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ITINERARY
Göteborg – Stockholm, 6-days
Day 1
10.00 Depart from Göteborg, Packhuskajen 10
14.15-14.30 Lilla Edet
The lock at Lilla Edet, built in 1916, is the
first on our journey. The original lock was
opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden.
15.45-16.30 Trollhättan locks
The impressive flight of locks at Trollhättan
consists of four locks, covering a 32-metre
difference in water level. There are three lock
systems and the biggest one (from 1916) is still
in use.
16.30-17.50 Trollhättan
Trollhättan Canal Museum is located in a
storehouse from 1893. Here you can learn the
fascinating history of the Trollhättan Canal
through e.g. some 50 boat models, underwater
tools from the 19th century, a blacksmith’s
workshop and an old lock hut. Film show. Walk to
see the old locks. Visit the Canal Museum.
19.30 Arrive Vänersborg
We visit Älgens Berg (Moose or Elk Mount) - the
Royal Hunting Museum - where you can get
acquainted with the moose, king of the forests.
There are also interesting exhibitions on the
unique flora, fauna, geology and history of the
Halleberg and Hunneberg areas. Bus to the
Hunneberg Royal Hunt Museum for a guided tour.
Overnight stop.
Day 2
04.45 Depart Vänersborg
04.45-16.00 Lake Vänern, 44 meters above sea
level. Sweden’s largest lake.
09.30-12.00 Läckö Castle
The Castle was built in 1298 as a bishop’s
residence. Its golden age was during the reign
of Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie, who transformed
it into baroque style in 1652. Guided tour of
the Castle (stairs). A walk of 2 km.
16.00-17.25 Sjötorp
ere we enter the first of the 58 narrow locks on
the Göta Canal. At Sjötorp there is a set of
eight locks. Possible to walk between lock 1-8.
19.10-20.45 Godhögen - Hajstorp övre
A lock system consisting of four locks. In 1822
the western section of the Göta Canal was
inaugurated at Hajstorp. A taste of Swedish
music in the evening.
20.45 Arrive Hajstorp
Our boat berths for the night, close to the
Canal Engineer’s house. Overnight stop.
Day 3
06.00 Depart Hajstorp
07.00 Töreboda
The railway line between Stockholm and Göteborg
crosses the canal here. Sweden’s smallest ferry,
”Lina”, travels back and forth across the Göta
Canal.
09.00 The Berg Canal / the Obelisk
An obelisk marks the canal’s highest point (91.5
meters above sea level). A difficult bend was
straightened in 1933, the Berg Canal.
09.55 Tåtorp
One of the canal’s two manually operated locks
is found here.
09.55-12.15 Lake Viken
The beautiful Lake Viken (91.8 meters above sea
level) serves as a water reservoir for the
western section of the Göta Canal.
11.10-12.15 The Spetsnäs Canal/Billströmmen
We steer through two narrow, wooded passages and
small lakes with water lilies. Possibility to
see osprey.
12.15-12.35 Forsvik
Forsvik lock, built in 1813, is the oldest lock
on the Göta Canal. The impressive iron bridge
was constructed in the same year.
12.15 Singin
Singing and flowers from the Kindbom family, a
religious group. When leaving the lock we will
be going downwards!
12.50 Karlsborg
Before our boat enters Lake Vättern, we pass
Karlsborg and its fortress, which was built
1819-1909.
12.50-15.00 Lake Vättern. 89 meters above sea
level. Sweden’s second largest lake.
15.00-18.30 Vadsten
Vadstena is an idyllic small town, which is
famous for St. Birgitta. It grew up around the
14th century convent, becoming a spiritual,
cultural and commercial centre. The Abbey was
built to the design of St. Birgitta and was
consecrated in 1430. The Castle was built in the
1540s by King Gustav Vasa. Guided tour by a
”sight-seeing train” to the Castle and Abbey
church. Swimming is possible.
20.00 Arrive Motala
As Baltzar von Platen had intended, Motala
developed into a town. An engineering works,
Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve
the Göta Canal and was considered the cradle of
Swedish industry. We visit Motala Motor museum,
which has an exhibition of antique cars and
motorcycles in authentic surroundings, a
collection of radios, toys, household appliances
and more. Visit a museum. Walk to von Platen’s
grave, 1-km walk (left side of the canal).
Overnight stop
Day 4
08.00 Depart Motala
08.40-09.10 Borenshult
Lock stairway of five locks. The song of the
nightingale is often heard in this area.
09.10-10.30 Lake Boren. 73 meters above sea
level
10.30-11.30 Borensberg
Here is a manually operated lock and the
well-known Göta Hotel, which we will visit. Walk
together to the “Göta Hotel”. Coffee and waffles
served.
12.00 Aqueduct.
East of Borensberg there is an aqueduct (built
in 1993)
14.50 Ljungsbro Aqueduct. We pass over the
second aqueduct (built in 1970) on our journey
15.00 Berg (Heda)
Arrive at Berg’s lock system of 15 locks. The
convent of Vreta Kloster, now a ruin, was the
first to be built in Sweden. It dates from about
1100 and its importance was later over-shadowed
by the convent founded by St. Birgitta in
Vadstena. The church is very interesting, with
many medieval works of art. Today, it is used as
a parish church and therefore not always open.
Guided walk (about 3 km, partly hilly) to Vreta
Cloister ruins and church. Or walk along the
canal on your own. Swimming in Lake Roxen is an
option.
16.30-17.30 Berg (Carl-Johan)
With its seven interconnected locks, the Carl
Johan lock stairway in Berg is the longest on
the Canal. Board again by “Carl-Johan” lock,
right side.
17.30-19.30 Lake Roxen. 33 meters above sea
level
19.30 Norsholm
The railway line between Stockholm and Malmö
crosses here.
Lake Asplången 27 meters above sea level
21.00 Arrive Klämman
We berth at the water regulating lock “Klämman”.
Overnight stop.
Day 5
07.30 Depart Klämman
08.20-09.30 Carlsborg–Mariehov–Duvkullen
A set of nine locks taking us into Söderköping.
Walk to Söderköping (4.3 km). Or 2 km from
Carlsborg to Dufkullen.
10.00-12.00 Söderköping
Söderköping is an idyllic town, which was
founded in the 13th century and it was most
important during the Hansa period. The town also
has a long and fascinating history as a spa.
Walk on your own in town.
13.15 Mem
Passing through the last narrow lock before
Slätbaken, an inlet of the Baltic, we leave the
Göta Canal. On 26th Sept. 1832, the Göta Canal
was inaugurated at Mem amid great pomp and
circumstance in the presence of King Karl XIV
Johan and his family.
13.15- The Baltic
We cross open water for a short bit and then
weave through the archipelago.
14.00-15.30 Stegeborg
The ruins of the Stegeborg Fort are beautifully
situated on a small island. The fort was
constructed during the early Middle Ages and was
built to protect the inlet leading into
Söderköping. Guided tour of the garden and ruins
of Stegeborg. Hilly country.
20.00 Arr. Sävsundet
Overnight stop at the old pilot station, waiting
for dawn. Overnight stop.
Day 6
05.00 Dep. Sävsundet
08.30-08.40 Södertälje
Södertälje lock, 135 meters long, is the largest
lock on our journey.
08.40-14.50 Lake Mälaren, 0.3 meters above sea
level. Sweden’s third largest lake
10.00-12.00 Birka
The Viking community of Birka on the island of
Björkö is often regarded as Sweden's first town.
The town was an important harbor for
international shipping and trade. It was in use
for about 250 years and was abandoned before the
year 1000. Birka features on the World Heritage
list. Guided walk on the island (about 3 km
hilly walk) and visit a museum.
13.45 Drottningholm Castle
Drottningholm Castle, the home of the Royal
family since 1981, is on UNESCO’s list of World
Heritage sites. The castle is passed when there
is time enough.
15.00 Hammarby lock
The final lock on our journey.
15.30 Arrive Stockholm, Skeppsbrokajen
Our cruise ends at Skeppsbrokajen 103, in the
Old Town of Stockholm.
Subject to changes. All times stated are
approximate.
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