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Activities

South Tyrol’s Waalwege Canal Trails

Canals known as "Waale" were built centuries ago to irrigate meadows and fields. When rainfall was scarce, water was diverted from streams into the higher valleys. This ancient irrigation technique is predominantely seen in the area around Meran/Merano and Vinschgau/Val Venosta. See it for yourself during a tranquil stroll along the Canal Trails. Interestingly, the Waalwege canal trails located on the Malser Haide in Obervinschgau are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Results
Summer
Round trip along the ancient "Waalweg" (irrigation channel) of Rabland
Partschins/Parcines, Meran/Merano and environs

In Meran and surroundings you can promenade along the ancient water canals, the so-called "Waalwege". The Waalweg in Rabland/Rablà is a tranquil circular hiking trail, perfect for a pleasant walk the whole year round for the whole family!

Difficulty: easy
84 m elevation gain
0h:55 min duration
Summer
Circular hike on the "Schenner Waalweg" trail
Schenna/Scena, Meran/Merano and environs

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. 

Difficulty: easy
325 m elevation gain
2h:30 min duration
Summer
"Kastanienwaal" irrigation channel path
Schlanders/Silandro, Vinschgau/Val Venosta
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
Difficulty: easy
70 m elevation gain
0h:31 min duration
Summer
"Bergwaal" irrigation channel path
Glurns/Glorenza, Vinschgau/Val Venosta

The challenging Bergwaal trail with an ascent of almost 650 metres offers panoramic views of the medieval town of Glurns and plenty of information on forest and pastures on panels along the trail.

Water flow: from May
Refreshment stop: in the inns in Glurns

Difficulty: medium
650 m elevation gain
4h:30 min duration
Summer
"Kaandlwaal" irrigation channel path
Martell/Martello, Vinschgau/Val Venosta
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.
Difficulty: easy
239 m elevation gain
1h:30 min duration
Summer
From Algund/Tell along the Marling Waalweg canal trail
Algund/Lagundo, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
252 m elevation gain
2h:58 min duration
Summer
Easy Hike on Marling Waalweg Trail
Lana, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
287 m elevation gain
2h:00 min duration
Summer
Round trip along the ancient "Waalweg" (irrigation channel) of Partschins/Parcines
Partschins/Parcines, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
203 m elevation gain
1h:23 min duration
Summer
Irrigation channel di Marlengo from Lana
Tscherms/Cermes, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
150 m elevation gain
3h:30 min duration
Summer
Kuenser Waalweg Hike from Dorf Tirol / Tirolo
Tirol/Tirolo, Meran/Merano and environs

This easy, family-friendly hike takes you past orchards through the mixed woodland above Dorf Tirol and Kuens along the Kuenser Waalweg, or irrigation channel path, as far as the Longfall Inn.

Difficulty: medium
492 m elevation gain
2h:22 min duration
Summer
Marling Waalweg Trail to Töll
Marling/Marlengo, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
485 m elevation gain
2h:00 min duration
Summer
Algund Waalweg canal trail
Algund/Lagundo, Meran/Merano and environs

Waalwege are paths along the ancient irrigation channels. The Algunder Waalweg Trail is split into two parts with a lenght of 5 to 6 km. The hike leads along an historical irrigation canal. The canal trail is almost flat. It is therefore ideal for older people or families with children. Hikers, young and old, will be rewarded with fantastic views of Lagundo/Algund as well as the entirety of Merano/Meran and the surrounding area.

Difficulty: easy
29 m elevation gain
1h:08 min duration
Summer
Marling Waalweg, the longest of all the irrigation channel trails
Lana, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
458 m elevation gain
3h:12 min duration
Summer
Irrigation channel path "Frauwaal"
Prad am Stilfser Joch/Prato allo Stelvio, Vinschgau/Val Venosta

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

Difficulty: easy
234 m elevation gain
2h:30 min duration
Summer
The Marlengo/Marling irrigation channel path
Marling/Marlengo, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
162 m elevation gain
1h:45 min duration
Summer
"Neuwaal" irrigation channel path
Schlanders/Silandro, Vinschgau/Val Venosta
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
Difficulty: medium
370 m elevation gain
4h:10 min duration
Summer
Circular Hike on the "Maiser Waalweg" trail
St.Martin in Passeier/San Martino in Passiria, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
260 m elevation gain
1h:40 min duration
Winter Hiking
Round trip along the ancient "Waalweg" (irrigation channel) of Partschins/Parcines
Partschins/Parcines, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
223 m elevation gain
2h:00 min duration
Summer
Pleasure Hiking in Marling
Marling/Marlengo, Meran/Merano and environs

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

Difficulty: medium
878 m elevation gain
4h:30 min duration
Summer
"Ackerwaal" irrigation channel path
Mals/Malles, Vinschgau/Val Venosta

Explore Matsch, the mountaineering village with its spectacular view of the grand Ortler and the Matsch mountains. Traversing the valley, Ackerwaal takes you high above fields and blooming meadows.

Water flow: from May 
Refreshment stop: In the inns in the village of Matsch and in the Glieshof restaurant 

Difficulty: easy
300 m elevation gain
2h:30 min duration
Summer
Easy Hike on Marling Waalweg Trail
Marling/Marlengo, Meran/Merano and environs

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


Difficulty: easy
220 m elevation gain
2h:00 min duration
Summer
Neuwaal irrigation channel path
Latsch/Laces, Vinschgau/Val Venosta
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.
Difficulty: easy
177 m elevation gain
1h:26 min duration
Summer
„Agumser Bergwaal“ irrigation channel path
Prad am Stilfser Joch/Prato allo Stelvio, Vinschgau/Val Venosta

Agumser Bergwaal is a trail for sun lovers taking you through forests, meadows, 
hamlets, and past a barbecue site with a panoramic swing set before reaching the 
hamlet of Stilfserbrücke.

No water flow
Possibility of stopping for refreshments: In the inns in Stilfs and Prad

Difficulty: medium
373 m elevation gain
2h:00 min duration
Summer
The Brandis-Waalweg Trail in Lana
Lana, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
30 m elevation gain
0h:49 min duration
Summer
The Marlenger Waalweg irrigation path beginning from Töll
Partschins/Parcines, Meran/Merano and environs

The Marlinger Waalweg is one of the most beautiful irrigation channels in the Meran region. With a length of 12 km, it is the longest irrigation channel path in South Tyrol. It starts in Töll/Tel (municipality of Partschins) and leads through the villages of Forst (municipality of Algund), Marling, Tscherms and Lana. The trail runs almost level along the irrigation channel and is ideal for families and children. Between chestnut groves and extensive orchards, the magnificent views of the Meran basin are inspiring. The ideal hiking time for this irrigation canal trail is spring (when the trees are in blossom) and autumn.

Difficulty: easy
252 m elevation gain
2h:58 min duration
Summer
Mühlwaal Hiking Circuit along an Age-old Waterway
Partschins/Parcines, Meran/Merano and environs

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.

Difficulty: easy
128 m elevation gain
1h:22 min duration
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    The path along the water was originally reserved for the "Waaler" (water keeper), who was responsible for the maintenance of the Waal and controlled that each farmer only took the amount of water he was entitled to from the Waal for a certain time. Today, the flat paths along the water are popular walking trails. Through forests, past apple orchards or vineyards, you can experience South Tyrol's cultural landscape up close on the Waal paths. In 2022, the traditional irrigation system of the Malser Haide was awarded the "Green Flag". This important award is given every year by the Italian environmental association "Legambiente" for innovative practices and systems that stand for high ecological, scenic and cultural quality.