The Canal route – 100 km on bicycle
This is the ultimate cycle trip along the Telemark Canal!
Experience beautiful scenery, lovely accommodations, and an amazing cruise on the Telemark Canal as the “grand prize” on the last day.
The route runs along roads without much traffic and with a varied terrain.
Some inclines are steep, and the route is relatively long.
Therefore, you should have some cycle experience before embarking on this route.
Travel Route:
Day 1
- Cycle trip of the day: Lunde – Vrådal, approximately 55 kilometers.
The road consists mainly of asphalt, on roads with little traffic. Some parts are on gravel.
Varied terrain with some steep inclines.
- Accommodation at Straand Hotel in Vrådal.
- Dinner at the hotel.
Day 2
- Breakfast at the Straand Hotel.
- Cycle trip of the day: Vrådal – Dalen, approximately 45 kilometers.
The road consists of both asphalt and gravel, with little traffic. Varied terrain, with steep declines.
- Check-in at Dalen Hotel.
- Aperitiff in the bar at 18:00.
- 3-course dinner at the hotel, seating time 18:30.
- Accommodation in Historical double room.
Day 3
- Kl. 08.00 / 08.50 departure with one of the canal ships from Lastein pier in Dalen.
- Meals on board: Breakfastplate is included in the package.
- Kl. 13.10 arrival at Lunde lock.
Practical information about the canal cruise:
Parking:
Your car can be parked free of charge at the parking lot about 200 meters from Lunde lock, or at Lunde Vandrerhjem.
Food and beverage:
There is a restaurant on board the canal boats.
Included in this package you will be served a breakfastplate after departing Dalen.
Seating time to be agreed directly with the restaurant staff once you have boarded.
You can also order food directly at the boat from their menu, without prebooking.
It is not possible to book a table for the entire journey, and you can't bring your own food and beverage on board.
Bicycles on board:
Before you board the canal boat, please be sure to empty you bicycle, and bicycle trailer, for luggage.
It is important that they are as light as possible before they are lifted on the top of the boat.
The owner must be attending in both loading and unloading.
Maximum weight for bicycles is 25 kg.
Please note that we do not have the capacity to welcome tricycles or other large cycles.
El-bikes: Remember to bring your key to remove the battery, as it must be removed before boarding. It is prohibited to charge batteries on board due to fire hazard.
Please note that all equipment is transported at your own risk.
Practical information about the cycle trip:
The cycle trip is a part of a national cycle route program.
This specific route is called “the canal route”, and is part of the National route nr. 2.
In Lunde you can buy maps of the route at First Camp Lunde, close to Lunde lock.
This is where you can rent bikes for the trip, if you don't have your own:
https://firstcamp.no/destinasjoner/lunde-telemark
Please note that on the first leg between Lunde and Vrådal, there are two tunnels without lights.
It is important that you bring lights for the cycle, or a headlight.
This is for your own safety.
Food and beverage during the cycle trip:
Please note that there is no place to buy food, snacks, or drink on the legs between Lunde and Vrådal or Vrådal and Dalen.
Be sure to bring enough food and water.
There are grocery stores in Lunde and Vrådal.
At Straand Hotel in Vrådal and at Lunde Vandrerhjem you have a possibility to buy and pack a lunch to bring on the trip towards Dalen.
Interesting site to see along the way:
Restaurant "Heksas Kjøkken"
This familydriven restaurant is located in the old lock master's residence near Hogga locks.
Their focus is to serve local and homemade food.
We recommend to have lunch here!
"Murane"
This part of the bike route is a well preserved part of the original road that connected lake Norsjø in the south to the northern lakes of Flåvatn, Kviteseidvatnet and Bandak.
The 1,7 km long gravel road is know for the rocks that separates the road from the canal, which is a old tradition.
Kilen Camping
Be sure to stop here for a while.
On a warm day, their beach is perfect for a quick swim.
During the summer, they also have a kiosk that serves food - remember to check their opening hours on their own website!
Kviteseid bygdetun
This is on of Norways oldest open air museums.
It was established in 1907, and has a collection of old buildings from different farms throughout the area.
Some of them are even from farms that date back to the "Black Death".
The museum is meant to show what a prosperous farm would have looked like for over 200 years ago.
"Bandakslihekti"
This is also a preserved, and protected, part of an old road which was built in 1860.
The road connected the mines of Åmdal to Bandaksli pier, where they transported the cobber to Skien by boat.
Since the terrain is steep, some of the road will cross itself in knots, as you will see here.
Bandaksli pier
This pier is not in use by the canalships today, but is put to use as a "sleeping box" for bikers and padlers along the Telemark Canal.
There's also a photoexhibition that shows how life at Bandaksli were earlier.
Practical information for the accommodations:
Straand Hotel:
Dinner is served in the restaurant in the evening.
Time to be agreed directly with the hotel staff when checking in.
Straand Hotel is a part of the Historic Hotels and Restaurants in Norway.
The hotel is known for their warm atmosphere and delicious food.
They have their own beach, a swimming pool, and many other facilities.
Dalen Hotel:
A 3-course dinner is served in their restaurant after kl. 18.00.
Exact time will be informed during check in.
In the evening, the restaurant has a smart casual dress code.
It is possible to borrow a suit jacket at the hotel.
Dalen Hotel is known as the fairytale hotel from 1894.
The hotel has a grand romantic style with dragon heads, towers and spiers, balconies, and cornices.
This is one of the oldest wooden hotels in Norway and is a member of the Historic hotels and restaurants.
Booking and payment:
Rate:
The rate for this package can vary when it comes to your choice of date and room type.
Please select date of choice to see the package rate.
PS! These are rates for online bookings.
Fee for bookings made over phone or email is NOK 80,- per person.
Periods 2024:
17. May – 6. September: Daily.
9. September – 4. October: Mondays - Wednesdays (boat trip Wednesday), Wednesdays - Fridays (boat trip Friday) and Fridays - Sundays (boat trip Sunday).
Booking:
Due to high demand, we recommend that you order in advance.
Do not wait until the day before.
Payment:
All reservations must be paid in full when booking.