History of the channel
The Telemark Canal stretches from coast to mountain. From southern idyll on the coast, via rolling fruit landscapes in central Telemark to the high mountains and mighty Hardangervidda, the Telemark Canal was carved into the mountain well over 100 years ago. When the canal was completed in 1892, it was described in Europe as "the eighth wonder", when 500 men had worked for 5 years to blast their way through the mountain. With a total of 18 lock chambers, the road was paved from Skien and into the original Norwegian Dalen, a voyage of 105 km and with a height difference of 72 meters. The canal was called "Hurtigruten" between Eastern and Western Norway and was also the most important traffic artery between upper and lower Telemark for people, livestock, goods and timber.
Today, tourists from near and far come to experience this unique waterway that appears much like over a hundred years ago. The stone-walled lock walls, the idyllic lock master's residences and the huge lock gates with manual opening and closing mechanism – everything is authentic.
Welcome to the Telemark Canal – when the journey is the destination! Read more about the history
Ports of call
The canal boats have many calls on the route. In some places there is boarding and disembarking on piers, in others in a lock system. Here is information about the ports of call (facilities, parking, addresses, etc.). Timetables in the canal season 2026: Daily 18 May - 6 September. M/S Henrik Ibsen also sails from Tuesday - Sunday in the period 8 September - 4 October.
