Walk along Göta Canal
Sjötorp - Norrkvarn - Tåtorp
A walk along the Göta Canal is a peaceful experience. At a slow pace, you have time to enjoy the unique canal environment with boating, locks and folklife along the canal. You walk 35 kilometres on the gravel towpath along the canal with interesting sights, good food and unique accommodations along the way.
The Swedish construction work of the millennium
Sweden's largest building project is a hard to beat adventure that is 190 kilometers from Söderköping in Östergötland, through lakes Roxen and Boren out into lake Vättern. In Västergötland, the journey continues up through lake Bottensjön and lake Viken before the canal drills its way all the way up to Sjötorp on Vänern's eastern shore.
Along the canal, you walk on a gravel, car-free, old towpath in a fantastic nature and environment. The towpaths were built along the canal during the construction of the Göta Canal. It was not possible to propel sailing ships on the narrow canal sections, so oxen or horses had to pull the schooners. To learn more about the interesting history that exists along the canal, several walking guides have been produced.
Quick facts of the hike
Length: 35 kilometers
Time required: Approx. 8 hours, just enough for two or three day stages
Level of difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Car-free graveled road along the canal
Experiences along the hike
There is much to experience along the canal. The small, picturesque communities are filled with activities, events and attractions for everyone. During the summer season, Göta Canal is trafficked by leisure boats as well as passenger boats, and then there are also many cyclists who travel on the towpaths and looks at the locks. If you'd rather cycle, there are a multitude of different cycle packages and at Sjötorp's experience center you can rent bicycles.
