Saturday 1 June 2019

Gaustatopen inside the mountain

Just up the road from Heddersvatn, on the left heading north along the Fv651 is Gaustabanen.

Inside Gaustatopen mountain the 'secret' railway, built in the 50s as a military listening post of some sort takes you right to the top. We knew there wasn't going to be a view today - but its still worth the trip up.

Wrapped up the motor, tonneau on so we've a chance of dry seats.

The view north towards Rjukan and looks like some blue sky for later on.

ex. military on the right with gift shop and tickets on the left...

The diagram at the entrance indicating 1,151m in, 1,800m out, then a short climb outside to the cabin at 1830m.

350m of narrow gauge train - two carriages perhaps 20 of us crammed in,

...then 1050m of inclined railway, two trains counterbalanced and pass in a wider chamber mid rise,

...perhaps 50m walk inside,

...short clamber outside,


...and this is the view from the top (smile)... nope - couldn't see a thing!

I couldn't tell you what this plaque read, the small brass plates had names of Norwegian towns (I think). We didn't go right to the top - combination of inappropriate footware (driving shoes), snow covered path and lack of view.


The cabin at 1830m high showing a warm glow from the windows. 
Also plenty of people arriving who have hiked up.

That waffle was awesome - freshly cooked and full of jam + hot chocolate.
We stayed in here a while, somehow this sort of place feels even warmer when its so cold outside.

Excellent trip,  what's not to like - cars, trains and mountains. 

Ditto procedure to get down, in reverse.

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