Irrigation Channel Trails

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.

Constructed: in the 15th century
Length: 1.5 km
Walking time: approx. ¾ hour
Difference in altitude: not significant
Refreshments: Inns in Riffian and Kuens
Bus connection: Meran-Riffian
Sights: the Baroque Pilgrimage Church in Riffian

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.

Constructed: in the 14^th century
Length: 3 km
Walking time: approx. 1 hour
Difference in altitude: only the climb to the irrigation channel trail
Refreshments:  Salten, Grasweger, Niedermair
Bus connection: Meran-Partschins and poss. Partschins-waterfall
Sights: Typewriter Museum in Partschins

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.

Constructed: in 1333
Length: 6 km
Walking time: approx. 2 hours
Difference in altitude: not significant
Refreshments: Leiter am Waal, Konrad, Kircher in Gratsch
Bus connection: Meran-Vellau / Meran-Partschins or Meran-Thurnstein
Sights: the new Parish Church in Algund

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.

Constructed: in 1737
Length: 13 km
Walking time: approx. 4 hours
Difference in altitude: not significant
Refreshments: Schönblick, Enzian, Larchwalder, Waldschenke, Waalheim, Imbisstand (food stall), Eggbauer, Leitenschenke, Oberbrunn, Glögglhof
Bus connection: Meran-Partschins / Meran-Forst / Meran-Marling or Meran-Lana
Sights: Lebenberg Castle above the irrigation channel path

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.

Constructed: in 1472
Length: 9 km
Walking time: approx. 2 ½ hours
Difference in altitude: not significant
Refreshments: Torgglerhof, Ofenbaur (a little below the path), in Obermais
Bus connection: to Saltaus and to Obermais