Hjälmare kanal

About the museum

The Hjälmare kanal (Hjälmare Canal) links Lake Hjälmaren and Lake Mälaren, and is Sweden's oldest artificial waterway that can still be navigated. It was built mainly to ease the transport of goods, especially pig iron, between Bergslagen and Stockholm.

The canal was first built in 1623–1639, but construction problems meant that it did not hold. It was therefore rebuilt and given its present route in the 19th century, in 1819–1839 according to the Västmanlands läns museum (Västmanland County Museum). The original canal survives only at the far south, nearest Lake Hjälmaren.

The canal is 13.7 km long, of which 8.5 km is excavated canal, and it falls 22 metres in total through nine locks, which are still opened by hand. Along the route there are old lock ruins, memorials, lock-keeper's houses and remains of earlier water-powered operations. The canal is owned and run by AB Göta kanalbolag (Göta Canal Company).

Hjälmare docka, the canal's dry dock for laying up boats, is today the centre of the canal, with a canal museum, a guest harbour and a café. The museum and the locks are open in summer.

Highlights

• Nine hand-operated locks
• Sweden's oldest navigable waterway
• Canal museum at Hjälmare docka
• The old canal from the 17th century
• The Säterboleden hiking trail along the canal

Permanent exhibition

• Kanalmuseet vid Hjälmare docka – A museum about the canal's history and the function of the locks at the dock, which is open in summer.

Founded

1639

Operated by

AB Göta kanalbolag

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Gravel walking paths run along the canal from Hjälmare docka. No information on the museum's accessibility is available.

Kids & families

Kvarnsjön's bathing place is near Hjälmare docka.

Getting there & parking

Exit from the E20 between Arboga and Kungsör, just outside Arboga, towards Hjälmare docka; follow the signs. Canal cruises run regularly during the summer.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Hjälmare kanalcafé at Hjälmare docka (August daily 10:00–18:00, September weekdays 11:00–15:00 and weekends 11:00–17:00). Pitches for motorhomes and a guest harbour are at the dock.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.