Uddevalla-Trollhättan

With more than 50,000 residents, Uddevalla, located about 85 kilometres north of Gothenburg , is the largest town in the former province of Bohuslän on Sweden’s west coast. Uddevalla, Trollhättan and Vänersborg often refer to themselves as “Trestaden” (the Three Towns), sometimes including Lysekil as well, in which case they are called “Fyrstaden” (the Four Towns).
Uddevalla remains an important industrial town. A hundred years ago, it was home to the textile industry; later, industries producing canned goods, safety matches, metal goods and cars were added. On the outskirts of Uddevalla, in Gustavsberg, is Sweden’s oldest seaside resort, with traditions dating back to the late 18th century. Uddevalla harbour is the starting point for boat trips through the archipelago. Several museums are popular destinations for the many visitors to Uddevalla: the Defence Museum, the Shellbank Museum and the Bohuslän Museum.
The town of Trollhättan lies 25 kilometres east of Uddevalla. Just a few kilometres south of Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake, the 32-metre-high waterfalls of the Göta River formed an obstacle to shipping until 1800. Since then, a flight of locks has made it possible for vessels to travel across Sweden from Stockholm via the Göta Canal and the Göta River, Sweden’s largest river by water volume, all the way to Gothenburg. The lock passage has since been rebuilt, and watching a large ship pass through is a sight to behold. Trollhättan’s main attraction, however, is the annual “Waterfall Days”. Usually held in June, the falls are allowed to flow again up to seven times, in an impressive spectacle as the water returns to its former course.
Vänersborg lies 20 kilometres north of Trollhättan, directly on the shore of Lake Vänern. Beside the lake, the two mountain massifs Halleberg and Hunneberg, with their steep slopes, form a “reserve” for moose. Visitors have a good chance of spotting them on a private or guided moose safari. Together, the three towns of Uddevalla, Trollhättan and Vänersborg and their surrounding areas make a popular holiday destination on Sweden’s west coast.