnes. This very popular factory supplies yarns to enthusiastic knitters across the country. At the start, in 1927, there were only a few simple textile machines placed in a small seaside cottage with three employees. During World War II the factory was destroyed but soon re-erected. At the end of the 1970s a factory building was constructed. It provided space for an up-to-date production facility.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#19

Innfjorden

The village Innfjorden in Rauma municipality is undergoing development. It is located in a south facing bay only a few minutes drive from Åndalsnes town center. You will find both a kindergarten and a school here, serving between 4 and 500 inhabitants, as well as several companies. Organizations are thriving. Innfjorden Sports Team is one of these. The sports team offers adults and children various activities; athletics, football, skiing, a ballpark and plenty of space for everyone to engage in all kinds of exercise. A floodlit cross-country ski trail was constructed in the heart of Innfjorden. It is about 3.5 kilometres long and the light is on every night. Innfjorden offers one of Rauma's best beaches. It is centrally located next to the public assembly house at the bottom of the bay, with a park, benches, volleyball court and a long sandy beach. Next to the school you will find Innfjorden Bedehuskapell (Chapel). It is used for worship, christenings, funeral services, various meetings and organisational activities.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#20

Måndalen

Måndalen, with its village center at Voll, lies at the southern end of the Romsdalsfjord and has about 900 inhabitants. In addition to traditional farming, the village has long-standing textile and wood industries. Most famous are Wenaas and Måndalen trevare. Several construction and transport companies are in operation here as well. The investment company Wenaasgruppen has its headquarters at Voll. It is one of Norway's largest hotel property investment groups. The village has a kindergarten and school, an old people`s home, a bakery and hairdressing salon. There is all the infrastructure you need for a longer stay: a grocery store with integrated post office, a marina, a quay tower, a cafe, a camping area, a beach and a gas station.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#21

Voll Kirke

Voll Church is located here in Månalen. It was erected in 1896 and restored in 1964. The largest church in Grytten parish looks from the outside like a long church. It was built in the notched timber tradition by the architect G. Smith. In earlier times there was a church dating from 1674 on the same plot. As to objects of interest in the church, we can mention a Bible from 1732, an altar from 1648, and the organ of 1840, probably the oldest organ still in use in the country. Previously, the organ was in Mandal church but was moved to Måndalen in 1926. It was made by the organ builder Albrechtsen from Trondheim and shared a similar fate with many other instruments; it was in a very bad state. Fortunately, it was restored in connection with the church's 100th anniversary.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#22

The Måndal Tunnel

The Måndal Tunnel passes between Måndalen and Sauset. It is a bit over 2 kilometres long and was opened in May 1993. The Innfjord tunnel opened in November 1991 and together these two tunnels cost 225 million kroner. Måndalstunnelen replaced a section of the road previously endangered by landslides. The old road with its more basic safety precautions may still be used for travel. The new tunnel's aspect and construction differs a great deal from the older one. Before, there were rough-hewn mountain walls lining a dark, cavernous throughway. Now you will find a range of modern installations like frost protection, video surveillance, emergency telephones, fire extinguishers and more. In Måndalstunnelen there is also full coverage for DAB radio and emergency networks throughout the passage.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#23

Vågstrand tunnel

Danger from frequent landslides caused the previous road on E 136 between Rauma and Vestnes to be replaced by the new, almost 4 km long Vågstrand tunnel. When it was opened, a number of school buses had the honor of driving through first in order to emphasize the improvement to safety for commuting schoolchildren. This section is also part of the main route between South-East Norway and Sunnmøre - the so-called Eksportvegen (Export Road) – another good reason for keeping the road open and safe. The project's cost of NOK 500 million kroner is divided between the Norwegian state and motorists who contribute significantly with tolls. The old road was built during the Second World War and was in places so narrow that it was not wide enough for a median strip. Motorists experienced the road as unsafe and sometimes fatal when colliding with oncoming traffic at high speed. Now the modern road makes the journey a lot safer. Emergency spaces every 500 meters allow for even larger vehicles to turn around in the middle of the tunnel if necessary. Large fans ensure good air quality. In case of an accident blocking the tunnel temporarily, a continuous band of light on the concrete rails is triggered automatically.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#24

Vågstranda Church

Vågstranda Church is located on Vågstranda in Rauma municipality. The church was built in 1870 as a so-called hall church or long church. It is built in traditional notched timber style, which was carved in Trondheim. The church was initially constructed in Trondheim, then the logs were marked and the building dismantled. The building materials were transported to Vågstranda and then properly set up in its permanent location by the architect and builder G. Olsen from Trondheim. The church was restored on its one hundredth anniversary 1970. The church bell was molded on Bolsøya by the local bell molder Christensen. The altarpiece, which dates back to 1870, was painted by Balle Lund from Trondheim. It was by Royal Decree of October 31, 1868 that permission was given to build Vågstranda church on Straume. The building was to be a church in the new Vågstranda parish. Prior to 1870, the people from Vågstranda belonged to the Veøy Old Church, on Veøya, in the Romsdalsfjord.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#25

Gjermundnes - Agricultural Museum and School

The agricultural museum at Gjermundnes is located on the premises of the old agricultural school from 1898. The museum is situated on what can be a natural stop halfway between Ålesund and Åndalsnes. From Gjermundnes you have a great panoramic view over to Molde town located on the other side of Romsdalsfjorden. The museum is set in a charming landscape with plenty of sunshine on clear days. You will also find a beautiful park here with a fine oak alley from 1758. The place has a long history and has been an important place for people throughout the ages. Among other things, a field of graves lies here dating from the Iron Age. Records show that even a king - Neskongen Gjermund - lived on the Gjermundnes farm in the Viking age. The agricultural school or Gjermundnes High School, as it is now called, is located here. It specializes in the study of traditional and modern agricultural practices. At Gjermundnes, pupils can acquire knowledge on aspects of planting and mechanical processes of farming. The school also offers comprehensive courses in equine science.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

#26

Vikebukt

Close to 700 people call the village of Vikebukt their home. Vikebukt borders on the villages of Gjermundnes and Daugstad with a bridge linking it to the municipal center at Helland. The nearest town is Molde which is located on the other side of the fjord. Ålesund and Åndalsnes are reached within an hour's drive in either direction. A ferry used to run here connecting Vestnes, Molde and Vikebukt. It has been replaced with the Tresfjord bridge between Vikebukt and Helland. You still have to take a ferry from Vestnes to get to Molde. The road through Vikebukt is referred to as Eksportvegen and links the Ålesund region with traffic in and out of the county. People have lived here since the Viking Age. Vestiges (or remnants) from a number of caims exist which you can visit in the area. Archaeologists estimate the graves to originate from the Iron Age or the Viking Age. In 2004, a Viking woman's grave was discovered near Vike church. The grave contained pearls and gemstones of amber, weaving equipment and other accessories. The woman who was buried here was named "Husfrua på Vike" (The Housewife of Vike) by the archaeologists. It is believed that this must have been a woman of higher standing who was given a grave memorial here.

Audio guides available in:

Norsk bokmål, English (British)

Visit the Alpine Capital and Ride "The Golden Train"

Points of interest