The Canal Route – bike ride 100 km

The route runs along a low-traffic road and with varied terrain. Some climbs are steep, and the hike is relatively long, so you should have cycled quite a bit before embarking on this hike.

Itinerary
Day 1:
- Attendance at Lunde lock.
- Today's cycling stage: Lunde – Vrådal, approx. 55 kilometers. The trip is mainly on asphalt, on roads with relatively little traffic. Hilly terrain.
- Overnight at Straand Hotel in Vrådal.
- Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Today's cycling stage: Vrådal – Dalen, approx. 45 kilometers. The trip goes on both gravel and asphalt on roads with little traffic. Varied and with moderate hills.
- Check-in at Dalen Hotel.
- Aperitif in the bar at 18:00
- 3-course dinner at the hotel, with table setting at 18:30.
- Accommodation in a Historic Double Room.

Day 3:
- Kl. 08.00 / 08.50 departure by canal boat from Lastein pier at Dalen.
- Dining on board: Breakfast plate is included in the package.
- 13.10 arrival Lunde lock.

Practical information about the canal cruise:
Parking: The car can be parked for free in the parking lot at Lunde lock approx. 200 meters before the lock.

Dining on board: There is a restaurant on board the canal boat. Included in this package is a breakfast plate after departure from Dalen. Time is agreed directly with the crew upon boarding. It is also possible to buy food from the menu on board, without pre-ordering.
It is not possible to get a fixed table during the entire journey, and it is not possible to bring food on board.

Bicycles: We ask that bicycles, and any bicycle trailers, be emptied of all luggage. The bikes are lifted manually on board the boat, and must therefore have the least possible weight. The owner must be helpful when loading and unloading the bike. The maximum weight for a bicycle is 25 kg. The boats do not have room for cargo bikes and other large bicycles. It is not allowed to charge the batteries of e-bikes on board due to the risk of fire. Equipment is transported at the guest's own risk and any damage to the equipment must be covered by the traveler's insurance.

Practical information about the bike tour:
The cycle route is part of the National Cycle Route no.2. First Camp Lunde has maps for various cycling routes for sale. In addition, it is possible to download the map in gpx.file on ut.no pages. If you want to rent a bike, you can contact First Camp Lunde, right next to Lunde lock: https://firstcamp.no/destinasjoner/lunde-telemark. We would like to point out that there are two tunnels without lights between Lunde and Vrådal. Therefore, bring lights for the bike or headlamp, as well as a reflective vest.

Food and drink along the way by bike:
Please note that there are no places to buy food and drink on the stretch between Lunde and Vrådal, and between Vrådal and Dalen. Therefore, make sure to bring enough food and drink for the bike ride. At Straand Hotel you can buy and make your own packed lunch that you can take with you on the trip. There are grocery stores in Lunde and Vrådal.

Interesting stops:
Heksas Kjøkken - feel free to make a stop at Heksas Kjøkken at Hogga locks when you cycle past. This is a family-run restaurant and is located in the old lock master's residence at Hogga Sluser. They focus on short-distance food from the area, and serve you a delicious lunch.

Murane – a well-preserved dirt road that dates from 1853. The road was the original connection between Norsjø and the lakes Flåvatn, Kviteseidvatnet and Bandak. The preserved stretch is 1.7 km, and it is part of the Canal Route. The hallmark of Murane is the stones that are set up between the road and the canal.

Kilen Camping - perfect for a dip. Kilen Camping is beautifully located by the Telemark Canal, and has a great beach that is perfect as a stopover along the way to take a dip. During the summer, they also have a fast food restaurant - remember to check the opening hours on their own website.

Kviteseid Bygdetun - one of the oldest open-air museums in the country! It was established in 1907, and is a collection of 12 different buildings that have been moved there from different farms. Some of the buildings date back to the "Black Death". The village museum will give an impression of what a prosperous farm looked like about 200 years ago.

Bandakslihekti - a picnic area with history. This is a well-preserved and protected part of the road that was built in 1860. The road was built to transport copper ore from Åmdals Verk to Bandaksli pier, so that it could be transported further by boat to Skien.

Bandaksli pier - Bandaksli pier is no longer in use for the canal ships, but is today used as a sleeping box by both paddlers and cyclists along the Telemark Canal. A photo exhibition has also been set up about life at Bandaksli in older times.

Practical information about the accommodations:
Straand Hotel:
In the evening, dinner is served in the restaurant, and time is agreed at the reception at check-in. Straand Hotel is one of Telemark's foremost full-service hotels and is a member of the Historic Hotels and Eateries. Straand is known for its pleasant atmosphere and good food. They have their own beach, swimming pool, as well as many other amenities.

Dalen Hotel:
Today's 3-course dinner is served from 18:00 in the hotel's restaurant. The exact time will be stated at check-in. The restaurant has a dress code in the evening and it is desirable that guests dress nicely (trousers, shirt, suit jacket, etc.) and it is possible to borrow a suit jacket at the hotel. Dalen Hotel is known as the fairytale hotel from 1894, in a sumptuous romantic style with dragon heads, towers and spires, balconies, projections and cornices. It is one of Norway's oldest wooden hotels and a member of De Historiske Hotell og Spisesteder.

Ordering and payment:
Price: The price of this package varies according to date and room type. The current package price can be found by searching for the desired date.

Periods 2026: 18 May – 4 October