Locks along the Kinda Canal

Every lock gate along the Kinda kanal is unique and worth a visit. In total there are 15 hand-operated locks in nine lock areas that you can visit, which you can also get to by public transport. Pick your favourite or visit them all!

The knowledge that the locks have been transporting people for almost 150 years and still operate in almost exactly the same way today enhances the overall experience. In total, there are 15 manually operated locks in nine lock areas that you can visit, and you can conveniently reach them using public transportation. Discover your favorite below or visit them all! As mentioned, each lock is unique and has its own history.

For those interested in recreational boating on the Kinda Canal, information about opening hours and lock fees can be found at this link.

Nykvarns Locks

Nykvarn Lock is the first or last lock on the Kinda kanal depending on direction, with a level difference of 2.8 meters. It is also the connection between Lake Roxen/Göta Canal and Stångån/Kinda kanal.

Get here by public transport

All of Linköping municipal busses pass the Linköping Travel Centre. From here it is walking distance downstream Kinda Canal/Stångån to Nykvarn Lock.

Tannefors locks

Tannefors Locks comprises three lock basins and lifts 10.5 meters. In Tannefors there is a guest harbour and café. Between the river Stångån and the canal lies the island called little Hawaii. Tannefors falls was earlier used for industrial purposes. Around 1865 there were 29 mills. In those days Tannefors lay outside Linköping, “in the country”. After the completion of the canal, Linköping’s first waterworks was built here.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can take bus number 14,15 or 24 getting off at Rinkbrinksgatan bus stop, which is the closest.

Hackefors lock

Hackefors Lock has a height difference of 6.8 meters. It was completed in 1869 and was at that time the world’s deepest single lock. Today it is the deepest Nordic wooden lock. The falls at Hackefors were supplying power to the flour mills as early as the 1200s.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can either take the number 14 bus, getting off at Aspeliden bus stop or take number 16 to Ljunghagsvägen bus stop. The bus journey takes around 17-23 minutes. Then walk the last bit down to the canal.

Hjulsbro lock

Hjulsbro Lock has a level difference of only 0.2 meters. This small difference means that the lock often stands open during the summer months.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel centre you can either take the number 14 bus and get off at Vårdbergsvägen bus stop or take the 16 getting off at Vårdbergsvägen or Hjulsbro school bus stops. The bus journey takes around 20-26 minutes.  Then walk the last bit down to the canal.

Slattefors lock

Slattefors Lock lies alongside the river Stångån before the canal runs out into Lake Ärlången. The lock has a height difference of 3.2 meters. The last swing bridge stood in Slattefors until the 1980s.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can either take the number 14 or 16 bus getting off at Vårdbergsvägen bus stop. The bus journey takes around 20-26 minutes. Then there is a walk of about 3 km which takes around 30 minutes.

Sturefors lock

Sturefors Lock with its 3.2 meters’ height difference lies where the river Stångån and the Kinda kanal run out into Lake Ärlången. Just a short walk from the lock you will find Sturefors Castle originating from the 1300s. You can only see the castle from the outside, but it is worth a visit for the fine English Park created during the 1700s with a magnificent mirror pond, and the nature reserve which lies in the grounds of the old castle. Sturefors nature reserve is characterised by open pastures, fields of oak and deciduous forests in a cultivated landscape of ancient heritage.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can take bus number 565 and get off at the Sturefors Vist skola bus stop. The bus journey takes around 30 minutes. Then there is a walk of about 3 km left taking around 30 minutes.

Hamra locks

Here you are met by 2 locks with a height difference of 8.9 meters.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can take the number 566 bus and get off at the Östanskog bus stop, which is the closest. The bus journey takes around 23-28 minutes. Then walk the last bit down to the canal.

Hovetorp locks

Hovetorp Locks are beautifully situated in oak landscape and have a total level difference of 15.8 meters divided into 4 basins. The lowest lock is a triple lock while the uppermost is a single, and between them lies a little pool. In Hovetorp guest harbour directly south of the locks, is a trailer ramp and also several stands for mobile homes.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can take the number 566 bus and get off at the Hovetorp bus stop, which is the closest. The bus journey takes around 25-30 minutes. Then walk the last bit down to the canal.

Brokind lock

The first or last lock in the canal depending on direction. A single lock with a level difference of about 1.6 meters. The lock is wonderfully set with Brokind’s farm right next to it, between the Lakes Järnlunden and Lilla Rängen.

Get here by public transport

Starting from Linköping Travel Centre you can take the number 39 bus and get off at Brokind Gård Farm bus stop, which is the closest. The bus journey takes around 34 minutes. Then walk the last bit down to the canal.

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