It’s 190 km long, with 58 locks and shovels were used to dig most of it – the Göta Canal.

The Göta Canal stretches between Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to the west and Mem on the east, on the Baltic Sea. It is an impressive 190 km long, took 22 years to build and has 58 locks along its length.

A curious note about the Göta Canal is that when it was completed in 1832 after many delays, the railways had already taken over its role. You can hire a boat to cruise the Göta Canal at your leisure, or go on a mini-cruise or package holiday on M/S Diana, one of the specially built canal boats. Other ways of travelling along the canal include canoeing and kayaking.

Sites of interest along the canal include Karlsborg and Kålmorden Zoo and the many charming hotels, B&Bs and you hostels along the route.