Must-See Locks Along the Göta Canal

Discover the Beautiful Lock Environments

Göta Canal is not only one of Sweden’s most famous waterways – it is also an impressive engineering achievement featuring a series of locks that allow boats to navigate height differences along the route. Watching boats pass through the locks is a popular pastime. Of the canal’s 58 locks, 21 are located in the stretch between Lakes Vänern and Vättern.

The Locks in Sjötorp

Sjötorp is the gateway to Lake Vänern, home to several locks that guide boats between the lake and the canal. The first lock is popularly known as Sjöslussen. This area has long been a central hub for canal traffic, and the well-preserved locks clearly reflect the engineering expertise of the early 1800s.

Visitors can stroll along the quayside, watch boats being locked through, and enjoy the charming harbor setting. The locks in Sjötorp have traditional ceremonial names such as Adeln, Prästerna, Bönderna, and Handeln.

Construction years: 1816–1822

The Locks in Norrkvarn

At Norrkvarn, two locks sit close together – the upper and the lower. Both are single locks with a fall height of 2.9 meters.

As the name suggests, a mill once stood here, and the current mill building now houses a hotel. The site also features a miniature canal where children can learn about how Göta Canal works through play.

Construction years: 1821–1822

The Locks in Hajstorp

Hajstorp has several locks: the upper and lower locks, along with those at Godhögen and Riksberg. The latter are named in honor of Baltzar von Platen, the founder of Göta Canal. Their impressive construction makes this one of the canal’s most striking environments.

Hajstorp is also home to the canal master’s residence from 1902, now privately owned. The locks here are a popular spot for watching boats pass through the historic surroundings.

Construction years: 1819–1822

Tåtorp Lock

Tåtorp’s lock is a “controlling lock,” meaning it regulates the water level between the canal and Lake Viken. It is also the only hand-operated lock of its kind on the western side of the canal.

The bridge at Tåtorp is not only visually distinctive – its history is unusual as well. Originally, the canal company was responsible for providing a crossing, and they chose the cheaper option: a ferry. When the ferry service was discontinued in 1933, the only way to cross the canal for nearly twenty years was to walk across the lock gates. Eventually, the local residents grew tired of this and ordered a bridge from Germany themselves, entirely without involvement from the canal company.

Construction year: 1814

Forsvik Lock

Forsvik Lock is unique in several ways: it is the oldest lock on Göta Canal and the single lock with the greatest fall height (3.5 meters). Around 500 soldiers worked for three years to complete it. Despite this, the lock was built too short and had to be corrected in the 1850s.

Forsvik is a historic village that attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the café and explore the beautifully preserved industrial heritage.

Construction year: 1813