The Ofoten Line and the Navvy Road
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 km | 4 hours | Gravel road, Path | Medium | Hikes |
If you take the train on the Ofoten Line to the Norway-Sweden border, you can actually hike across Norway by walking the Navvy Road back again.
Hikers along the Navvy Road. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Ofoten Line
The Ofoten Line is the northernmost railway line in Norway with passenger traffic. The 42-kilometre railway runs from Narvik station to the country border through 20 tunnels. It passes majestic mountains and beautiful waterfalls. On the Swedish side it continues as the Ore Line via Kiruna to Luleå.
The Navvy Road
If you disembark at Bjørnfjell, or Riksgränsen station in Sweden, you can hike across Norway from east to west by following the historic Navvy Road back to Rombaksbotn. The mountain road was built by the navvies in the end of the nineteenth century to construct the Ofoten Line. During the construction period the navvies founded their own city at Rombaksbotn, which is situated along the inner part of the Rombaken fjord. It had 700 inhabitants, but only house foundations remain today.
Lokomotive shed
At Bjørnfjell station, about two kilometres west of the country border, the Navvy Road is signposted south of the station building. If you start at Riksgränsen station in Sweden instead, you will pass an old locomotive shed where up to ten steam locomotives used to park. The half-moon-shaped foundation is indeed a picturesque object.
Nordal Bridge
From Bjørnfjell station the Navvy Road runs through an easy going terrain. After four kilometres along the gravel road you will reach Søsterbekk. Take the path on your right if you want a short detour to the station building. From Søsterbekk the railway used to pass over the Norddal Bridge, which you will see when you're continuing along the Navvy Road. It was demanded by the Ministry of Defence, because a destroyable object was necessary in case of a Russian invasion.
Steep part
The Navvy Road can be challenging to traverse for the next kilometres. You must now pass a steep part vulnerable to rockslides. But is also a stunning part where you will get a great view of the valley Norddalen. The Ofoten Line follows you closely beneath the trail, but through tunnels and snow sheds. You will also pass a beautiful waterfall on your way.
Rombaksbotn
After you have crossed the railway the Navvy Road continues downhill along the mountainside. You will pass a former dwelling house before you cross the river Hunndalselva. If you turn left at the crossroads you will reach Katterat station. Therefore turn right and follow the trail downhill until you cross the river in the bottom of the valley. The Navvy Road continues as a forest trail and crosses the river Søsterbekken before you reach Rombaksbotn. Here you will find several house foundations such as the remains of Spear's Bakery.
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How do I get there?
Train from Narvik to Bjørnfjell or Riksgränsen station (in Sweden). If you want a shorter trip, jump off at Katterat or Søsterbekk station. When you arrive Rombaksbotn, you can take a boat towards Narvik in the summer months.