Vinschgau/Val Venosta

These narrow paths, which meander along the slowly flowing water through the cultivated landscape of the Vinschgau Valley, are particularly popular destinations for leisurely hikes. Their origins go back centuries: the farmers of the Vinschgau Valley built these irrigation channels to channel the precious water to their fields and orchards. Without the irrigation channels, the rural Vinschgau Valley, with its dry inner-Alpine climate and low rainfall, would often have experienced periods of drought. The administrators and guardians of these watercourses are still called Waaler in South Tyrol today. 

On the Malser Haide, the ancient Waale are still used today for irrigation. 400 hectares of extensive farming between Burgeis and Lake Haider are still traditionally supplied with water via four Waale irrigation channels. A traditional cultural technique that has been recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. 

By the time you enter the bakery and smell the spicy aroma of the "Vinschger Ur-Paarl"  , you will be in Vinschgau gourmet heaven. This oldest variant of the typical Vinschgau bread bears the Presidio  Slow Food seal, as do the Vinschgau apricot and the Pala pear from the Obervinschgau.  Another speciality of the Vinschgau is the  Schnalser transhumance sheep. This rare breed of sheep has also been recognised as a Slow Food Presidio.

One origin-protected speciality is Stilfser alpine cheese PDO, which you can try at the farmers' markets or directly from the farm . Special tip: the Vinschgau farm shop on the Juvaler Hügel, where you can buy selected products from local farmers first hand. Including, of course, everything to do with apples. As the  highest apple-growing region in Europe , the Vinschgau offers numerous refined apple products, from dried apples and apple juice to traditional apple strudel. June is harvest time for the popular  Marteller strawberries, which are particularly flavoursome due to the altitude. Viticulture also has a long tradition in the Vinschgau: the wine trail Via Vinum Venostis leads along old irrigation channels past vineyards and farms and combines enjoyment with history.  In the small wineries you can taste excellent  white wines .