Norddal Bridge

We are now approaching one of the most impressive reminders of the early Ofoten Railway – the old Norddal Bridge. The bridge was prefabricated in Germany before its different parts were transported all the way into these mountains. In the winter of 1902, the heavy bridge supports were brought up from Rombaksbotn by horse. Imagine making that journey through snow and steep terrain more than a century ago. For decades, Norddal Bridge carried trains and enormous amounts of iron ore across the valley. Eventually, the railway needed a more modern solution, and in 1988 the line was rerouted around the old bridge. The bridge also has a place in Narvik’s wartime history. In April 1940, Norwegian forces attempted to destroy it to prevent the German advance, but the explosives caused only limited damage. If you have seen the Netflix film Narvik, you may recognise the bridge – the attempt to destroy it is portrayed in the film. Today, trains no longer cross Norddal Bridge, but it remains standing as a protected piece of railway history and one of the most distinctive landmarks along the Ofoten Railway.