Cycle along the Göta Canal – here are the stops you shouldn’t miss

The Göta Canal is one of Sweden’s national cycle routes. You can cycle at a gentle pace on the car free towpath running alongside the canal, and it’s easy to stop for something to eat, or just rest your legs for a moment as you watch all the pleasure boats gliding past.

10 cycling stops along the Göta Canal

1. Sjötorp by Lake Vänern

The Göta Canal starts in the little village of Sjötorp, right by Sweden’s largest lake, Vänern. You can watch the canal locks being operated here and visit the Canal Museum to learn all about the facinating history of the Göta Canal, which celebrated its 200^th anniversary in 2022!

Sjötorp is a great place to start your cycle tour. You can hire bikes at Sjötorps Cykeluthyrning.

2. Troll stumps at Norrqvarn

Norrqvarn Hotell & Konferens in Lyrestad offers some of the best accommodation along the whole of the Göta Canal. They serve fantastic food and have a range of differently priced hotel rooms. You can also book a night in one of their exciting troll stumps and mushrooms, providing a really memorable stay!  

If you’re cycling with children we’re sure they’ll love playing in the mini canal right by the hotel.

Our tip! You can book a convenient cycle package with electric bikes and accommodation at Norrqvarn with Sustainable Stella.

3. The locks in Hajstorp

Watching the boats going through the different levels of water in the locks along the canal is a large part of the cycling experience. In Hajstorp there are three locks so it’s all go. You can see when the water is released with gushing force and the boats are raised or lowered.

In the yellow former bridge master’s cottage by one of the locks you’ll find Hajtorps Slusscafé & Vandrarhem where you can have a seat and enjoy lighter lunches, fika or ice cream. Next to the building there is also a parking space for anyone travelling with a motorhome or caravan.

4. Töreboda

Töreboda is one of the larger towns you’ll pass when cycling alongside the Göta Canal in West Sweden. You’ll find Café Visthuset here, a popular hang out for tourists as well as locals. All their baked goods are made on site from organic ingredients.

If you’re a bit more hungry we recommend a visit to Restaurang Krubb in Töreboda’s guest harbour. The restaurant serves a menu directed by the seasons and runs events like music quizzes and Streetfood Friday.

5. Sweden’s smallest ferry

Just before you pedal out of Töreboda you’ll come across a small, but perfectly formed, landmark. The Lina cable ferry is Sweden’s tiniest regular ferry route and goes from one side of the Göta Canal to the other.

The ferry is drawn by hand and the journey takes just 20-25 seconds.

6. Lanthöjden – Göta Canal’s only island.

The tight curve between Wassbacken and Tåtorp was for a long time every boat captain’s nightmare. To avoid queue building a new channel, the Bergkanalen, was excavated in the 1930s and an island was built in the middle of the canal as a consequence.

Lanthöjden is, with its 91.5 metres elevation, Göta Canal’s second highest point (Lake Viken is the highest). An obelisk was raised on the mound soon after the new channel was opened and these days a little wooden bridge connects it to the mainland.  

Hint! Would you like to learn more about the fascinating history of the Göta Canal, and discover places that don’t always feature in the tourist brochures? Then book a guided cycle tour or hike with Värdskapsbyrån.

7. Tåtorp

By the town of Tåtorp, where the canal flows into Lake Viken, the cycle path changes character. The route continues along small country roads to Forsvik, but before you cycle further you can pause at Tåtorps Café & Logi. This picturesque garden café with its apple orchard is the perfect place for a pit stop, and you can also stay the night here.

8. Forsviks Bruk

Since the 1400s water power has driven the mills in the old mill town of Forsvik. Initially there was a primitive flour mill, followed by a sawmill and hammer mill. At the end of the 1970s production was halted, and nowadays Forsviks Bruk is a thriving industrial heritage museum with guided tours, exhibitions and courses. It’s well worth a visit!

One of the mill’s listed buildings is home to Forsviks Vandrarhem. The rooms are decorated with an eye for period detail, with flowery wallpaper, cast iron stoves, Butt & Bead panelling and lovely wooden floorboards.

Forsviks Café serve good food and fika right next to the canal. You’ll get a great view of the boatlife from the café’s garden, and can leisurely watch the bridge on the adjacent car and cycle path being raised and lowered.

9. Karlsborg’s Fortress

Karlsborg played a key role in Sweden in the past, as it was the country’s reserve capital city. The royal family, government and gold reserves would be moved there in the event of war.

The planned build duration of Karlsborg’s Fortress was 10 years but it took all of 90 years before everything was finished.

Today, there’s lots going on within the fortress walls, with shops, cafes and a museum. Guided tours take visitors of all ages around the area, including down into the underground passageways. You can also explore by yourself to get a feel of this imposing building.

10. Experience the canal from the water

As you’ll have noticed, there are many fascinating places to visit along the Göta Canal, but the water itself is a huge attraction so why not combine a cycle tour with a boat trip? Several of the canal boats will let bikes be stowed as luggage.

Upplevelsepaket offers ready made packages where both bike hire and boat cruise are included, with accommodation and meals. It could hardly be any more convenient!

Discover more cycle routes in West Sweden