Your centrally located hiking hotel near Meran Spend your hiking holiday around Dorf Tirol

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

An easy stroll, about 2.5 hours, with sweeping views over the roofs of the town of Merano: it’s a South Tyrol classic. The path, which has an average altitude of 380 metres, affords fantastic views of rooftops of the city and sweeping views of the whole area.

From Merano, there are several approaches to the Tappeinerweg: going up the steep path called the Tiroler Steig behind Merano’s parish church, from Via Galileo Galilei/Galileistraße road by the valley station for the Küchelberg chair lift, up the steep path called the Schlehdorfsteig off of Via Giuseppe Verdi/Verdistraße street, and from the Castel San Zeno/Zenoburg, past the Polveriera/Pulverturm Tower.

This path in the dramatic Passer Gorge, near the cliffs of the Zenoburg, winds through fascinating subtropical vegetation, and is guaranteed to appeal to romantic visitors. It was constructed by the Imperial Counsellor, Dr Hans Prünster in 1879-1880. Repeated rock blasting, and the erection of high supporting walls and arches, were necessary to allow the path to reach its objective – a small terrace directly below the Zenoburg castle.

Here you can see the raging Alpine torrent pour through the narrow gorge. A few steps back, and you reach the path ascending to the Powder Tower and the start of the Tappeiner Promenade, with a magnificent panoramic view over Meran and the Etsch Valley.