Few travel experiences match the charm of watching Europe’s diverse landscapes unfold through a train window. From alpine peaks to coastal vistas, Western Europe offers some of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys that combine engineering marvels with natural beauty.
Here is a list of 16 scenic rail routes across Western Europe that showcase the continent’s stunning landscapes and remarkable railway heritage.
Bernina Express
This iconic Swiss route connects Chur with Tirano, crossing the Alps at an impressive 7,400 feet. The journey takes you across 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels, offering breathtaking views of glaciers and mountain passes that change dramatically with the seasons.
The panoramic cars provide unobstructed views of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape, making it feel like you’re gliding through a living postcard.
West Highland Line
Running from Glasgow to Mallaig in Scotland, this route became world-famous as the railway featured in the Harry Potter films. The line crosses desolate moors, skirts deep lochs, and passes beneath the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct section is particularly spectacular, with curved archways spanning a valley that offers views extending toward the mountains of Knoydart.
Rhine Valley Line
Following the contours of the legendary Rhine River between Mainz and Koblenz in Germany, this route passes dozens of medieval castles perched atop rocky crags. Vineyards climb steep hillsides while historic villages nestle along the riverbanks, creating a landscape that looks lifted from a fairy tale.
The train moves at a leisurely pace, allowing passengers to soak in views of the dramatic Rhine Gorge that has inspired artists for centuries.
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Cinque Terre Railways
This coastal Italian gem connects five colorful fishing villages clinging to rugged cliffs along the Mediterranean. The train tunnels through the rocky coastline before emerging to breathtaking sea views, with stations often carved directly into the hillsides.
Each brief stretch between villages reveals a different perspective of the azure waters below, while the brightly painted buildings create a striking contrast against the deep blue sea.
Bergen Railway
Connecting Oslo to Bergen across Norway’s mountainous spine, this route climbs to over 4,000 feet above sea level. The journey transitions from lush valleys to stark mountain plateaus, where snow often remains even in summer months.
The Flåm Railway branch line, descending nearly 3,000 feet in just 12 miles, offers an even more concentrated dose of Norwegian mountain majesty.
Douro Valley Line
Portugal’s most scenic railway follows the Douro River through the terraced vineyards of the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. The train hugs the river’s contours, offering changing perspectives of the meticulously cultivated hillsides that produce the country’s famous port wine.
The golden light reflecting off the water during late afternoon journeys creates an almost magical atmosphere across this UNESCO-protected cultural landscape.
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Semmering Railway
This pioneering Austrian mountain railway, completed in 1854, was one of the first to conquer the Alps. The route features 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels across just 25 miles of track, demonstrating remarkable engineering for its era.
Views alternate between dense pine forests and dramatic alpine vistas, with the train sometimes seeming to cling precariously to the mountainside.
Nice to Ventimiglia Line
Straddling the French and Italian Riviera, this coastal route offers nearly continuous Mediterranean views. The train runs almost at sea level, sometimes mere yards from the water’s edge, passing through chic resort towns and tranquil fishing villages.
Medieval settlements can be spotted on hilltops above, creating a pleasing contrast between the modern coastal developments and ancient inland communities.
Inlandsbanan
This Swedish adventure runs through the remote heart of the country from Kristinehamn to Gällivare. The single-track railway passes through vast forests, crosses countless rivers, and skirts peaceful lakes in a landscape that feels wonderfully untouched.
Summer travelers may experience the midnight sun, while winter journeys offer possible glimpses of the northern lights dancing above the snow-covered landscape.
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Black Forest Lines
Germany’s network of railways through the mountainous Black Forest region offers enchanting views of dense woodlands and hidden valleys. Traditional farmhouses with distinctive wide roofs dot meadows between the trees, while small streams tumble beside the tracks.
The Höllental Railway section features particularly steep gradients and dramatic rock formations that showcase both natural beauty and engineering prowess.
Settle to Carlisle Line
This northern English route crosses the rugged Pennine hills through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Mountains. The 24 viaducts and 14 tunnels create a rhythm of enclosed spaces opening suddenly to sweeping views of moorland landscapes.
The mighty Ribblehead Viaduct stands as the line’s most impressive feature, its 24 massive stone arches striding across the valley floor 100 feet below.
Madrid to Algeciras Line
This Spanish journey begins on the central plateau before descending through increasingly Mediterranean landscapes toward Andalusia. The most spectacular section crosses the El Chorro gorge near Málaga, where the track clings to vertical limestone cliffs hundreds of feet above the river.
The changing vegetation tells the story of Spain’s diverse climate zones, from the arid center to the lush south.
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Glacier Express
Often called the world’s slowest express train, this Swiss marvel takes nearly eight hours to connect St. Moritz and Zermatt. The route crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels while maintaining a consistent backdrop of alpine splendor.
The Oberalp Pass section reaches 6,700 feet above sea level, offering views of snow-capped peaks that seem close enough to touch.
Centovalli Railway
This Swiss-Italian line connecting Locarno and Domodossola crosses the ‘hundred valleys’ that give it its name. The narrow-gauge railway traverses countless bridges and viaducts above deep ravines and rushing streams.
The Mediterranean influence creates a landscape of chestnut forests, small vineyards, and stone villages that feel distinctly different from the higher Alpine routes.
Atlantic Coast Line
Running along France’s western edge from Les Sables d’Olonne to La Rochelle, this route offers magnificent ocean panoramas. Salt marshes, pine forests, and long beaches create a constantly changing coastal tableau.
The approach to the historic port of La Rochelle is particularly striking, with medieval towers guarding the entrance to the old harbor visible from the train.
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Rauma Line
This 70-mile Norwegian route connects Dombås with Åndalsnes through the dramatic Romsdalen valley. The train follows the rushing Rauma River, passing waterfalls and crossing deep gorges in the shadow of towering mountains.
The famous Trollveggen (Troll Wall)—Europe’s tallest vertical rock face at 3,600 feet—looms impressively beside the tracks for part of the journey.
Rails Through Time
These historic routes offer more than just scenery—they connect us to the engineering triumphs of past generations while showcasing nature’s grandeur in accessible, sustainable ways. Modern travelers retracing these paths participate in a tradition of rail exploration that has shaped European tourism for over 150 years.
The continued popularity of these journeys demonstrates that sometimes the most memorable parts of travel aren’t the destinations but the remarkable journeys between them.
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