Red Route
Motala
Sjötorp
Follow the Göta Canal west from Motala to Sjötorp on Lake Vänern. The Red Route takes you across Lake Vättern and onward through Forsvik, Lake Viken and some of the canal’s most iconic settings – a varied journey for anyone who wants to experience the western part of the Göta Canal.
About the route
Discover the Red Route to Sjötorp and Lake Vänern
The Red Route starts in Motala and heads west across Lake Vättern towards Karlsborg and Forsvik. Enjoy a varied canal experience with wide lakes, historic canal settings and some of the Göta Canal’s best-known attractions.
Beyond Forsvik, the journey continues along Spetsnäskanalen and Lake Viken towards Tåtorp, Töreboda, then on through Hajstorp, Norrkvarn and Lyrestad. The turning point is Sjötorp, where the Göta Canal meets Lake Vänern.
The Red Route is ideal for travellers who want to see a great deal of the canal’s western section and is particularly suitable for experienced skippers or returning guests. For a more relaxed pace with more time for stops, we recommend two weeks.
Start & finish:
Motala
Duration:
1 week
Turning point:
Sjötorp
Suitable for:
More experienced skippers
Day by day
Itinerary for Red 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 – Forsvik
Monday
09.00–16.00
Forsvik – Töreboda
Tuesday
09.00–15.00
Töreboda – Sjötorp
Wednesday
09.00–15.00
Sjötorp – Töreboda
Thursday
09.00–15.00
Töreboda – Karlsborg
Friday
09.00–14.00
Karlsborg – Motala
Saturday
09.00
Motala – return the boat
Stops along the way
Guest harbours along the Red Route
On the Red Route you pass several guest harbours along the western Göta Canal. You can stay overnight, stock up on supplies or stop to explore small canal towns and historic surroundings.
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.
Karlsborg
The Göta Canal guest harbour in Karlsborg has berths on both sides of the road bridge. The main attraction is Karlsborg Fortress, which offers guided tours and treasure hunts for children.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Karlsborg is often busy. If the canal company’s harbour is full, there are alternatives: the Carlsborg Sailing Club (CSS) harbour inside the bridge, with electricity, barbecue area, toilets, showers and loan bicycles, or Stenbryggan harbour outside the bridge, close to Karlsborg Fortress.
Forsvik
The first lock of the Göta Canal was built here in 1813. Attractions include the Forsviks Bruk industrial heritage museum and the paddle steamer Eric Nordevall II. There are 12 guest berths.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Many boaters pass Forsvik without stopping, which is a shame because there is much more to see here beyond Forsviks Bruk and the paddle steamer.
Tåtorp
The guest harbour is in Tåtorp by Lake Viken. Tåtorp has the only manually operated lock in the West Gothland section of the canal, a pleasant garden café and a walking path to Lanthöjden, the highest point of the excavated canal.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Ideal for a lunch stop before or after crossing Lake Viken.
Vassbacken
Vassbacken offers a guest harbour, campsite, cabins and a hostel. There is also a café serving meals and summer entertainment.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: If you do not need to stock up on provisions, Vassbacken is a pleasant, family-friendly alternative to Töreboda.
Jonsboda
Guest harbour by Jonsboda Bridge east of Töreboda. Facilities include a sauna, summer café and waffle hut, holiday cabins and motorhome pitches.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A quieter alternative to Töreboda for those seeking some peace, with access to a wood-fired sauna.
Töreboda
Guest harbour in Töreboda with jetties on both sides of the canal. Shops and services are close by. The campsite by the harbour has a swimming pool area, adventure mini golf and a skate park.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Heading east towards Söderköping, this is a good place to check your supplies.
Hajstorp
The guest harbour is beside the Hajstorp locks, a popular Göta Canal attraction with several locks close together, a café and local crafts.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A pleasant guest harbour with modern, well-maintained service facilities.
Norrkvarn
Guest harbour at the Norrkvarn lock area near Lyrestad. Visiting boaters can moor right in the heart of the attraction. There is a miniature canal for children and the Norrqvarn Hotel & Conference centre, with a restaurant and waterfront terrace.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: One of the most family-friendly guest harbours.
Lyrestad
Lyrestad guest harbour is a popular meeting place for boaters, motorists and cyclists. In summer, the local heritage society opens its museum in the harbour warehouse.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: Forgot to buy something in Sjötorp? This is another opportunity to replenish your supplies at the village shop or eat at one of the local restaurants.
Sjötorp
Guest harbour in the old dock basin above locks 2/3 in Sjötorp. Diesel is available at the quay from a card-operated pump. There are also ten berths between lock 1 and locks 2/3.
Göta Kanal Charter recommends: A charming village with a shop, fresh fish, restaurants, cafés and summer shopping.
Ready to plan your trip?
Explore available boats and find a week that suits you.
Before your trip
Frequently asked questions about Red Route
The Red Route is a more extensive itinerary for those who want a longer canal journey and ideally have some previous boating experience.
The Red Route is the longer of our itineraries. As the route and journey time can vary, please refer to the current route information and your booked period.
Yes. You receive maps, guides and navigation aids, and we are happy to go through the itinerary with you before departure.
The route heads west from Motala towards Sjötorp and Lake Vänern before returning. The exact itinerary and journey length are given in the current route information.
The boat should suit your group and the type of journey you are planning. Contact us if you would like help choosing a boat for this longer route.
