Trollhätte kanal med husbil - en resa längs Göta älv

Trollhätte Canal by motorhome, how does it work and what can you see along the way? Last summer, we first followed the Göta Canal with the motorhome, and then it felt natural to continue following the Trollhätte Canal and the Göta River from Lake Vänern down to Gothenburg. Here is our guide with tips!

Table of contents

Why follow the Trollhätte Canal by motorhome?

The Trollhätte Canal may not be as charming and cosy as the Göta Canal, but on the other hand the locks are much larger and thus very impressive to look at. There are also some other interesting sights and nice places along the way. If you start by following the Göta Canal from Mem to Sjötorp (east to west), the Trollhätte Canal can be a natural continuation of the route down to Gothenburg.

What is the Trollhätte Canal?

The Trollhätte Canal is a waterway between Lake Vänern and the Kattegat. The canal is 82 kilometres long, of which 1o kilometres is a dug and blasted canal. The rest of the route is a natural waterway in the form of the Göta River. The total difference in level is 43.8 metres and there are a total of 6 locks:

Brinkebergskulle in Vänersborg: 1 lock, level difference 6 metres
Trollhättan: 4 locks, level difference 32 metres
Lilla Edet: 1 lock, level difference 6 metres

In the Trollhätte Canal, much larger ships can lock than is possible in the Göta Canal. The maximum dimensions for ships here are 4000 tonnes, 89 metres long, 13 metres wide and 5.4 metres deep.

Where does the Trollhätte Canal go?

The Trollhätte Canal runs between Vänersborg and Gothenburg. However, most of the waterway can be said to be the Göta River, as only a small part of it is a dug and blasted canal. The map below is a rough sketch and does not claim to be exact, but at least gives an approximate picture.

Trollhätte canal with motorhome - pitches and campsites

There are plenty of pitches and campsites along the Trollhätte Canal, but during the high season some places may need to arrive early to get a spot. You can find tips on pitches and campsites further down in this post. You can also find pitches on the CamperContact app, for example.

Things to see and do between the Göta Canal and the Trollhätte Canal

If you do what we did and travel both the Göta Canal and the Trollhätte Canal by motorhome, you will of course need to travel between Sjötorp (where the Göta Canal ends) and Vänersborg (where the Trollhätte Canal begins). Here are some suggestions for interesting places to see and experience along the way, or with a little detour.

Trollhätte Canal by camper van - from Vänersborg to Gothenburg

Here is a guide with tips on things to see and do, for those who want to travel the Trollhätte Canal by motorhome. We present the suggestions from Vänersborg to Gothenburg, but it is of course possible to travel in reverse order as well!

1. Vänersborg

The Trollhätte Canal starts at Brinkebergskulle lock just outside the centre of Vänersborg. Vänersborg is a nice little town, and outside is the nature reserve Halle- and Hunnebergs rasbranter.

See and do: Take a walk in Skräckleparken, visit Vänersborg Museum, experience lockage at Brinkebergskulle lock, see the Byklev waterfall and hike in the Halle and Hunneberg rapids.
Pitches/camping: Pitches in Vänersborg guest harbour with electricity and service. Free car parks without service are also available. Outside the town is Ursand resort & camping.
Read more: Things to do in Vänersborg - our 5 best tips

Trollhätte kanal med husbil - Vänersbirg

2. Trollhättan

Trollhättan has grown up along the Göta River and the mighty Trollhätte Falls. Three rounds of locks have been built here, industries have been run and Saab cars have been manufactured. An exciting city to visit!

See and do: See the locks, visit the sluice area, see the old sluice paths, take a boat trip on the Göta River, experience the drop, admire the view from Kopparklinten, visit the Saab Car Museum, visit the Innovatum Science Centre and walk the Walk of Fame.
Pitches/camping: There is a nice car park with service just next to the lock area. A free car park without service is also available at Gården Åker, in the lock area. Stenrösets camping is located outside the town.
Read more: Things to do in Trollhättan - our 10 best tips

3. Lilla Edet

Lilla Edet has the sixth and last, or first if you like, lock in the Trollhätte Canal. It is also home to Sweden's oldest lock (no longer in use), which began construction in the 1580s and was completed in 1607.

See and do: See the locking of large ships and check out Sweden's oldest lock.
Pitches/camping: According to CamperContact, pitches are available at Stendammen and Ströms Castle Park.
Read more: We have written about our visit in the post about Bohus Fortress (below).

4. Bohus Fortress

The Bohus Fortress has been defended by Norwegians, Danes and Swedes and has been subjected to a total of 14 sieges - a Nordic record. Today, the castle ruins are an interesting destination for children and adults alike.

See and do: Walk around the fortress and its rooms, towers and dungeons, and try different activities for children.
Pitches/camping: Kungälv Citycamping and Ställplats Fästningsholmen.
Read more: Bohus Fortress - the castle that survived 14 sieges

5. Gothenburg

If you follow the Trollhätte Canal and the Göta River all the way, you end up in Gothenburg. We did not visit Gothenburg during this trip, but in Gothenburg there is of course plenty to see and experience.

See and do: Experience the Gothenburg archipelago, eat seafood, see the Ostinide ship Götheborg, visit Universeum and much more.
Pitches/camping: Liseberg's Skatås car park, Partille car park, Liseberg's Askim strand campsite and other locations.
Read more: Read our guest writer Hannah's best tips for Gothenburg.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Below you will find even more tips for things to see and do in Bohuslän, near Trollhätte Canal.

3 Comments

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Goatfish says:

Nice report on the Göta Canal, especially Trollhättan was appreciated. The fine city that I lived in for ten years. Thrived very well. But then we built a house in Mellerud.... 😀

16 August 2020 - 12:35

BP says:

What great films and wonderful pictures. The first lock was really impressive, and the ship Aspen did not have many millimetres to spare.

16 August 2020 - 22:09

Helena van Hoof says:

Alicja Zochowska's archive on Hanströmsvägen in Göta, in Lilla Edet, has some nice photos and facts about the lock in Edet and the community of Ström (on the western bank of the river). Of course, there is also a lot of photo material about the Götaraset in 1957. But how nice you present Trollhättan and its surroundings. Even we who are used to it are inspired to experience more - in your wonderful spirit! And fun for our guests!

10 October 2022 - 11:34

Trollhätte canal by motorhome - a journey along the Göta river

Why follow the Trollhätte Canal by motorhome?

What is the Trollhätte Canal?

Where does the Trollhätte Canal go?

Trollhätte canal with motorhome - pitches and campsites

Things to see and do between the Göta Canal and the Trollhätte Canal

Trollhätte Canal by camper van - from Vänersborg to Gothenburg

1. Vänersborg

2. Trollhättan

3. Lilla Edet

4. Bohus Fortress

5. Gothenburg

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

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