Gota Canal - Soderkoping - Gothenburg

   
 
 

Gota Canal - Coast to Coast, Soderkoping - Gothenburg

2 Seas, 1 River, 3 Canals, 8 Lakes and 66 Locks

4 Days / 3 locations in Sweden

This is a different version of the traditional cruise in either direction between Gothenburg and Stockholm which has been on the schedule almost every year since the shipping line was established in 1869. On this cruise, the ship moors at night and fewer excursions are offered. The cruise starts in Soderkoping with a bus from Stockholm.

It is also possible to take this cruise from Gothenburg to Soderkoping (bus to Stockholm from Soderkoping) or to take 2, 4 (Classic Cruise) and 6 day versions of this cruise.

See also:

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Itinerary

 
Day 1     Stockholm
On Board the M/S Wilhelm Tham
Meals: Lunch / Dinner

Optional bus transfer from Stockholm to Söderköping (to be booked in advance).

09.00 The bus departs from Stockholm, Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, Vasagatan 1 (next to the Central Station and the City Terminal) at 09.00.

11.30 Dep. Söderköping Departure from Söderköping (next to the lock). The idyllic town Söderköping was

founded in the early 1200s and was very important during the Hanseatic period. The town also has a long and very interesting history as a spa.

12.00 - 13.15 Duvkullen–Mariehov–Carlsborg

From Söderköping to the lock Carlsborg Övre there are eight locks on a stretch of app. 4km.

14.45 - 15.25 Lake Asplången 27 metres above sea level.

16.55 - 17.05 Norsholm lock Here the canal crosses the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö.

17.05 - 19.05 Lake Roxen 33 metres above sea level.

19.05 - 20.05 Berg (Carl-Johan) The Carl-Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. The

evening offers the possibility to take a walk along the canal, or to go for an evening swim in Lake Roxen below the Carl-Johan lock staircase.

21.45 Berg (Heda) The ship has passed all 15 locks in the Berg lock system.

22.05 Ljungsbro,aqueduct

We pass the first of two aqueducts in the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970.

22.25 Ljungsbro Overnight stop.

 
Day 2     Gota Canal - Soderkoping
On Board the M/S Wilhelm Tham
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

06.00 Depart Ljungsbro

Ljungsbro aqueduct We pass the first of two aqueducts in the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970.

08:30 - Kungs Norrby, aqueduct. The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36.

9:15 - 9:25 - Borensberg At Borensberg there is a hand-operated lock. Shortly before the lock we pass a small gazebo leaning out over the canal in a sharp bend known as the Helmsmans Horror, and after that we see the well-known Gota Hotel, built in 1908.

9:25 - 10:25 -Lake Boren 73 metres above sea level.

10:25 - 11:05Borenshult- Lock staircase of five locks where you might hear the nightingale sing.

12:-00 - 13:15 Motala - It was Baltzar von Platen who drew up the plans for Motala, and today it is called “the Capital of the Göta Canal”. In 1822 an engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the Göta Canal and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry. Here you also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, responsible for operation and maintenance. Motala is yours to explore on your own.

13:15 - 15:15 - Lake Vattern - 89 metres above sea level. Sweden’s second largest lake.

15:15 - We pass Karlsborg and will be able to see the roof of the fortress, which was built in 1819- 1909.

16:10 - 16:20 - Forsvik has a very interesting industrial history. The lock, built in 1813, is the oldest one in the canal. The impressive iron bridge dates from the same year. In the lock we are sometimes greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group.

16:20 - 18:50 - Billstrommen/The Spetsnas Canal. Through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies, we steer out into Lake Viken.

17:20 - 18:50 - Lake Viken The beautiful Lake Viken (91.8 metres above sea level) serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Gta Canal.

18:50 - At Ttorp there is another hand-operated lock. From here on we will be going downwards!

19:10 - The Berg Canal/the Obelisk. An obelisk marks the highest point (91.5 metres above sea level) of the canal. This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend which was straightened in 1930-33.

21:50 - Treboda The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here. Treboda also proudly presents Swedens smallest ferry, Lina, which travels back and forth across the Gta Canal.

23:00 - Hajstorp A lock system consisting of four locks. In 1822 the western section of the Gota Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp. Here you can see the old home of the Canal Engineer. Overnight here.

 
Day 3     Gota Canal
On Board the M/S Wilhelm Tham
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

06.00 Depart Hajstorp A lock system consisting of four locks. In 1822 the western section of the Gta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp. Here you can see the old home of the Canal Engineer. Hajstorp to Godhogen lock is app. 1,5 km or to Norrkvarn is app. 5km.

7:40 Norrkvarn - All on board!

9:45-11.45 Sjotorp At Sjtorp there is a set of eight locks, and also the remains of some old shipyards.

11:45 - 22:45 - 44 metres above sea level. Sweden’s largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.

15:00 - 17:00 - Läckö 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 a baroque castle in 1652. We are given a guided tour of the castle and the exhibitions (lots of stairs). App. 1 km walk.

21.45 Arrive in Vanersborg where the ship moors.

 
Day 4     Gota Canal
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

07.00 Depart from Vanersborg.

9:00 - 10:15 Trollhattan The Trollhattan Canal Museum is located in a storehouse from 1893. Learn more about the fascinating history of the Trollhatte Canal through the interesting exhibition and film shown here. 10:15 - 11:15 Trollhattan, locks The impressive lock staircase at Trollhattan consists of four locks, and has a total drop of 32 metres. Of the three parallel lock systems here, only the biggest one (from 1916) is still in use.

12:30 - 12:45Lilla Edet The lock at Lilla Edet, built in 1916, is the last lock on our journey. The original lock was opened in 1607 and was the first lock in Sweden.

16.00 Arr. Gothenburg, Packhuskajen 10. Our cruise ends at Packhuskajen 10, near the spectacular Opera House and the Maritime Centre in Gothenburg.

 

Notes

Early Bird discount on all Gota Canal cruises for summer 2016!

15% discount if booked by Dec. 15, 2015

10% discount if booked Dec. 16, 2015 - March 15, 2016!!

Price Includes
Bus from Stockholm to Soderkoping
Two Stops
3 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 3 Dinners
Accommodations in Select Cabin Category
Price Does Not Include
 Air
GOT-1269
1.28.15.WP26