Availability
The project "Inclusive tourism in Telemark"
We are part of the business network project to gain knowledge about facilitation for people with disabilities in our tourism company. Unfortunately, we cannot offer universally designed activities/experiences – we have no opportunity to do that, but we work to facilitate for everyone as far as we can. "No one can facilitate everything for everyone, but everyone can facilitate something for someone" is the project's slogan and also describes well our purpose.
Read more about the project:
"Inclusive tourism in Telemark"
Travel with the canal boats
The canal boats are old and have no possibility of universal design. Especially for people with reduced mobility, it can be a challenge on board. However, it is possible to travel with us, with some exceptions. The gangways, for example, are not dimensioned for electric wheelchairs, while a manual wheelchair is fine.
For passengers with reduced mobility, we recommend travelling from/to boarding points where boarding while the boat is in a lock. This is because there can be a steep climb from pier to boat in the places where the boat docks at a quay/pier. Our recommended stretch is from Ulefoss to Lunde.
There are stairs down to the restaurant on board and people with reduced mobility may therefore have difficulty getting down. There are toilets up on deck. On M/S Henrik Ibsen there is an HC toilet on deck, while on the other boats there is a high threshold into the toilet.
If you want to travel with us on a tour that includes a bus, please note that the disabled person must then be able to get into the bus with their own help or with the help of a companion. Lunde taxi center offers maxitaxi with wheelchair lift. This must be pre-booked due to availability. The telephone number for Lunde taxi dispatch centre is 35 94 84 99.
When it comes to groups other than the disabled, we do not have special measures. We have had visually impaired travelers who have brought their own audio interpreter and it has worked well and given good benefit from the trip.
The lock systems
Many people visit the Telemark Canal from land, often in the lock facilities. The different facilities are very differently designed because they are built to fit the terrain. Vrangfoss locks (between Ulefoss and Lunde) is our main facility. Here there is a nice park around the spectacular lock system as well as a kiosk and restaurant. The facility has gravel roads, while right up to the edge of the lock there is paving and some steps. Read more about Vrangfoss locks:
Lunde lock is also one of our main facilities. Here it is flat and much easier to get around and can therefore be recommended for people with reduced mobility. From here there is also a "people's path" that is universally designed. On the trail you can walk along the water from Lunde lock to Lunde center.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about facilitation on/by the Telemark Canal, please contact us.
Phone 409 20 000