From Skien to Norsjø

Skien lock is the lowermost lock in the Telemark Canal and connects the canal to the ocean. The lock was finished in 1861 and was park of the Norsjø-Skien Canal, at that time the lock was powered by manually by hand. Hydraulics are now being used to open and close the gateways.

Skien
Skien is Telemark’s administration centre with approx. 55  000 habitants. Located close to the pier is the city’s businesses and restaurants. 
The city has two ‘water mirrors’, Bryggevannet and Hjellevannet, and it is possible to leave your boat both below and above the lock. The guest harbour in Langbrygga has 35 guests’ spaces. By Langbrygga there is a strong stream, so its recommended to go through the Skien lock to Hjellebrygga pier, which consist of 15 spaces in a quiet water. The canal boats have departure from Hjellebrygga pier every morning during the season May to September.
Some attractions in Skien:
-    Skien activity park with both a tropical aqua land and a climbing park
-    Henrik Ibsen Museum located in Ibsens childhood home at the farm Venstøp
-    Brekkeparken is a recreation museum with a country house and farm houses from Telemark
More tourist information on Visit Grenland

Skien lock
Skien Lock starts at Telemark Canal. On the trip Skien – Notodden you’ll meet 2 locks, the Skien lock and Løveid lock. The trip from Norsjø towards Dalen consists of 6 locks, river stretches and the three waters Flåvatn, Kviteseidvatn and Bandak. If you’re experienced with locks or is your first time, the staff will accept you and your boat and make sure everything is ok. Map over the whole canal, is sold by the locks in Skien, Ulefoss and Hogga.
 

Hjellebrygga
The canal boats M/S Victoria and M/S Henrik Ibsen departs from Hjellebrygga every morning during the tourist season. The pier has been central within the canal traffic since early 1900. When Norsjø-Skien canal was new in 1861 was the pier used by the canal boats at Smieøya island, on the other side of the water. The tourist information is open at Hjellebrygga during the summer season. Restaurants and bars are located right by the pier.

Elstrøm Bridge 
The Elstrøm Bridge is 16 meters. Right after the Elstrøm, starboard right, is Kjempa located. It is a village castle in the form of a steep slope. Kjempa or Kjempeåsen hill is from the migration period (approx. 400 – 600 AD) and was a part of the defence system. Further up in the river its important for the boats to stay right towards Løveid locks. This is clearly marked.

Flood screen and sailing marks 
Right after the flood screen in Meierelva the canal splits in two. The east canal travel towards the locks, and the direction is clearly market. The flood screen is built to shield the boat traffic from the strong current in the river when it is flood – usually in the spring and autumn time.IThere are red and white stakes in the water. The boats are supposed to drive with the white stakes at the right side of the boats and the red stakes on the left side.

Løveid locks
Løveid locks is the second lock facilities in the oldest part of the Telemark Canal – Norsjø – Skien Canal. By the pier in the lower part of the lock is a grocery store located close by in Skotfoss. Further there is a guest harbour on the other side of the higher part of the lock.

Norsjø
After Løveid you’ll find Norsjø in front of you. There is a huge lake with many idyllic and perfect bathing opportunities. A grocery store is located in Fjærekilen with a pier. You’ll also find grocery stores in Ulefoss and Akkerhaugen. In Ulefoss guest harbour and Norsjø holiday park you can fill gas.

Norsjø-Notodden
From Løveid lock the trip goes further towards Norsjø, there is a huge lake with many idyllic and perfect bathing opportunities. In Ulefoss the canal stretch to Dalen begins, while the trip to Notodden goes through Akkerhaugen at the top of Norsjø and up Sauarelva river, over the Bråfjorden and Heddalsvannet finally at Notodden.