52.5 km and 1070 m of elevation gain / 880 m of elevation loss
1/6
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Telemark Canal Route
4 days / 3 nights
|
Discover the perfect balance of adventure and heritage along Norway's iconic Telemark Canal, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and historic locks.
Starting point
Lunde
Finish point
Dalen
Fitness level
3/5
Season
From May to October
Discover the perfect balance of adventure and heritage along Norway's iconic Telemark Canal, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and historic locks.
Discover the perfect balance of adventure and heritage along Norway's iconic Telemark Canal, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and historic locks.
Starting point
Lunde
Finish point
Dalen
Fitness level
3/5
Season
From May to October
Highlights
- Cycle along the historic Telemark Canal, a marvel of 19th-century engineering
- Experience Norway’s cultural charm in quaint villages along the route
- Witness the intricate system of 18 locks, some still operated by hand today
- Enjoy a mix of paved paths and gravel trails suitable for all skill levels
- Pedal your way past incredible interconnected lakes
- Explore the serene town of Lunde, a gateway to the canal’s scenic beauty
Itinerary of the trip
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What’s included in the price?
Self-guided
3 nights in 3* hotels with breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your tour
NOT INCLUDED
Tourist tax
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
E-bike
Gravel bike
MTB
Road bike
Single supplement
Stretching 105 kilometers, the historic Telemark Canal, completed in 1892, connects Skien to Dalen and has long been celebrated as a masterpiece of engineering. Its intricate system of 18 locks was designed to navigate the region's rugged terrain, earning it the nickname “the eighth wonder of the world.”
Today, it provides the perfect backdrop for a scenic and culturally rich cycling adventure.
This carefully planned route allows cyclists to follow the canal as it weaves through serene forests, rolling hills, and traditional villages. Here, you will experience Norway’s natural beauty firsthand, from tranquil lakes reflecting the surrounding landscapes to the majestic cliffs and valleys that define the region.
Along the way, the locks – still operated by hand in some areas – are a highlight, showcasing the ingenuity and craftsmanship of a bygone era.
The cycling path is well-suited for riders of various skill levels, combining paved roads and gravel paths that run parallel to the canal.
To ensure a hassle-free experience, we take care of all the logistics. Accommodations are pre-arranged at comfortable, cyclist-friendly establishments and before your tour, you’ll receive a detailed itinerary full of recommendations and GPS routes, so you can fully focus on exploring the Telemark Canal route.
Our Bikes
To ensure the best possible experience on your cycling adventure, we offer top-quality bikes for rent. Our fleet features the latest models, meticulously maintained for both performance and comfort.
To ensure the perfect match, our team will assist you in selecting the best bike based on your physical profile, personal preferences, and the tour’s technical requirements.
Trekking Bikes
Best for: Multi-day touring, relaxed pace, and varied surfaces
These high-quality trekking bikes are built for comfort over multiple days. They feature a relaxed riding position, smooth-rolling wheels, and often come with practical additions like an adjustable stem, rear rack, or mudguards. They're not necessarily built for speed, but more for enjoying the ride.
Touring E-Bikes
Best for: Comfortable trekking, touring, longer distances, and hilly routes
These pedal-assist electric bikes are designed to make riding easier and more enjoyable—especially on longer or hillier routes. They come with powerful mid-drive motors, long-lasting batteries, and comfortable riding geometry for smooth support across varied terrain. With intuitive controls and quality components, they’re a great choice for riders who want extra assistance without giving up the feel of a real ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ratings & Reviews
+84
I found this place with a simple Google search, and I never could’ve expected the custom experience I received. They provided options to help my husband and I hone in on exactly what we wanted to do for our honeymoon. We had perfectly curated GPS-lead rides all across the country, they booked all of our hotels, and planned all of our transportation. Every place that we went was so beautiful. I’m so grateful that we found this company to help us plan our honeymoon, couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Show all 19 photos
I was able to tailor a bike tour itinerary along the Adriatic coast that suited our group during the shoulder season. We added individual pre and post-trip activities which went smoothly. Our trip included stops in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The trip planner, guide and support team were great.
I would highly recommend anyone doing this tour take the e-bike option. There were only 3 of us on our tour who completed this on regular bikes. Four others who started out on regular bikes swapped over to e-bikes after the first day. The climbs are long and steep. There is pretty much only up or down, not much flat or undulating road. It is doable, but very challenging. If you are on an e-bike then this also helps with the group staying together and no-one having to wait too long for others to catch up. The bikes were really good and had great gearing that was capable of handling the steeper climbs. When we booked we were unaware that we would be riding in a group of 20plus at all time. Thankfully our group had prior group riding experience but we did observe other large groups with less than desirable riding behaviours.Others in our group were extremely understanding and supportive. Our guide, David, was very adamant about staying safe on the road. He was flexible with the itinerary and made changes to suit the weather conditions and to ensure we got in as much riding as possible. He was vey knowledgeable about Croatian history and agriculture and taught us lots about the country he is so passionate about. Our captain, Tolma, was also amazing and along with his awesome crew, made our cruise an enjoyable experience.
Show all 3 photos
I was able to tailor a bike tour itinerary along the Adriatic coast that suited our group during the shoulder season. We added individual pre and post-trip activities which went smoothly. Our trip included stops in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. The trip planner, guide and support team were great.
I found this place with a simple Google search, and I never could’ve expected the custom experience I received. They provided options to help my husband and I hone in on exactly what we wanted to do for our honeymoon. We had perfectly curated GPS-lead rides all across the country, they booked all of our hotels, and planned all of our transportation. Every place that we went was so beautiful. I’m so grateful that we found this company to help us plan our honeymoon, couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Show all 19 photos
I would highly recommend anyone doing this tour take the e-bike option. There were only 3 of us on our tour who completed this on regular bikes. Four others who started out on regular bikes swapped over to e-bikes after the first day. The climbs are long and steep. There is pretty much only up or down, not much flat or undulating road. It is doable, but very challenging. If you are on an e-bike then this also helps with the group staying together and no-one having to wait too long for others to catch up. The bikes were really good and had great gearing that was capable of handling the steeper climbs. When we booked we were unaware that we would be riding in a group of 20plus at all time. Thankfully our group had prior group riding experience but we did observe other large groups with less than desirable riding behaviours.Others in our group were extremely understanding and supportive. Our guide, David, was very adamant about staying safe on the road. He was flexible with the itinerary and made changes to suit the weather conditions and to ensure we got in as much riding as possible. He was vey knowledgeable about Croatian history and agriculture and taught us lots about the country he is so passionate about. Our captain, Tolma, was also amazing and along with his awesome crew, made our cruise an enjoyable experience.
Show all 3 photos
All available guidance options
Self-guided
Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.
Hassle-Free
We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree holiday.
Completely Customizable
Flexibility is our middle name — whether you want more or less, or just beyond ordinary, we’ll make it happen.
Book with confidence
We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.
Unbeatable support
Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.
from 560 € /person
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