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27 July 2020 / 21 Comments

Töreboda, Hajstorp and Sweden's smallest ferry

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Töreboda is a small town in Västergötland, located along the Göta Canal. Here you will find, among other things, Sweden's smallest regular ferry. The municipality also includes Hajstorp, where you can see the locks in two fine double locks.

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Töreboda

When the railway was built in the 1860s, it was thought that Töreboda would be one of the most important stations, as both the Göta Canal and the railway met here. Instead, the canal became more or less obsolete in connection with the development of the railway, and Töreboda never gained the importance that was hoped for. The fine stone railway station still bears witness to the once grandiose plans.

Töreboda

Töreboda is located in Västergötland, about 19 kilometres east of Mariestad.

Our visit to Töreboda

We drove to Töreboda from Wassbackens camping, and parked in the centre to look at the canal and the famous little ferry.

Töreboda Göta kanal

Here we saw, among other things, the passenger boat M/S Bellevue, which was just loading tourists. The boat has its home port in Sjötorp, and during the summer of 2020 it runs day trips on the route Sjötorp - Töreboda and vice versa. The trip takes about 5 hours. Doesn't it look nice?

Töreboda

The Lina ferry - Sweden's smallest regular ferry

Töreboda is home to Sweden's smallest regular ferry, the Lina ferry. The ferry connects the eastern and western parts of Töreboda, located on either side of the Göta Canal, for pedestrians and cyclists.

Färjan Lina i Töreboda

The ferry is pulled across the canal by hand using a rope that runs through the ferry. The short journey takes only 20-25 seconds. When boats need to pass, the line is dropped to the bottom. In winter, the ferry is replaced by a small bridge.

Färjan Lina i Töreboda
Färjan Lina i Töreboda
Färjan Lina i Töreboda

In several places you can read that the ferry Lina is Sweden's smallest regular ferry. According to a sign on the ferry, it is also "the world's smallest ferry", and according to English-language Wikipedia, the Lina ferry is "the world's shortest ferry line". Who knows? When you say "the world's" it certainly sounds grand, or in this case, should we say grand...?

Sveriges minsta färja i Töreboda

Hajstorp

After the visit to Töreboda, we continued to Hajstorp, which meant just over five minutes by car. Here are two double locks that were inaugurated with great pomp and circumstance in 1822 when Karl XIV Johan landed and celebrated the masterpiece. Even today, this is a great place to see the locks in the Göta Canal. Which boat did we see? Well, just in time for our lunch, M/S Bellevue arrived.

We set up hot dogs and sausage rolls at one of the picnic tables, and parked the campervan right next to it. Absolutely perfect lunch view!

Hajstorp
Hajstorp
Hajstorp

See more in the neighbourhood

Not far from Töreboda you will find Wassbacken campsite, which is beautifully located on the Göta Canal. In the neighbourhood you can also visit Mariestad with our 10 tips and the locks in Norrqvarn and Sjötorp, where in summer there is a real holiday atmosphere. further excursion tips from here are Varnhem Monastery and Läckö Castle.

Wassbacken campsite
göra i Västergötland
All our top tips for holidays in Västergötland

We found that both Töreboda and Hajstorp are nice stops when travelling along the Göta Canal. Have you been here? Do you have more tips?

Facts about Töreboda

  • Municipality: Töreboda municipality
  • County: Västra Götaland County
  • Landscape: Västra Götaland
  • Location: Töreboda is located on the Västra Stambanan railway line between Gothenburg and Stockholm.
  • Population: Around 9200 (2020)

Things to see and do in Töreboda

  • Attractions: The Göta Canal, Sweden's smallest regular ferry, the locks in Hajstorp and the obelisk marking the highest point of the Göta Canal (along the canal between Wassbacken and Tåtorp).
  • Camping: Töreboda Camping & Bad (Nya Gästhamnen), Jonsboda Café and camping and Wassbacken's café, camping and hostel.
  • Read more: You can find more information about Töreboda at West Sweden website

History of Töreboda

  • 1860s: The railway was introduced and it was thought that Töreboda would become one of the most important stations. The meeting between the railway and the Göta Canal was seen as an important factor in the importance of the town. When the canal was inaugurated, however, it immediately became obsolete and never gained the importance that, for example, Nils Ericson, the head of railway construction, had hoped for. The fine stone station testifies to the intended importance of the town.
  • Mid-19th century: There was no common time in Sweden and to get timetables right, an "original time" was needed. This was taken in Töreboda.
  • 1909: Töreboda köping was formed.
  • 1939: Köpingen was incorporated into Björkängs parish/country municipality.
  • 1971: Töreboda municipality was formed, with Töreboda as its centre.

Facts about the locks in Hajstorp

  • Inauguration: 23 September 1822, when Charles XIV Johan landed to the cheers of the people. The same evening, Baltzar von Platen received the blue ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim.
  • 100th anniversary: King Gustaf V came to visit.
  • Canal environment: One of the few preserved roller bridges from Motala Verkstad (the oldest parts are from 1822) and an engineer's house from 1902.
  • Parking space: In Hajstorp there are 16 pitches with electricity and a service centre. Price 250 SEK/day (2020).

Upper lock

  • Baptismal name: Thomas Telford (Baltzar von Platen's Scottish adviser)
  • Year of construction: 1822
  • Drop height: 5.0 metres
  • Technical facts: Double lock

Lower locks

  • Baptismal name: The armed forces
  • Year of construction: 1821
  • Drop height: 5.1 metres
  • Technical facts: Double lock

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27 July 2020 6:00
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Sjötorp - and the locks in Norrqvarn

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Wassbacken's campsite - and the Tåtorp lock

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13 Comments

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  1. Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

    How nice! When the Defender is finished, it will probably be a trip here again, Hajstorp!

    27 July 2020 - 8:24

    Reply

  2. Veiken says:

    Wonderful memories. We cycled along the Göta Canal about 10 years ago. 4 days of pedalling from Sjötorp. Of course we took a trip with Lina. Imagine that it is still there! ?

    27 July 2020 - 9:11

    Reply

  3. Ama de casa says:

    What a cute little ferry! Hope it never gets replaced by a permanent bridge.

    Keep up the good work!

    27 July 2020 - 9:44

    Reply

  4. Ditte says:

    Nice to visit Töreboda. I have lived here. No direct "hit". But a couple of hours is ok. And there are some nice things in the surrounding area. Not least to take a boat trip or cycle along the canal bank. And if you are there, it is nice to get to Mariestad a few miles away. You also tested "Lina".
    Nostalgia pictures for me. Nice to see.
    Stay well

    27 July 2020 - 10:15

    Reply

  5. Matts Torebring says:

    This is one of the white spots on my map. It is time to change this after your trip.

    27 July 2020 - 18:40

    Reply

  6. Johnny Wiklund says:

    We were on the boat and saw you during the day 🙂 .

    We had a nice boat trip and we cycled back.

    Nice to read and see your nice report 🙂 .

    27 July 2020 - 20:14

    Reply

8 Pingbacks

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