South Tyrol’s Waalwege Canal Trails

The zigzag shaped Latschander irrigation channel path in between Laces and Castelbello was created in 1872/1873 and provides an ideal walk for the whole family. Those who wish to stroll along the entire irrigation channel trail should allow approximately 2.5 hours to do so.

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

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

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. 

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

Easy Hike on Marling Waalweg Trail with start in the centre of Marling/Marlengo.

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.

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.

Twelve kilometers long, the Marlinger Waalweg trail is a popular hiking trail which runs along the former irrigation channels, the longest of its kind in South Tyrol. Starting at the Töllbrücke bridge, the 250 year-old path gently ascends through apple orchards and woods to firmer and more level ground. After pausing to admire the medieval Lebenberg Castle, hikers continue slightly downhill along the slope of Marling mountain to the village of Lana.

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

The leisurely walk along the irrigation channel crosses the foothills of the Ortler Alps on its panoramic path between Oberlana and Niederlana.

From the first days of spring until late autumn, the Waalwege, as the paths along the old irrigation channels are called, offer magnificent views of the mountains and the Adige Valley, but also exciting insights into a varied cultural landscape. The ancient irrigation channels are one of the most atmospheric walks in South Tyrol. They gently run through vineyards, apple meadows and chestnut groves along the low mountain ranges.

The narrow paths were originally created for purely practical reasons. The irrigation channels, called "Waale", were built in the pre-industrial age to irrigate fields and meadows thoroughly. For kilometres the water was led through small canals. The Waalweg along the canals, on the other hand, was used by the Waalermeister for maintenance.

From Lana, two irrigation channels in Merano and the surrounding area are easily accessible: The Brandis-Waalweg and the Marlinger Waalweg.

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 Waalweg trail -Hiking along the irrigation channel
Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains can be seen along the entire length of the Marlinger Waalweg trail. The agricultural landscape lining the irrigation channels is also impressive, with meadows and forests alternating with vineyards and orchards. Along the Marlinger Waalweg trail there are also impressive views of the Merano basin, the Val Passiria/Passeier Valley, and the imposing Texelgruppe mountain range.

The woodland nature trail was designed in line with scientific principles and, using a variety of different interactive exhibits, communicates a lot of interesting facts about nature, the forest and water.

 

12 kilometers long, the Marlinger Waalweg trail is a popular hiking trail which runs along the former irrigation channels, the longest of its kind in South Tyrol.

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.

Twelve kilometers long, the Marlinger Waalweg trail is a popular hiking trail which runs along the former irrigation channels, the longest of its kind in South Tyrol. Starting at the Töllbrücke bridge, the 250 year-old path gently ascends through apple orchards and woods to firmer and more level ground. After pausing to admire the medieval Lebenberg Castle, hikers continue slightly downhill along the slope of Marling mountain to the village of Lana.

Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains can be seen along the entire length of the Marlinger Waalweg trail. The agricultural landscape lining the irrigation channels is also impressive, with meadows and forests alternating with vineyards and orchards. Along the Marlinger Waalweg trail there are also impressive views of the Merano basin, the Val Passiria/Passeier Valley, and the imposing Texelgruppe mountain range.

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. 

12 kilometers long, the Marlinger Waalweg trail is a popular hiking trail which runs along the former irrigation channels, the longest of its kind in South Tyrol.

On Neuwaal, a high-altitude irrigation channel, narrow paths and wooden footbridges take you through larch woods to the serene Schlandraun valley. Sure-footedness and a head for heights required.

Refreshment stop: Schlanderser Alm hut and Kortscher alm hut (in the summer month)
Water flow: May-October

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

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.

The new theme path provides an insight into viniculture and wine history and spans an arc between agriculture and gastronomy. Different information panels describe local grape varieties, landscape and culinary specialties. The Val Venosta wine path is perfectly walkable from Easter to November and takes you along the irrigation channel paths (Latschander irrigation channel path and Senales irrigation channel path) over long distances. This hike of about 2.5 hours can be made in both directions and it is also possible to choose specific sections only.

Circular Hike on the Marling Waalweg and Höhenweg Trails with start at the Hotel Restaurant Waldschenke.

A hike filled with cultural treasures and Vinschgau history: explore the Vuseum, the Ganglegg archaeological site, and the proud Churburg castle on this loop trail following the Leitenwaal and Berkwaal trails.

Water flow: from April
Refreshment stop: in the inns in Schluderns

Sonnensteig trail - the theme trail in Upper Vinschgau Valley

There are some interesting points of exploration along this themed route such as the Benedictine abbey, the paths along the irrigation canals (known locally as ‘Waale’) as well as the natural landscape and some of the legends of the Alta Vinschgau Valley. And if you prefer, you can select just specific sections of the themed trail of interest to you. 

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

The Castle path - An experience for the family on the Monte Sole at Castelbello

In the footsteps of the ancient rock paintings of the Waaler.
We start at the IceForum in Laces and follow trail no. 5 to the Margrinböden picnic area. There we enjoy the view over the castle ruins of Ober- & Untermontani. We then continue to the fork in the path where we follow path number 5a downhill to the Bierkeller. From there, the route leads through the orchards along the tarmac road back to the starting point. Variation: if you prefer a longer walk, you can descend from the Marginböden via the ruins of Ober- & Untermontani Castle and walk back along the irrigation channel path Mareinwaal via the Bierkeller.