The western side of the Göta canal with children

Taking the family on a road trip along the western part of the Göta canal might be the best adventure of the year. There is plenty to discover for both young and old. See the boats being lifted and lowered by the water in the locks, ride Sweden's smallest ferry, live in a mushroom or try to lock yourself in the children´s miniature canal. And don't forget to stop often, to rest your legs and eat a lot of ice cream!

Sjötorp

It is suggested that you start the day in Sjötorp by looking at the locks in the Göta Canal's first locks as seen from Lake Vänern. There are many locks to see here! Feel free to visit the Canal Museum, where you can learn more about how the canal was built, and about the boats that were built at Sjötorp's shipyard. Afterwards, it is probably a good idea to buy ice cream at Café Baltzar.

Norrkvarn

Midway between Sjötorp and Hajstorp is Norrkvarn's lock area. The children will have fun here! They can play in the Vigdis boat and in the Children's mini canal. And if you have the opportunity, this is where you should spend the night - in a mushroom! The sponges are made of wood, concrete and plywood. Many fun and exciting details make this stop an unforgettable experience for both young and old, and beds are available both in the foot and in the hat. The mushrooms are booked via Norrqvan Hotel & Conference, where you can also have a good dinner in the evening. After a night in the mushrooms, you can rent bikes at the hotel and head towards Töreboda county on the car-free towpath.

Hajstorp

Only 5 kilometers from central Töreboda lies the idyllic Hajstorp. Having a coffee or light lunch by the Göta canal's sparkling water is one of the most summery things there is. Inside the leafy trees, in a yellow former bridge keeper's cabin is now Hajstorp's Slusscafé & Hostel. Here, the aroma of coffee and freshly baked coffee bread spreads all the way to the outdoor dining area, where guests sit under large parasols and chat in the sunshine. Take a bath before proceeding further.

Töreboda

In Töreboda, in addition to cafes and canal life, there is Sweden's smallest regular ferry Lina, which runs across the Göta canal. The ferry is pulled by hand across the canal, and the journey takes only 20-25 seconds. You can try pulling yourself over! In Töreboda there is also Töreboda Camping & Bad, with the Göta Kanal's only pool area. Have a good lunch or early dinner at Restaurant Krubb before cycling the 10 kilometers back to Norrkvarn.

Karlsborg

In the summer idyll of Karlsborg, you will experience gunpowder smoke, underground passageways and rumbling floors. Karlsborgs Fästningsmuseum is a long-standing military museum and inside Karlsborgs Fästning you can join exciting guided tours, for both young and old. Within the walls of the mighty fortress from the 19th century, a small community of its own has grown up - enjoy good food and coffee, an exciting museum and the beat of history.