South Tyrol’s Waalwege Canal Trails

The Mühlwaal along the Wasserfallweg and the Pröfingweg was renovated by the canal guards in 2011. It draws its water from the Zielbach stream, coming from the well-known Zieltal valley, and is used to irrigate the Rabland/Rablà orchards that spread along the east and south sides of the village. In winter, the historic Waal is used for fire fighting by the volunteer fire brigades.

A perfect family hike: Frauwaal trail gently winds its way up from Prad to Lichten-
berg, offering stunning views of Vinschgau valley and one of the largest castle 
grounds in the country.

Possibility of stopping for refreshments: In the taverns of Montechiaro and Prato
No water flow

At Kaandlwaal, which is still used for irrigation, hollow tree trunks (Kaandln) were joined together to channel water down from the mountains, and the Kaandlwaal trail winds up steeply right beside it.

The Monte Sole Panorama trail n° 91 (Sonnenberger Panoramaweg) connects Rabland/Rablà with the neighboring village of Naturns/Naturno, and offers hikers breathtaking views of the valley and the surrounding mountains and villages.

This easy, generally flat hike leads through the meadows and forests along the Maiser Waal irrigation channel and is especially popular with families who even enjoy walking the route on hot summer days. 

This picturesque hike along the Schenner Waal irrigation channel runs along an unspoilt trail through the chestnut grove and orchards high above the spa town of Merano, and is also thoroughly recommended for hot summer days.

Latschanderwaal Trail shows how vital water was for the farmes: parts of the channel are cut into rock. This longer but level trail leads from Latsch to Kastelbell.

Refreshment stop: 
Bar at the cableway station 
Restaurants at Laces and Castelbello

Water course: 
april-october

The Merano irrigation channels trails (Waalwege) represent a union of eleven trails around Meran/Merano in South Tyrol. Waalwege trails are narrow walking paths that run along historic water canals. These channels were once used to irrigate the fields and date back to the 13th century.

Vines, apple trees, pines, cypresses, firs and larches line these special Waalwege canal trails, which in South Tyrol can only be found around Meran and in the Vinschgau valley. Castles, palaces and chapels along the way offer insights into the culture of the region. Meanwhile, traditional inns invite you to take a break.

The circular tour on the Merano Canal Trails is approx. 80 km long, going round the entire Meran basin. Remaining at nearly the same elevation throughout, the circular tour runs along the Etschtal valley’s mountains. This makes the entire route and also the individual stages ideal for leisure hikers and families.

The Merano Canal Trail can be hiked all year round and connects eleven irrigation canals (Waalwege) with one another: the Algunder Waalweg, the Kuenser Waalweg, the Waalweg Riffian, the Maiser Waalweg, the Schenner Waalweg, the Brandiswaalweg in Lana, the Tschermser Waalweg, the Marlinger Waalweg, the Partschinser Waalweg, the Rablander Waalweg and the Wallburgweg in Naturns/Naturno.

• Stage: Töll/Tel - Kuens/Caines: 11 km
• Stage: Kuens/Caines - Saltaus/Saltusio: 7.6 km
• Stage: Saltaus/Saltusio - Naiftal valley: 11 km
• Stage: Naiftal valley - Burgstall/Postal - Lana: 13 km
• Stage: Lana - Töll/Tel: 13 km
• Stage: Töll/Tel - Rabland/Rablà: 6 km
• Stage: Rabland/Rablà - Naturns/Naturno: 9.6 km
• Stage: Naturns/Naturno - Töll/Tel: 11 km

Built: 1820
Refreshments: Ulfaser Alm mountain hut, Waalerhütte mountain hut
Due to altitude this hiking trail is not recommended until early summer.

A loop trail with plenty to enjoy: farmland, orchards, woods, rest areas and 
mysterious Waaler rock paintings paired with breathtaking views over the ruins of 
Obermontani and Untermontani castles.

Refreshment stop:
Landhotel Latscherhof
Bierkeller Latsch
Hotel Krone in Morter
Kostbar in Morter
Stroblhof in Morter

Water course:
Water runs partly underground

Pleasant circular hike from Dorf Tirol along the approx. 6 km-long Algunder Waalweg (irrigation channel path) and St. Peter. The route mainly passes alongside vineyards and offers fabulous views of the Etschtal Valley and Dorf Tirol.

The Stabner Waalweg trail is one of the most beautiful hikes at Sonnenberg mountain in Vinschgau valley. This family-friendly route pairs perfectly with a visit to Juval castle.

This easy hike along the Maiser Waal (or irrigation channel) winds pleasantly through mixed forest and orchards and is highly recommended on hot summer days thanks to its numerous shady sections.

This is one of the oldest irrigation canals (Waalweg) of Merano and environs!
It was built in the XV century by the Counts of Stachelburg and is, therefore, more than five hundred years old. The canal is lined by birch-tree groves and rich, varied vegetation and is still used to irrigate the Parcines orchards, meadows and fields. 
An ancient “Wohnstein”, a free-standing, curved rock in whose shadow ancient people lived, and a pre-historic “Schalenstein” – a stone with strange round-shaped indentations on it, dating back to the Copper Age, can be seen at the eastern end of the Waal path.
This particular walk is especially interesting for those interested in local history.

Enjoy the serenity and spectacular views on this sunny trail in Taufers im Münstertal near Italy’s border with Switzerland and explore castle ruins, Romanesque buildings, and sacrificial stones.

Water flow: from May
Refreshment stop: in the inns in Taufers im Münstertal

Atmospheric hike on the Schenner Waalweg trail. This shady route winds without any noteworthy climbs along the course of the old irrigation channel and offers an exciting hike with wonderful landscapes to enjoy. 

Pleasure Hiking in Marling/Marlengo with start at the railway station.

High up on the Sonnenberg/Monte Sole of Schlanders/Silandro, the "Neuwaal" begins. It is one of the highest irrigation channels in the Venosta Valley region. The path, sometimes narrow and with wooden footbridges, leads through meadows and larch slopes into the quiet Schlandraun Valley. The Waalweg requires a certain surefootedness.

This path between the water irrigation channels, so called Waalwege, embraces the valley basin of Merano and allows hikers to experience the area on a 80 km walking path.

The road joins eleven separate paths allowing the discovery of huts along the channels and even castles, churches and natural wonders. The path between the Merano channels isn't at high altitude, but cut into the valley between 400 and 900 meters in height.

Hikers can walk the entire trail in eight stages over one week, or alternatively experience one leg as a day tour. The path between the Merano irrigation channels supplements the beloved Merano High Mountain Trail.

"The channels" are artificially created canals for irrigation originating from the thirteenth century. A narrow bridge was built to maintain and care for each channel. In the past, the farmers dedided to build the channels using rudimentary tools to regulate the distribution of water, a very clever idea. Today, the paths along these water irrigation channels have become popular hiking trails and walks, suitable at any time of the year.

Schlanderser Sonnenpromenade, the sun trail, lives up to its name, winding along Sonnenberg mountain, home to Mediterranean plants and chestnut trees, and through orchards down in the valley.

Refreshment stop: In the inns in Schlanders
Water flow: May-October

Discover old ruins, chimes, and picnic areas at Raminiwaal Trail in the Untervinschgau region. This pleasant, almost level trail connecting Tarsch and Morter is nicely shaded and offers plenty to explore.

Refreshment stop:
Knofelkeller in Tarres
Zum Riesen in Tarres
Restaurants in Laces

Water course:
May-October

Idyllic irrigation channel path to the cultural treasures, with a unique panorama.

Waalwege are paths along the ancient irrigation channels. From the car park of the Hirzer cable car in Saltaus/Saltusio, head down to the Passerdammweg trail until reaching the Apfelhotel Torgglerhof hotel. From here, the canal trail leads into the centre of Scena/Schenna or after the Waalerhütte hut to Riffian/Rifiano and Meran/Merano.
After a comfortable hike of approx. 1.5 hours, you reach the small city centre of Merano, where you can, for example, take the bus back to Saltusio.

Schnalswaal irrigation channel has been in use for more than 500 years and offers plenty to see: a Waalerhütte hut, a functional Waalschelle bell, chestnut woods, steppic vegetation, and, of course, Juval castle.

A very special and various tour between Tarres and Morter. The tour starts at Tarres.

The Algund irrigation channel pathway, or Waalweg, is a 10 km long path running alongside the old irrigation channel. Flat and even almost all the way, the trail boasts incredible views over the Meran/o area and leads you through Plars, Algund/Lagundo village and Gratsch/Quarazze until you get to the Saint Magdalena Chapel and then along the Tappeiner path to Meran/o city.

An enjoyable hike and a spectacular Waal now put back in use: Soywaal trail
begins at the Soybach stream at an altitude of 1,950 metres and ascends steeply
through inaccessible terrain to Reitgraben.

Refreshment stop:
June–September

Water flow:
In the inns in Martelltal valley

10.5 km long, comfortable walk at 450 m altitude, above the villages of Lana, Tscherms and Marling.

Those who are not yet tired of the hike can take the Algunder Waalweg (end Marlinger Waalweg, across the road, cross the small bridge in the direction of Lagundo) and then the Tappeinerweg (to Merano center) in the hike.

A relaxing hike along Val Venosta’s traditional irrigation channel paths.

Waalwege are paths along the ancient irrigation channels. Ascend to the canal trail via the Kirchweg or Rösslweg streets. After approx. 300 m the Rösslweg branches to the left from the Kirchweg and rises gently to the shooting range where the Riffianer Waalweg trail begins. It runs between forest edge and meadows as far as Kuens/Caines and ends in the Kuensertal valley. Return either via the Kuenserstraße street, the Valtmaunweg trail or via the Hohlgasse street. If you wish, you can drive to the starting point in the Kuensertal valley by car, park there and then hike as far as Rifiano/Riffian (approx. 45 min).

The path is not suitable for pushchairs or strollers.