The city of Trollhättan developed along the Göta älv near the mighty Trollhätte Falls. The river shapes the landscape, and the Trollhätte Canal Park follows the water from Vårvik past Trollhättan City Park, Spikön and Strandgatan, through the Trollhätte Falls and Älvrummet to the Slussområdet. Along the way, riverbanks, green spaces, waterfalls and locks sit side by side. Here, you can discover nature and technological history as two recurring sides of Trollhättan.
Along the Göta älv: landscape and birdlife
The Älvrummet nature reserve protects valuable landslide slopes and forest habitats along the Göta älv, and is used for outdoor recreation and nature studies. Winding paths lead through green spaces, over the hill and along the riverbank; check trail conditions before setting out. Kopparklinten offers a viewpoint overlooking Trollhättan and the Göta älv. At Slättbergen, you can see a rare, flat area of ancient bedrock that formed more than 600 million years ago. More than 260 bird species have been recorded at Hullsjön. The river landscape, ancient rock formations and birdlife each offer a different focus.
Locks and industrial history
The old lock systems from 1800, 1844 and 1916 have been preserved as an open-air museum and can be explored on foot. The 1916 locks are still used by recreational boats and commercial shipping. The Kanalmuseet presents the history of the Trollhätte Canal through boat models, 18th-century guest books and handmade tools. Toilets and staff are available on site.
NOHAB:s Smedja also tells the story of the region’s industrial history. It operates as a working-life museum and is one of Sweden’s oldest forge workshops. It is open to visitors during the summer season, with guided tours and blacksmithing activities on offer. Innovatum’s image archive provides another perspective on the company’s history: it contains nearly 100,000 historical images from Trollhättan and the NOHAB company, and the collection may continue to grow.
Museums and art
The Innovatum Science Center offers 4,200 m² of interactive stations, creative play areas and experiments. Its exhibitions cover sustainability, life science and space; the exhibition programme may change. The Saab Car Museum presents the history of Saab from its beginnings to the present, decade by decade.
Each year, Konsthallen Trollhättan presents contemporary art by national, international and local artists. Free guided tours, exhibition openings, workshops, talks and cultural events are part of the programme. Dates for individual exhibitions and events may change.
Routes with different profiles
The 2.5 km Spikörundan is a walking route near the centre to Spikön, 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. This longer route therefore offers a different focus from the walk to Spikön. For longer routes, Edsvidsleden runs for 14 km through varied nature in nature reserves and along the Göta älv. The 10.5 km Trollhättan City Trail passes waterfalls, high ground, troll forests, and new and old locks. Stages 9 and 10 of Pilgrimsleden Göta Älv also pass through Trollhättan. For cycling, Traillähtan offers several cycling routes and mountain bike trails.
Trips and getting around locally
When the gates are open, 300,000 litres of water per second can flow through the spillway of the Trollhätte Falls. In summer, the M/S Elfkungen offers canal trips that pass through locks. Departures are from the upper locks or Stadskajen in the centre; lunch, coffee and drinks are available on board. Check current operating hours and the tour programme before your trip.
The Trollhätte Falls area has walking paths, viewpoints and a special playground. You will also find parking, wheelchair-accessible access, toilets, and a nearby bus or boat stop. The city train connects central visitor attractions, and you can get on and off at various stops. Its seasonal operating hours may vary.
Discover more destinations: Upphärad, Sjuntorp, Trollhättan, Dals Rostock, Ulricehamn, Tidaholm, Götene, Åmål.
For the overarching travel overview: Västra Götaland.
