Blue Route
Motala
Söderköping
Follow the Göta Canal east from Motala to the summer town of Söderköping. The Blue Route offers historic locks, the lakes Boren, Roxen and Asplången, and a night in Söderköping’s lively canal harbour.
About the route
Discover the Blue Route along the eastern Göta Canal
The Blue Route takes you from Motala through some of the Göta Canal’s most famous scenery. The journey begins at the Borenshult flight of locks and continues across Lake Boren to Borensberg and onwards to the impressive locks at Berg.
After Berg, cross Lake Roxen towards Norsholm and continue through the Östergötland countryside. Via Lake Asplången you reach Söderköping, where the boat stays overnight among restaurants, cafés and the canal’s bustling summer promenade.
On the return trip you follow the same waterways back to Motala. The route is suitable for every boat in our fleet and is especially well suited to our electric boats.
Start & finish:
Motala
Duration:
1 week
Turning point:
Söderköping
Suitable for:
All boats, especially electric boats
Day by day
Itinerary for Blue Route
Times are approximate and may be affected by traffic, lock operations and other conditions along the canal.
Saturday
12.00–14.00
Motala – collect the boat
Sunday
09.00–15.00
Motala – Berg
Monday
09.00–15.00
Berg – Norsholm
Tuesday
09.00–14.00
Norsholm – Söderköping
Wednesday
09.00–15.00
Söderköping – Norsholm
Thursday
09.00–15.00
Norsholm – Malfors
Friday
09.00–14.00
Malfors – Motala
Saturday
09.00
Motala – return the boat
Stops along the way
Guest harbours along the Blue Route
Along the Blue Route you pass several guest harbours where you can spend the night, take a break or stock up on supplies. Here are the main stops between Motala and Söderköping.
Motala verkstad
This is where your canal holiday begins and ends. A small, recently built guest harbour with good facilities, including showers, toilets and parking.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Visit the Göta Canal museum, have coffee at Mallbodens café, enjoy a meal at Berggrens källare, or stock up at grocery stores about 500 metres from the harbour.
Borenshult
Guest harbour below the Borenshult flight of locks on Lake Boren. The five-lock staircase is the Göta Canal’s second largest, with a height difference of 15.3 metres, and is one of Motala’s most popular attractions.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: If you decide not to stop in Borensberg while travelling west, or have had enough locking after descending the Borenshult staircase on an eastbound trip, this harbour offers a peaceful place to rest and spend the night.
Borensberg
Guest harbour in the canal town of Borensberg. Here you will find one of only two Göta Canal locks still operated manually in the traditional way. There are 20 guest berths.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: You will probably spend your second night here, or your second-to-last if heading east. Excellent facilities, with restaurants and grocery stores nearby.
Berg
The locks at Berg are among the Göta Canal’s top attractions, drawing thousands of visitors. The area has restaurants, cafés, adventure golf, a hostel offering bike rentals and more. There are 40 guest berths, plus ten berths below the Carl Johan lock staircase with electricity, water and a service building with showers and toilets.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A natural overnight stop; see the route plan. ICA Nära supermarket is a five-minute walk away.
Norsholm
Guest harbour east of the lock. Guest services are available at Kapten Bille’s Café, which also has an STF hostel and a fully licensed restaurant. Diesel is available at the quay, as is bottled gas. There are 20 guest berths.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Need to stock up? ICA Nära with generous opening hours is just a short walk away. Depending on your plans and the weather, you can spend the night here or at Berg, the next guest harbour.
Söderköping
The canal harbour in Söderköping is one of the Göta Canal’s most popular, with restaurants, cafés and summer shops.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Grocery stores and the Swedish alcohol retailer Systembolaget are nearby. There are many cosy waterside restaurants to choose from, as well as ice cream at Smultronstället, sightseeing trains and more.
Malfors
The guest harbour is beside Malfors Bridge in Ljungsbro, within walking distance of the Cloetta chocolate shop.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: An alternative to staying overnight at Berg. Berg’s restaurants are within walking distance, as is Cloetta’s factory outlet selling delicious sweets.
Ready to plan your trip?
Explore available boats and find a week that suits you.
Before your trip
Frequently asked questions about Blue Route
The Blue Route is suitable for anyone who wants to follow the canal eastwards and combine boating with planned stops and sights along the way.
The route starts in Motala and returns to Motala.
The Blue Route is one of the itineraries well suited to electric boats. We will help you choose the right boat and plan your trip.
You will receive navigation aids, maps and guides to help you follow the route and find the planned stops.
