Flekkefjordbanen: Draisine Cycling on the Old Railway Line

The Flekkefjordbanen was supposed to be Norway's main south coast railway. They spent seven years blasting it through vertical cliffs, with over a third of the track carved as tunnels. The line opened in 1904, but when the Sørlandsbanen was built further inland during WW2, it became a branch line nobody needed. The last train ran on New Year's Eve 1990.

Today you can pedal the 17 km track on a draisine, a pedal-powered rail bike for two cyclists and one or two children. The ride passes through 17 tunnels, probably the most tunnel-dense draisine ride anywhere. The longest, Ravnejuvet, is 1.2 km of total darkness. Bring a strong headlamp. The provided lights are position markers so others can see you, not so you can see where you are going.

The first half climbs to Flikkeid, where there is a water tower, benches, and a toilet. The second half is flatter and the track hangs above the lake towards Sira. Everyone departs at the same time because the tunnels are too narrow to pass, and the brakes are railway brakes: they slow you down gradually, they do not stop you on the spot. Keep your distance, especially in the long tunnels.

The season runs from 1 May to 30 September with three daily departures. Book ahead in summer.