YachtXP Presents
TotXP: Norway
A week on Norway’s Telemark Canal in quiet, electric Greenlines (33' and 39'). We set out from Porsgrunn aiming to reach as far up the canal as daylight, locks, and battery management would allow—learning the rhythm of lock schedules, savoring small towns, and finding great coffee along the way.
Day 1 — Porsgrunn ➜ Ulefoss (Night 1)
A late departure still got us through Skien and into Løveid Sluse.
Løveid is the 'newer,' fully mechanized, lumber-era lock—significantly faster than the hand-cranked ones up-canal (no 16–18-year-old Norwegian on a winch here!).
We pushed to make one more lock but got split when it closed—part of the group below Løveid, the rest above.
First lessons in electric boating: range planning matters and batteries drain faster when you hustle.
Day 2 — Ulefoss ➜ Lunde (Night 2)
We worked our way to the mighty Vrangfoss Locks—a dramatic, multi-chamber staircase and the largest/most complex on the route.
It took a good chunk of the day, with careful line handling and lots of gawking at 19th-century engineering.
We finished in quiet, easy-to-moor Lunde.
Day 3 — Lunde lay day (Night 3)
A bonus night in Lunde let everyone pick their pace.
Some visited an alpaca farm, others lounged on the docks or went to anchor for a swim-and-read day.
Slow travel at its best.
Day 4 — Down-canal ➜ First Camp Telemark (Night 4)
Heading downstream is quicker, and lock timing gets kinder.
We tied up at First Camp Telemark—great for kids with plenty to do—and walked to a nearby distillery for standout cider.
Day 5 — First Camp ➜ Langesund (Night 5)
We reached the picturesque seaside town of Langesund, explored Tangen Fort and local recreation spots, and jumped in for swims.
A music festival provided the evening soundtrack for part of the crew.
Day 6 — Langesund ➜ Bjørkøya ➜ Brevik ➜ Bjørkøya (Night 6)
A ripping current made the Bjørkøya marina entrance spicy, but we slid in cleanly.
An excellent dinner capped the stop.
A side run to Brevik earned us what we now call Norway’s best coffee shop.
Day 7 — Bjørkøya ➜ Skien ➜ Porsgrunn (Night 7)
A leisurely final leg through familiar waters back to Porsgrunn.
Faster on the return, smarter on charge management, and fully converted to the slow joy of canal travel.