The Telemark Canal
Welcome to the Telemark Canal
Completed in 1892, the Telemark Canal was considered a groundbreaking engineering achievement and was described by many as the eighth wonder of the world. Travellers from Norway and abroad came to experience the new waterway, where locks lifted boats through varied and dramatic landscapes.
The 105-kilometre journey from Skien to Dalen passes through eight lock systems with a total of 18 locks and a lift height of 72 metres. Originally, the canal was built to transport goods such as timber and agricultural products from the interior of Telemark to the coast.
Today, the Telemark Canal is both a historical and cultural experience — a journey through landscapes where nature, engineering and history meet. Sail through the locks, surrounded by mountains, forests and small settlements along the water, and experience a journey that has fascinated travellers for more than a hundred years.
Explore the canal along the way
You may board and disembark at several stops along the Telemark Canal and combine the journey with experiences on land. Throughout the canal region, you will find hiking opportunities, cultural sites and activities that make it easy to shape the journey at your own pace.
Our unique canal packages
A combination of journeys on the Telemark Canal and stays at Dalen, available from May to October.
1 night / 2 days
Lock Cruise Ulefoss
2 nights / 3 days
Canal Enthusiast – 2 nights
1 night / 2 days
Sailing from Lunde
2 nights / 3 days
Boat Enthusiast – 2 Nights
1 night / 2 days
Canal & Hiking Stay – Lårdalsstigen
M/S Henrik Ibsen & M/S Victoria
M/S Henrik Ibsen and M/S Victoria are the two historic passenger ships that sail the Telemark Canal daily.
Both vessels offer the opportunity to experience the canal at a slower pace, whether choosing a day trip or a longer journey. M/S Henrik Ibsen is marked by tradition and nostalgia, with classic interiors and an atmosphere that brings another era to life. M/S Victoria has been part of canal traffic for more than a hundred years and is known for its timeless character and elegance.
Vrangfoss Lock
Vrangfoss is the largest lock system along the Telemark Canal, with a total lift height of 23 metres.
Here, visitors may watch the lock keepers at work as boats are lifted through the locks — a process that still follows the same principles used when the canal was first built.
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Arrivals and Locks
On the map of the Telemark Canal, you will find an overview of docks, lock systems and connecting roads, making it easier to plan your journey.
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