Göta kanalleden connects canal communities across southern Sweden, from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to Mem by the Baltic Sea. Much of the 220 km route follows the historic towpath, passing locks and places where boats and cyclists share the canal landscape. AB Göta kanalbolag leads the organisation responsible for the trail.
From Lake Vänern along the canal
At the western end, Sjötorp is the canal's gateway to Lake Vänern. The first section follows the gravel towpath on the southern side of the water towards Töreboda. Draught animals once used this path to pull boats along the canal.
Lyrestad, Norrkvarn and Hajstorp offer places to pause along the way. In Töreboda, the route reaches the small Lina ferry, which crosses the canal before the next section. The trail is marked in both directions as Sweden's national cycle route number 7.
Aqueducts and locks around Berg
Between Borensberg and Berg, the route stays on the northern towpath. This section is gravel and free of car traffic. At Borensberg, look for one of the canal's manually operated locks before heading towards the aqueducts at Kungs Norrby and Ljungsbro, where the canal passes above roads.
Berg has the canal's largest lock area. Its double locks and flight of seven locks raise or lower boats by almost 29 metres, making it a natural place to stop and watch canal traffic.
Söderköping and the Baltic end
The eastern section runs from Lake Asplången through Söderköping to Mem. It follows the old gravel towpath, with a crossing of the E22 road. Locks punctuate the journey, and Söderköping's canal harbour provides a choice of cafés, restaurants and places to stay.
At Mem, boats enter or leave the canal from the Baltic Sea. The trail can be ridden in either direction, so this waterside endpoint can equally serve as the beginning of a westbound trip.
Planning the ride
The trail is divided into seven sections, making it possible to choose a shorter outing or assemble a longer holiday. The canal organisation publishes descriptions for each section and reports that 87 km of the overall route is car-free towpath. Around lakes and through towns, the alignment differs from the canal-side path.
The route crosses Lakes Vättern and Asplången by boat instead of going around them. Check the boat services when choosing dates: the canal organisation recommends booking ahead to secure a place. Cycle hire is available at several points along the canal, and some providers offer collection and return at different locations.