Hotels | Hotel Finse 1222 is located at the highest point along the Bergen Railway, at 1222 meters above sea level. It was first opened in 1909, at the same time as the Bergen Railway was completed. Finse is only reachable by train, bicycle, or foot, and the platform is located 2,5 hours east of Bergen and 4,5 hours west of Oslo.
The hotel is found directly on the platform, overlooking the stunning glacier Hardangerjøkulen, amongst other views, and is generally surrounded by a scenic and beautiful mountain region. During the winter, Hotel Finse 1222 is open from January to the end of May, and during the summer from July to end of September. The hotel has 41 rooms and 109 beds.
The building has undergone major changes throughout the years, however, the historic essence still is within the walls. There are many exciting stories to tell about the start-up of the Finse city, the polar heroes and Star Wars.
During the summer, Finse offers a variety of activities. For example, you can explore the glacier, Hardangerjøkulen, with crampons on guided tours, or ride the great bike road Rallarvegen from Finse to Hallingskeid or Flåm. You can also visit the Rallar museum for a look at the old snowblowers / locomotives with their large rotors. You could also take a walk in two of the most beautiful national parks in Norway. There is much to explore both through marked and unmarked territories.
Whether you prefer exploring the unspoiled landscape around Finse on skis, dash around in dog sleds in true polar fashion or if you’d like to "fly" over the vast expanses with help of ski sails, Finse is also the perfect place for a genuine winter adventure! During the winter, they regularly organize ski sail courses and their partner Skikite.com even organize kiting courses on the frozen Finse lake, which is located between the hotel and Hardangerjøkulen. Should you not be comfortable with skis or simply prefer to replace the skiing with a "trek", a snowshoe walk with a headlamp in the beautiful blue light is always a great alternative. The winter season starts around New Year’s Eve and lasts until approximately May 20th.
