Dalsland Canal

Dalsland Canal is made up of a string of large and small lakes, bays, fjords, and rivers, connected by around 12 kilometres of canal. The total length of this waterway is approximately 250 km, stretching from the western side of Lake Vänern, through the county of Dalsland, into the county of Värmland, up towards the Norwegian border, and into Norway. The waterway includes 31 locks, divided between 17 locking stations

Dalsland Canal is classed as an Area of National Interest. To travel along the canal is to travel along one of the most beautiful waterways in the world and through a miniature version of Sweden. The canal was built in the 1860s, when the Parliament of the Swedish-Norwegian Union decided to connect the narrow lakes of Dalsland with the waterways of Värmland and Lake Vänern. The intention was to use the canal to transport goods from ironworks and sawmills to Värmland.

The main visitor attraction of the Dalsland Canal is the Aqueduct in Håverud. This was a clever solution to a major problem. It didn't seem possible to build a canal with locks here, because of the soft rock and the deep gorge-like valley with its raging river. The person responsible for this project, Nils Ericsson, suggested that an aqueduct be constructed across the most difficult section, and that the upper part of the canal should be placed on a mountain shelf. This is what was created and there is now both a railway bridge and a road bridge in the same location!

Next to the Aqueduct is Dalsland Center, which is both a museum and a tourist information centre, where multilingual personnel offer guided tours, leaflets about Dalsland, postcards, souvenirs and more. Dalsland Center also boasts a wonderful coffee shop with an outdoor seating area by the canal. Next to the aqueduct is Håverud Brasseri, which is a fish and shellfish restaurant. Håverud's Smoke House has been preparing salmon in traditional ways for more than fifteen years, and sells its products both in Sweden
and abroad. They offer cold and warm-smoked fish.

 Would you like to experience the natural landscape close up and enjoy the winding waterways of Dalsland from a sun lounger on board a boat? Why not explore Dalsland Canal from the comfort of a passenger boat. There are three local shipping companies which offer trips on the lake system during the summer season. They offer both regular trips and boat charter – throughout the waterway The shipping companies are:

M/S Dalslandia >>
M/S Storholmen >>
M/S Nils Ericson af Håverud >>

If you travel on your own boat, all the services you need are available along the canal.

Would you prefer to get really close to the water?! Try canoeing!
The lake system around Dalsland Canal is perfect for paddling. The lakes are long and narrow, the waves are usually gentle and when you fancy a cup of coffee you can simply fill your kettle straight from the lake. The water is crystal clear. Canoeists get closer to nature than anyone else. They glide along almost soundlessly, without frightening the elk drinking from the shore or the beaver splashing its broad tail.

Paddle at your own pace and choose your own route between islands and headlands. Pick a campsite for the night, where the stillness of your surroundings provides a perfect backdrop to your daytime experiences. Dalsland Canal is connected to an enormous number of lakes and waterways. This is one of the finest waterways in Europe - clean air, fresh water and a rich natural landscape.

Welcome to Dalsland – wild and beautiful!

Read more here:
www.dalsland.com
www.dalslandskanal.se