"Waale" are ancient irrigation channels, formerly used to water the alpine meadows and the fruit orchards, with paths running alongside them to provide access for maintenance purposes. Nowadays these paths, or “Waalwege” provide great opportunities for walking.
Below-mentioned you will find some of the most popular “Waalwege” in the surroundings of Dorf Tirol.
Itinerary: Dorf Tirol - Spronser Valley / Longfall – Gasthof Ungericht - back
The approx. 2.5 km long “Waal” runs along almost entirely level countryside through the forests above Kuens. Except for its last part, the “Waal” has preserved its initial state and is still in use. The path along the irrigation channel is nowadays a popular hiking trail.
Itinerary: Gratsch - Algunder Waal - Plars - back
The 6 km long “Waal” runs along almost entirely flat countryside from Gratsch and Algund to Plars across fruit orchards, forests and vineyards. In many sections, the irrigation channel has preserved its original and natural state but in other sections the water runs underground through pipes.
Itinerary: Töll - Forst - Marling - Tscherms - Lana
With a length of 12 km, the Marlinger Waal is the longest and biggest natural irrigation channel of South Tyrol. He leads from the Töll to Oberlana, crosses forests, meadows, orchards, vineyards, wild gorges as well as steep rock slopes and passes various farms and local inns. The “Waal” has preserved its initial state in most sections but it runs also through pipes, concrete channels and rock tunnels. It is still used for the irrigation of the orchards and vineyards in Marling and Tscherms
Itinerary: Dorf Tirol - Aichweg - crossroad Jaufenstraße - Passerdamm to Saltaus
The Maiser Waal with a length of approx. 9 km is one of the most important natural irrigation channels of South Tyrol. It has preserved its original state in most sections and it is still in use. The path along the “Waal” which leads from Obermais to Saltaus offers beautiful hiking opportunities.
From Kuens to the Pilgrimage Church (Wallfahrtskirche)
The Riffianer Waalweg trail begins above Kuens Church (car park) and runs mainly through shady forest to the Roesslhof above the Pilgrimage Church in Riffian. The irrigation water is piped. The hike may be extended onto the Roesslsteig path as far as Saltaus.
Length: 1.5 km
Walking time: approx. ¾ hour
On the Sonnenberg mountain
This irrigation channel trail has been left in a natural, unspoilt state, and is perhaps one of the most beautiful irrigation channel paths; it runs from the Zielbach brook and traverses the mountainside above Partschins. From Partschins it continues via the small access track towards the waterfall. Above the Salten Inn the trail turns right and along the romantic irrigation channel path; through the sparse stand of trees there is the opportunity to enjoy numerous wonderful views of Meran and the surrounding area as well as the calming sound of the water. The last section runs through orchards to Vertigen, the eastern part of Partschins.
Length: 3 km
Walking time: approx. 1 hour
Above the school and the Café Ifinger we turn right and we cross the street "Ifinger". We go upwards to the valley station of the Taser's funicular railway near the hotel "Pichler".
The beautiful path "Waalweg" starts on the right hand side; walking southwards we reach the romantic "Katzenleiter" and the farm "Brunjaunhof". The path offers a beautiful view on Meran. It continues above St. Georgen and goes downwards back to Schenna.
The Brandis Waalwag takes a left from the Gampenstraße Road in Oberlana and leads via the monastery Kloster Lanegg and St. Margareths Church to the waterfall in the Brandis Canyon in Niederlana. The path runs through orchards, vineyards and chestnut groves and offers beautiful views of the Tschögglberg Mountain, Lana and the Merano Valley Basin.
Walking time: ¾ h
level of difficulty: easy
| Fam. Klotzner | Tel. +39 0473 923 522 | |
| Segenbühel. 21 | Fax +39 0473 923 174 | |
| I-39019 Dorf Tirol |
