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Who is the 'Dancing Waterfall Woman' of Norway's Flåm Railway?

By: Jessica
Last Updated: 21/02/2024

The Norway in a Nutshell trip is full of fun surprises, especially on the Flåm Railway leg of the journey. 


The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) — part of the Bergen Railway connecting Oslo to Bergen — runs about 20 kilometres through the mountainous Flåmsdalen valley, replete with views of trickling waterfalls, little wooden farmhouses and rugged peaks.

Norway in a Nutshell - Flam Railway scenery

It takes around two hours to descend 866 metres from the Myrdal station to the charming resort town of Flåm, offering up plenty of photo opportunities all along the way.

Flam Railway in Norway

National Geographic Traveler magazine called the Flåm Railway one of the top 10 train journeys in Europe.

Considered one of the most beautiful — and steepest — railways in the world, a ride on “the little green train” is one you will surely remember… and not just for the window views. 

Out of the window of Flam Railway, Norway

One of the best photo opportunities of this journey is a stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall.

Here, as passengers disembark on the viewing platform for a short break, a mysterious woman with long hair and a red dress emerges from the forest, dancing to a Norwegian folk song.

She is the Huldra, an elusive forest spirit from Norse mythology. According to local folklore, she lures men into the woods to seduce them. Watch out, guys!

Huldra at the Kjossfossen waterfall, Norway

We hate to spoil the legend, but the Huldra is actually an act by students from the Norwegian Ballet School. Rest assured, however, that the experience is every bit as magical as the myth.


Pro tip: Wear a rain jacket at the Kjosfossen waterfall viewing platform. It’s also a good idea to protect your camera against water damage from the waterfall’s spray. Get more Norway packing tips here

Good to know: The Norway in a Nutshell journey also includes a two-hour ferry cruise through the Nærøyfjord, the narrowest fjord in Europe and one of Norway's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It's an incredible way to experience the fjordscapes of Norway.

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Post by: Jessica

When not writing about Northern European tourist attractions, Jessica Bowe is busy daydreaming about her next trip or scouring Instagram for travel inspiration. Originally from Wisconsin (USA), she's lived in Iceland since 2008 and has since become fully immersed in Eurovision mania and Scandinavian coffee culture.

Find Jessica on LinkedIn.

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Getting there

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.