The Halden Canal
The Halden Canal, in the south east of Norway, is the older of Norway’s two canals. The canal was built in the period from 1852 to 1860, but in 1861 the locks in the southernmost section were destroyed by spring floods and were not rebuilt until 1877. The locks at Ørje and Strømsfoss date from 1860, while those at Brekke were completed in 1924. A memorial stone to the canal builder Engebret Soot stands at Ørje Locks.
Over the years a total of 25 steamboats have operated on the canal and six of these old steamboats are still in service. The newly restored DS Turisten has been back on the canal since June 2009. The Halden Canal has three lock systems and a total height difference of 39 m. The Halden Canal comprises five lakes, three lock systems, eight locks and is 80 km long – a sea route like virtually no other. It is peaceful and idyllic, yet there is plenty to see and experience at the same time.
At Ørje Locks you will find the Canal Museum, and Ørje is also home to “Slusefestivalen”, the lock festival, held at the end of June/start of July every year.
Haldenvassdragets Kanalselskap AS
Storgt. 6, Ørje
Postboks 140
1871 Ørje
Tel:
+47 69 81 12 00
Mobil:
+47 92 22 90 01
Fax:
+47 69 81 12 66
E-mail:
Website:
| Built in: | 1852-1860 |
| Length of the canal: | 80 km, 43.2 NM |
| Number of locks: | 8 |
| Difference in levels: | 39 m |
| Number of guest harbours: | 10 guest harbours of varying size |
| Maximum dimensions for boats: | Width 6 m; length 24 m; depth 1.6 m, height 5.6 m |
| Chart: | The boating map for the Halden Canal was updated in 2007 |
| Recommended number of days to pass through the canal: | 2-3 days |
