Telemark Canal - fantastic nature and monumental stone work.

The recordings for this film were made during an electric bike ride between Strengen Pier and Eidsfoss Locks in the Telemark Canal in South Norway. One of the most interesting and fascinating bike rides I have ever been on.
When the Telemark Canal from Skien to Dalen was opened in 1892 and mentioned in travel guides throughout Europe, it almost immediately gained the name "the eighth wonder of the world."
This waterway is a whopping 105 kilometers long and consists of 8 locks with a total of 18 lock chambers. The difference in elevation between Skien and Dalen at the innermost part of Lake Bandak is 72 meters. The canal boats M/S "Henrik Ibsen," M/S "Victoria," and M/S "Telemarken" each spend over 4 hours navigating the lock chambers in both directions. In addition to that, there's the boat ride itself. When you start a little after eight in the morning from Skien, you arrive in Dalen a little past half-past five in the evening.
Along the way, you not only experience stunning nature but also gain insight into the exceptional engineering that went into building the locks. You come to understand the skilled professionals, the stonemasons, and the hard work required to create this masterpiece. The work on the canal began in 1854, and the canal boats, which had steam engines at the time, were able to reach Dalen and Dalen Hotel for the first time in 1892.
The Telemark Canal was built for both cargo and passenger traffic, as well as timber floating. After the canal was put into use, timber logs could be bundled together and efficiently floated down to the buyers in Skien.
Today, the Telemark Canal and the canal boats, which were converted to diesel engines many years ago, are a unique tourist attraction both nationally and internationally.
In the Telemark Canal, you pass through, among others, Skien Lock (5 meters), Løveid Locks (10.3 meters), Ulefoss Locks (10.7 meters), Eidsfoss Locks (10 meters), Vrangfoss Locks (23 meters), Lunde Lock (3 meters), Kjeldal Lock (3 meters), and Hogga Locks (7 meters).