South Tyrol’s Waalwege Canal Trails

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!

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. 

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

A somewhat longer but rewarding circular hike along the Mitterwaal in Glurns / Glorenza.

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.

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

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.

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

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 

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.