Draisine on the Flekkefjord Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 km | 3 hours | Railway | Medium | Draisine |
The Flekkefjord Line is probably the most beautiful railway line in Norway suitable for rail biking. Steep mountainsides and 18 tunnels make the railway to an exiting experience.
Selura Platform. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Slightly uphill
You are given a helmet and headlamp if you rent a draisine at Flekkefjord Station, but it is advisable to bring some warm clothes for the longest tunnels. The first one is located at the north end of Flekkefjord station and is 455 metres long. All the halts on this railway are well maintained, the first one being Drangeid. The first four kilometres are slightly uphill, but after Logaåsen halt it gets steeper until you reach Flikkeid Station, located 89 metres above sea level. Here you will pass an old water tower.
Norway's longest tunnel
The trip continues in an idyllic area along the lake Lundevatnet. Make sure you do'nt cycle too fast and derail, because this part is steep. After Regevik Halt it gets dark. Ravnejuvet Tunnel is 1,174 metres long and was Norway's longest until the Gravhals Tunnel on the Bergen Line was completed in 1906. After two more tunnels you arrive Sirnes station area.
Bakkekleivi
The last kilometres to Bakkekleivi Halt is easy to cycle and mostly flat. Before the ride back, you must lift the draisine off the rails and turn it around manually. The downhill return trip takes of course considerably less time.
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How do I get there?
Bus 260 (Flekkefjord–Sira–Moi) which corresponds with the trains on the Sørlandet Line at Sira station. There are also express couches to Flekkefjord from Oslo and Stavanger. If you arrive by car, exit E39 and take the county road (Fv. 44) to Flekkefjord. You can park at the bus station, close to Flekkefjord station. Draisines can be rented at the freight shed.