Trollhättan: Locks, technology and river landscapes

Trollhättan developed along the Göta älv, near the mighty Trollhätte Falls. The city can be explored through several themes: locks and canal history, technology and art, river landscapes, and trails for walks and cycling. You can tailor your stay to whether you mainly want to explore historic sites, visit exhibitions, or spend time outdoors.

Locks and canal history

The Trollhätte Canal Park follows the waters of the Göta älv from Vårvik, past Trollhättan City Park, Spikön and Strandgatan, through the Trollhätte Falls and Älvrummet, and on to the lock area. The old lock installations from 1800, 1844 and 1916 have been preserved as an open-air museum and can be explored on foot. At the same time, the 1916 locks still serve a purpose: they are used by recreational boats and commercial shipping.

When the gates are open, 300,000 litres of water per second can flow through the channel of the Trollhätte Falls. The Canal Museum presents the history of the Trollhätte Canal through boat models, 18th-century guest books and handmade tools. Toilets and staff are available on site.

River landscapes and trails

The Älvrummet nature reserve protects valuable landslide slopes and forest habitats along the Göta älv. The area is used for outdoor recreation and natural history studies. Winding paths lead through green spaces, over the hill and along the riverbank; check trail conditions before your trip. From Kopparklinten, you can look out over Trollhättan and the Göta älv. Another geological feature is Slättbergen: this rare, flat bedrock area formed more than 600 million years ago. More than 260 bird species have been recorded at Hullsjön.

The route lengths and descriptions offer different ways to explore the area. The 2.5 km Spikörundan is a walking trail near the centre of Trollhättan. Spikön is a green oasis between the Göta älv and the Trollhätte Canal. The 7.5 km Slussrundan is suitable for walking or jogging and leads from the centre to the locks and back. For a longer route, the 14 km Edsvidsleden winds through varied nature in nature reserves and along the Göta älv. The 10.5 km Trollhättan City Trail passes waterfalls, elevated areas, troll forests, and new and old locks. Stages 9 and 10 of the Pilgrimsleden Göta Älv also pass through Trollhättan. For cycling, Trailhättan offers several cycle paths and mountain bike trails.

Technology, art and industrial history

The Innovatum Science Center offers 4,200 m² of interactive stations, creative play areas and experiments. Its exhibitions cover sustainability, life science and space; their content may change. Innovatum’s image archive contains nearly 100,000 historical images from Trollhättan and the NOHAB company, and may continue to grow.

Konsthallen Trollhättan presents contemporary art by national, international and local artists every year. The programme includes free guided tours, exhibition openings, workshops, lectures and cultural events; dates vary. NOHAB:s Smedja, one of Sweden’s oldest hammer forges, is home to a working life museum. Guided tours and blacksmithing activities are part of the offer; the forge is open to visitors during the summer season. The Saab Car Museum presents the history of Saab from its beginnings to the present day, decade by decade.

Planning your stay

The Trollhätte Falls area has parking, wheelchair-accessible access, toilets and a nearby bus or boat stop. You will also find walking paths, viewpoints and a special playground there. The city train connects central visitor attractions and allows passengers to get on and off at various stops; service may vary by season. When choosing accommodation, your planned activities can help guide your decision—for example, locks and the history of technology, nature trails or art.

In summer, M/S Elfkungen offers canal cruises that include passing through locks. Departures are from the upper locks or the city quay in the centre; lunch, coffee and drinks are available on board. Check the current sailing schedule before your trip. Discover more destinations: Upphärad, Sjuntorp, Trollhättan, Gothenburg, Skövde, Stenungsund, Mellerud, Lerum.

For the regional travel overview: Västra Götaland.