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ITINERARY
Göteborg - Stockholm, 4 days
Day 1
09.00 Departure Göteborg, Packhuskajen 10
13.15-13.30 Lilla Edet
The lock at Lilla Edet,
built in 1916, is the first lock on our journey.
The original lock was opened in 1607 and was
the first lock in
Sweden.
14.45-15.30 Trollhättan locks
The impressive flight of locks at Trollhättan consists of four locks, covering a 32-meter difference in water level.
There are three lock systems and the biggest one (from 1916) is still in use.
15.30-16.45 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
work-
shop and an old lock
hut. Film show. Walk to see the old locks. Visit
the Canal Museum.
17.30 Vänersborg
This is the last town before we head out into Lake Vänern. The “Brinkebergskulle” lock is just before Vänersborg.
18.00-02.00 Lake Vänern, 44 meters above sea level. Sweden’s largest lake.
22.30 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. The
boat goes close by and the tour guide will tell
the story
of the castle.
Day 2
02.00-03.30 Sjötorp
Here we enter the first of the 58 narrow locks on the Göta Canal. At Sjötorp there is a set of eight locks.
05.10-07.00 Godhögen-Hajstorp Övre
A lock system consisting of four locks. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp.
Walking is possible
for “early birds”. 1.4 km.
08.00 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.
10.20 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.
10.50 Tåtorp
One of the canal’s two manually operated locks is found here.
10.50-13.00 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.
12.00-13.00 Spetsnäskanalen/Billströmmen
We steer through two narrow, wooded passages and small lakes with water lilies.
12.50-13.00 Forsvik
Forsvik lock, built in 1813, is the oldest
lock on the Göta Canal. The impressive iron
bridge was constructed in the
same year.
12.50 Singing
Singing and flowers from the Kindbom family, a religious group. When we leave the lock we will be going downwards!
13.35 Karlsborg
Before our boat enters Lake Vättern, we pass Karlsborg and its fortress, which was built 1819-1909.
13.35-15.20 Lake Vättern, 89 meters above sea level. Sweden’s second largest lake
15.20-18.30 Vadstena
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.
19.45 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, 1km
walk (left side of
the canal). Overnight stop.
Day 3
05.00
Depart Motala
06.00-06.30 Borenshult
Lock stairway of five locks. The song of the nightingale is often heard in this area.
06.30-07.30 Lake Boren. 73 meters above sea level.
07.30-07.40 Borensberg
Here is a manually operated lock and the well-known Göta Hotel.
08.00 Aqueduct
East of Borensberg there is an aqueduct (built in 1993).
10.40 Ljungsbro Aqueduct
We pass over the second aqueduct (built in 1970) on our journey.
11.00 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 one of the most interesting in Sweden, 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.
12.00-13.00 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.
13.00-15.00 Lake Roxen. 33 meters above sea level.
15.00 Norsholm
The railway line between Stockholm and Malmö crosses here.
16.45-17.15 Lake Asplången, 27 meters above sea level
18.40-19.45 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.
20.00-21.30 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.
22.50 Mem
Passing through the last narrow lock before Slätbaken,
an inlet of the Baltic, we leave the Göta Canal.
On 26th
September 1832, the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Mem
amid great pomp and circumstance in the presence
of
King Karl XIV Johan
and his family.
22.50-07.45 The Baltic
We cross open water for a short bit and then weave through the archipelago in the early morning light.
Day 4
07.45-07.55 Södertälje
Södertälje lock, 135 meters long, is the largest lock we will go through.
07.55-13.50 Lake Mälaren. 0.3 meters above sea level. Sweden’s third largest lake.
09.00-11.00 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.
12.45 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.
14.00 Hammarby lock
The final lock on our journey.
14.30 Arrival 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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