Telemark Canal
Norway · Telemark · 30 m
Description
The Telemark Canal was cut between 1887 and 1892 to float timber from the inland lakes down to the sea, and it lifts a boat seventy two metres over eighteen locks in a hundred and five kilometres. It was called the eighth wonder of the world when it opened. The lock gates at Vrangfoss are still worked by hand in a staircase of five chambers, and the same canal boats have run the route for well over a century, the older of them built in 1882. A road follows the water the whole way and watching the locks costs nothing.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Vrangfoss lock staircase of five chambers
- Canal boat from Skien to Dalen
- Ulefoss and the Eidsfoss lock gates
- Ulefos Hovedgaard manor house
- Cycling the canal road (May - September)
- Norsjø and Bandak lakes
- Lock keepers' houses along the waterway
- Canoeing and kayaking the canal (May - September)
- Eidsborg stave church and the West Telemark Museum(Day trip)
- Dalen Hotel in the wooden dragon style(Day trip)
- Walking paths between the locks
- Telemark industrial heritage at Notodden(Day trip)