Kanhavekanalen

Kanhavekanalen is an ancient waterway on Samsø island that connects two bays and stretches about 500 meters long with a width of 11 meters. The canal walls were reinforced with oak planks secured by wooden stakes driven into the ground.

The canal was built around 726 during the Viking Age. This period marked a time when Scandinavian communities were developing maritime technology and needed waterways to move boats efficiently.

The canal shows how people on Samsø solved a practical problem through engineering during the Viking Age. It allowed boats to cross the island directly, saving time and effort compared to sailing around it.

The canal can be explored by walking along public paths that run beside it, with parking areas nearby for easy access. The site is open year-round and the paths are generally walkable in most seasons.

The precise date of 726 was determined by studying the rings in the oak wood used to build the canal. This makes it one of the oldest structures in Denmark that can be dated with such accuracy.

Location: Samsø Municipality

Inception: 8 century

Length: 500 m

Width: 11 m

GPS coordinates: 55.90734,10.60663

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00