Rail & Hike by Arctic Train

The Arctic Train 

The first leg of the trip is a one-hour train ride along the Ofot Line. The ride takes you from Narvik, by the fjord, through an unspoiled Arctic landscape, to Bjørnfjell next to the Swedish border where our 11 kilometers hike to Katterat begins.  

Besides experiencing the spectacular landscape of the mountains and fjords, on this trip you can also learn about the history of this area and the construction of the railway.  

If you download the “Voice of Norway” app before boarding the train, your audio guide will tell you about the extremely challenging construction work of this railway and the dramatic Battle of Narvik during the Second World War that took place in this area. 

The Navvies Road 

Building the Ofot railway was a demanding task. The rough terrain and harsh climate made it one of the most impressive feats of engineering in Norwegian history. Before building the actual line, they built a construction road to make it easier to transport materials into the mountains.  

Hike in the footsteps of the navvies on this path through nearly untouched Arctic nature with waterfalls, alpine terrain and wild valleys. You will pass historical sites where battles were fought at the beginning of the Second World War and several fragments of the railway construction. 

Katterat 

The hike ends up at the Katterat in beautiful surroundings with the station building dating back to 1921 and the old railway workshop to 1902. Close to the station are remnants of the houses the navvies lived in at the end of the eighteen century.  

Also next to the railway line is “Katteratgubben”, a four-metre-tall rock formation that resembles a man – looking over the valley below. This impressive geological formation weighs approximately 10 tons and balances on just a small rock. Enjoy the area while waiting for your afternoon train departure back to Narvik. 

Timetable 

11:40 Departure Narvik Station 

13:00 Arrival Bjørnfjell Station 

11 kilometer Hike 

18:40 Departure Katterat 

19:15 Arrival Narvik 

Practical information 

• Departure meeting point: Narvik Station, Stasjonsveien 1, 8514 Narvik  
• Return meeting point: Katterat Train Station 18:40  
• Parking at Narvik Station  
• Total time: 7 hours and 35 minutes  
• Self-guided tour 

If you would like a shorter hike option, please inform our staff. 

Bring 

Suitable clothes and hiking shoes 

• Food and water