Gaustabanen
Take the historical cable car
Explore the unique mountain tramway inside Gaustatoppen, which takes you to an altitude of 1800 meters in just 15 minutes.
About Gaustabanen
The Gaustabanen starts at 1150 meters above sea level and ascends to 1800 meters above sea level. From the top station, you can climb another 30 meters up an outdoor stone staircase to the Gaustatoppen Tourist Lodge, which offers dining and accommodation. If you continue along the ridge, you will eventually reach an altitude of 1883 meters above sea level.
Thanks to the Gaustabanen, most people can explore the mountain, regardless of age or physical condition. Many prefer to take the Gaustabanen up or down the mountain. Each year, over 75,000 visitors use the Gaustabanen, with the highest number of visitors in July, August, and during the ski season.
Quick facts
- A one way trip from the starting point to the mountain top takes about 15 minutes.
- Each departure can carry 25 passengers during summer, and 18 during winter.
- Gaustabanan is powered by electricity and is radio-controlled, which means it can be controlled from either the engine room or carriages.
- Gaustabanen is actually two trains – one that runs horizontally 850 m straight into the mountain. Then you change trains and travel 1050 m up.
- The temperature in the tunnel is always the same, about 5-8 degrees.
Explore Gaustatoppen
Join a guided tour to Gaustatoppen, discover fascinating history, and explore hidden rooms of great significance!
A unique dining experience that combines a 3-course dinner with stories from the Cold War.(Photo borrowed from Brave)
Inside Gaustatoppen, you'll find 'Provianten,' a cozy kiosk that serves freshly made Norwegian pancakes and baked goods every day.
Gaustabanen as a military historical heritage site
In addition to the train, which is open to passengers, there is a 600 sqm defence facility inside Gaustatoppen. This area is left from the time when Gaustabanen served as a secret military base for NATO during the Cold War.
The idea of building an underground train to Gaustatoppen started as a civilian tourism project in the early 1950s. But when NATO got wind of the plans it became a top-secret military project. The railway was completed in 1959 and used to ship staff and supplies to the NATO radio station based on the summit. In 2010 Gaustabanen was no longer considered confidential and was opened to the public.
Gaustabanen as a ski lift
During winter, Gaustabanen functions as a ski lift inside the mountain. The train transports skiers from all over the world to the mountaintop for great off-piste skiing.
Here you step out above Langefonn, an off-piste run marked out with poles on the south side. This is open to the public. If you continue upwards along the ridge, you will finally reach 1883 m above sea level. You can ski the couloirs with a guide and require full avalanche equipment.
