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Follow the Hogwarts Express through snowy mountains, historic railway landscapes and the real magic of Romsdalen.
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Where the Hogwarts Express Meets Romsdalen
Some of the snowy railway scenes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were filmed on the Rauma Railway near Bjorli. The railway runs through the Romsdalen landscape between Dombås and Åndalsnes, passing deep valleys, rivers, waterfalls and steep mountain walls.
The Norwegian Film Commission identifies Bjorli and the Rauma Railway as the locations used for the film’s snowy sequences. The scenes show Harry, Hermione and Ron travelling through a winter landscape that looks far removed from the UK locations used for most of the film.
The Bridge Behind the Magic
The railway’s most recognisable landmark is Kylling Bridge, located at Verma in Romsdalen. The bridge carries the Rauma Railway across the valley above Vermafossen waterfall and is one of the route’s defining sights.
Kylling Bridge is also associated with the Harry Potter filming locations. As the train moves through the valley, look out for the bridge, the surrounding rock walls and the dramatic scenery that helped make this railway suitable for the Hogwarts Express sequence.
The official Golden Train journey highlights Kylling Bridge as one of the key landmarks along the route.
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Why Romsdalen Worked for the Snowy Train Scene
The production needed a convincing snow-covered railway landscape, and Norway offered the winter conditions the filmmakers were looking for. Around Bjorli, the Rauma Railway passes through a mountain environment where snow, steep peaks and dark forests create a naturally dramatic setting.
The landscape also gives the railway a strong sense of movement. The train does not simply cross an open plain; it travels through a narrow valley framed by mountains, rivers and bridges. That combination makes the scenery feel both remote and cinematic.
For viewers, the most recognisable details may be the snow-covered railway, the historic train setting, the stone walls and the mountain landscape surrounding the Hogwarts Express.
Ready to experience the magic?
Follow the Film Route Yourself
You can experience the railway and scenery for yourself on The Golden Train Roundtrip. The journey starts in Åndalsnes and travels through Romsdalen towards Bjorli before returning along the Rauma Railway.
Keep an eye out for Kylling Bridge, the Rauma River, Troll Wall and the waterfalls along the route. You will not find a Portkey waiting at the station, but the journey offers a real connection to the landscape seen in the film.
And if you are hoping to recreate the atmosphere of the Hogwarts Express, winter is the season most closely associated with the filming—but current train operation and seasonal availability should always be checked before planning your visit.
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