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Detailed Itinerary: Mariestad - Norsholm

Skip to Norsholm to Mariestad itinerary

Day 1
09.00
Departure by bus from Gothenburg (the Clarion Hotel Post, Drottningtorget Square). Please note that the bus transfer from Gothenburg to Mariestad must be booked in advance.
11.30
Dep. Mariestad
Our cruise with the M/S Wilhem Tham begins on the shore of Lake Vänern, in the city of Mariestad. The old part of Mariestad is one of Sweden’s most well-preserved wooden cities. The church tower is an impressive sight from the lake and on land.
11.30 - 13.00
Lake Vänern
44 metres above sea level. Lake Vänern is Sweden’s largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.
13.00 - 15.20
Sjötorp
Here we enter the first of the 58 narrow locks on the Göta Canal. At Sjötorp we have a set of eight locks and also the remains of some old shipyards.
17.40 - 19.20
Godhögen–Hajstorp övre
We pass a lock system consisting of four locks in beautiful surroundings. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp. Here is the Canal Engineer’s home, now privately owned and the old smithy. Take the opportunity to join the tour guide on a guided walk along the locks.
20.20
Töreboda
The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here.  Töreboda also proudly presents Sweden’s smallest ferry, ”Lina”, which travels back and forth across the Göta Canal.
22.15
Arr. Vassbacken
We dock for the night at Vassbacken.

Day 2
06.45
Dep. Vassbacken
07.00
The Berg Canal
This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend, which was straightened in 1930-33.
07.15
The Obelisk
An obelisk marks the highest point (91.5 metres above sea level) of the Göta Canal.
07.40 - 07.50
Tåtorp
One of the canal’s two hand-operated locks is found at Tåtorp.
07.50 - 09.55
Lake Viken
The beautiful Lake Viken (91.8 metres above sea level) serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Göta Canal.
08.55 - 09.55
The Spetsnäs Canal / Bill-strömmen
We steer through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies.
09.55 - 10.15
Forsvik lock
The lock at Forsvik, built in 1813, is the oldest one in the canal. The impressive iron bridge dates from the same year. In the lock we are sometimes greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group. From here on we will be going downwards!
10.15 – 12.15
Forsviks Bruk
Forsvik is one of Sweden’s most interesting industrial communities. For six hundred years, iron has been worked, boards have been sawn and flour has been milled here. Historical buildings used for fine metalwork, a foundry and a wood pulp mill are found in this beautiful and unique environment. Exciting and informative displays tell about metalworking, engineering and life in this industrial community. Here we get to enjoy an interesting guided tour. If we are lucky the paddle steamer Eric Nordevall II will be moored in the harbour. The paddle steamer is a full-scale replica of the Eric Nordevall, one of Sweden’s first power-driven ships. The paddle steamer was built in 1836, but sunk 20 years later in Lake Vättern. It was rediscovered in 1980 at a depth of 45 metres. The Eric Nordevall II was launched in 2009 and made its first trip in 2011.
13.00
Karlsborg
Before our ship enters Lake Vättern, we pass Karlsborg and will be able to see the roof of the fortress, which was built in 1819-1909.
13.00 - 15.00
Lake Vättern
With a length of 135 km and a width of 31 km, Lake Vättern is Sweden’s second largest lake, 89 metres above sea level. The lake is unusually deep and its water is very clear.
15.15 - 17.15
Motala
It was Baltzar von Platen who drew up the plans for Motala, and today it is called “the Capital of the Göta Canal”. In 1822 an engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the Göta Canal and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry. Here you also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, responsible for operation and maintenance. We visit the Motala Motor Museum, with its large exhibition of antique cars and motorcycles in authentic surroundings, collection of radios, toys, household appliances and more. You can also walk to see Baltzar von Platen’s grave, about 1 km along the left side of the canal.
18.15 - 18.55
Borenshult
The lock staircase at Borenshult is the second longest in the canal, with five locks
connected and a total rise of 15.3 metres. Here you might hear the nightingale sing.
18.55 - 19.55
Lake Boren
Our boat slowly traverses Lake Boren, 73 metres above sea level.
20.00
Arr. Borensberg
Our ship berths for the night in the idyllic village Borensberg, where there is a hand-operated lock.
Day 3
05.00 - 05.10 Dep. Borensberg
After the lock we see the well-known Göta Hotel from 1908. Just past the
hotel there is a small gazebo leaning out over a sharp bend in the canal, known as the “Helmsman’s Horror”.
05.30
Kungs Norrby, aqueduct
The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 and leads over the national route 36.
08.40
Ljungsbro, aqueduct
We pass the second aqueduct on our journey. This one was built in 1970.
09.00
Berg (Heda)
We start our descent in the lock system of Berg (15 locks) towards Lake Roxen. The tour guide takes us on a walk (app. 3 km) to see the Vreta Kloster church and the remains of the convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal or take a refreshing swim in Lake Roxen.  The convent of Vreta dates from about 1100 and was the first nunnery in Sweden. Its importance was later superseded by the convent founded by Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta) at Vadstena. The old convent church at Vreta is one of Sweden’s most interesting, offering many medieval treasures. Today, it is used as a parish church and is therefore not always open to visitors.
10.20 - 11.20
Berg (Carl Johan)
The Carl Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. This lock staircase will lower the boat 18.8 metres from the Berg guest harbour to Lake Roxen.  Here we board the ship again before steering out on
the lake.
11.20 - 13.20
Lake Roxen
33 metres above sea level.
13.30
Arr. Norsholm lock
Here the canal crosses the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö, and this is the end of our cruise with the M/S Wilhelm Tham.
16.00
Arr. Stockholm,
The bus arrives in Stockholm, by the Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, Vasagatan 1 (next to the Central Station and the City Terminal) at approx. 16.00. Optional bus transfer to Stockholm (to be booked in advance).

Departures & Pricing

Detailed Itinerary: Norsholm - Mariestad

Skip to Mariestad to Norsholm itinerary

Day 1
09.00
Departure by bus from Stockholm (the Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, Vasagatan 1 – next to the Stockholm Central Station and the City Terminal).  Please note that the bus transfer from Stockholm to Norsholm must be booked in advance.
11.30
Dep. Norsholm Our cruise with the M/S Wilhelm Tham begins in Norsholm. Here the canal crosses the main railway line between Stockholm and Malmö.
11.30 - 13.30
Lake Roxen
33 metres above sea level.
13.30 - 14.30
Berg (Carl Johan)
The Carl Johan lock staircase is the longest in the canal with seven connected locks. This lock staircase will raise the boat 18.8 metres fromLake Roxen to the Berg guest harbour. The tour guide takes us on a walk (app. 3 km) to see the Vreta Kloster church and the remains of the convent. As an alternative you can walk along the canal or take a refreshing swim in Lake Roxen.  The convent of Vreta dates from about 1100 and was the first nunnery in Sweden. Its importance was later superseded by the convent founded by Saint Bridget (St. Birgitta) at Vadstena. The old convent church at Vreta is one of Sweden’s most interesting, offering many medieval treasures. Today, it is used as a par ish church and is therefore not always
open to visitors.
16.10
Berg (Heda)
The ship has passed all 15 locks in the Berg lock system. It is time to board for departure.
16.30
Ljungsbro, aqueduct
We pass the first of two aqueducts in the canal. The Ljungsbro aqueduct was built in 1970.
19.40
Kungs Norrby, aqueduct
The aqueduct at Kungs Norrby was built in 1993 as part of the national route 36.
20.00 - 20.10
Borensberg
At Borensberg there is a hand-operated lock. Shortly before the lock we pass
a small gazebo leaning out over the canal in a sharp bend known as the “Helmsman’s Horror”, and after that we see the well-known Göta Hotel, built
in 1908.
20.20
Arr. Borensberg Our ship berths for the night in the idyllic village Borensberg.
Day 2
06.20
Dep. Borensberg
06.20 - 07.20
Lake Boren
Our boat slowly traverses Lake Boren, 73 metres above sea level.
07.20 - 08.00
Borenshult
The lock staircase at Borenshult is the second longest in the canal, with five locks connected and a total rise of 15.3 metres. Here you might hear the nightingale sing.
09.00 - 10.30
Motala
It was Baltzar von Platen who drew up the plans for Motala, and today it is called “the Capital of the Göta Canal”. In 1822 an engineering works, Motala Werkstad, was established here to serve the Göta Canal and is today considered to be the cradle of Swedish industry. Here you also find the head office of the Gota Canal Company, responsible for operation and maintenance. We visit the Motala Motor Museum, with its large exhibition of antique cars and motorcycles in authentic surroundings, collection of radios, toys, household appliances and more. You can also walk to see Baltzar von Platen’s grave, about 1 km along the left side of the canal.
10.30 - 12.40 Lake Vättern
With a length of 135 km and a width of 31 km, Lake Vättern is Sweden’s second largest lake, 89 metres above sea level. The lake is unusually deep and its water is very clear.
12.40
Karlsborg
We pass Karlsborg and will be able to see the roof of the fortress, which was built in 1819-1909.
13.40 - 15.30
Forsviks Bruk
Forsvik is one of Sweden’s most interesting industrial communities. For six hundred years, iron has been worked, boards have been sawn and flour has been milled here. Historical buildings used for fine metalwork, a foundry and a wood pulp mill are found in this beautiful and unique environment. Exciting and informative displays tell about metalworking, engineering and life in this industrial community. Here we get to enjoy an interesting guided tour. If we are lucky the paddle steamer Eric Nordevall II will be moored in the harbour. The paddle steamer is a full-scale replica of the Eric Nordevall , one of Sweden’s first power-driven ships. The paddle steamer was built in 1836, but sunk 20 years later in Lake Vättern. It was rediscovered in 1980 at a depth of 45 metres. The Eric Nordevall II was launched in 2009 and made its first trip in 2011.
15.30 - 15.50 Forsvik lock
The lock at Forsvik, built in 1813, is the oldest one in the canal. The impressive iron bridge dates from the same year. In the lock we are sometimes greeted with songs and flowers by the Kindbom family, a religious group.
15.50 - 16.50
Billströmmen/ the Spetsnäs Canal
Through two narrow, wood-lined passages and small lakes full of water lilies, we steer out into Lake Viken.
15.50 - 18.00
Lake Viken
The beautiful Lake Viken (91.8 metres above sea level) serves as a water reservoir for the western section of the Göta Canal.
18.00 - 18.10
Tåtorp
At Tåtorp there is another hand-operated lock. From here on we will be going downwards!
18.30
The Berg Canal
This part of the canal is called the Berg Canal and originally had a sharp bend, which was straightened in 1930-33.
The Obelisk
An obelisk marks the highest point (91.5 metres above sea level) of the Göta Canal.
21.00
Töreboda
The railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg crosses the canal here. Töreboda also proudly presents Sweden’s smallest ferry, ”Lina”, which travels back and forth across the Göta Canal.
22.00
Arr. Hajstorp
At Hajstorp there is a lock system consisting of four locks in beautiful surroundi
ngs. In 1822 the western section of the Göta Canal was inaugurated at Hajstorp. Here is the Canal Engineer’s home, now privately owned and the old smithy. Overnight stop.
Day3
05.00
Dep. Hajstorp
05.00 - 06.30
Hajstorp - Godhögen
If you want to stretch your legs this is a good place, Hajstorp to Godhögen lock is app. 1.5 km.
08.50 - 11.00
Sjötorp
At Sjötorp there is a set of eight locks, and also the remains of some old shipyards. We visit the old warehouse, where you can find a shop selling, among other things, clothes and home décor, a café and the Sjötorp Canal Museum. In the museum you can see old pictures of Sjötorp, the interiors of several old ships, and also learn more about the building of the canal. There is also a map of all the sunken ships in the Lake Vänern. Enjoy a lovely walk along the locks.
11.00 - 13.30
Lake Vänern
44 metres above sea level. Lake Vänern is Sweden’s largest lake and the third largest lake in Europe, after the Ladoga and Onega lakes in Russia.
13.30
Arr. Mariestad
Our cruise ends on the shore of Lake Vänern, in the city of Mariestad. The old pa
rt of Mariestad is one of Sweden’s most well-preserved wooden cities. The church tower is an impressive sight from the lake and on land.
16.00
Arr. Gothenburg The bus arrives in Gothenburg, by the Clarion Hotel Post, Drottningtorget Square, at approx. 16.00. Optional bus transfer to Gothenburg (to be booked in advance).

Departures & Pricing

Advisements:

• A valid passport is requireed for travel. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after the last day of travel.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• All times stated are approximate and subject to change, as weather and traffic conditions can cause some delays. For that reason you should arrange to have a good time margin for continued travel on the day of arrival. The shipping company can not be held responsible for any additional costs in conjunction with delays that are beyond the company’s control.
• There is no long-term parking near the quays in Gothenburg and Stockholm.
• For reasons of navigation and passenger safety, the cruise line and the Captain of the ship reserve the right to modify the itinerary of the cruise.