The top 3 irrigation channel paths in Merano and Environs for your summer holiday
Yes, I know, winter is over and summer is just around the corner. I can tell you what that means for me... After all the delicious treats over the Christmas period, it's high time to diet so that I can fly through the skies of South Tyrol again. Of course, I also want my "bikini figure" back ;)
And I think that our Waalwege (irrigation channels) are best suited to this. Because before I dive straight into the mountains, one thing should be clear: I don't want to overdo it with the climbing. It doesn't have to be a difficult mountain tour high up on the peaks of South Tyrol. The Wellness Hotel Hanswirt is the ideal starting point for the 3 top irrigation channel paths for your summer holiday.
The idyllic hiking paths along the ancient irrigation channel paths are a popular attraction of the Venosta Valley. Their route runs along narrow water canals used centuries ago by farmers to irrigate their fields. The Venosta Valley has a dry climate and low rainfall. In the past, irrigation canals known as "Waale" conducted the water from the glaciers to the valley. The current irrigation channel paths were originally made to enable the guardians of the canals to control the regular flow of water. Throughout Venosta Valley there are about twenty of these popular hiking paths. They extend on both sides of the valley and are passable year-round and offer stunning panoramic views of the majestic mountains and the valley. The paths of the canals in South Tyrol are the preferred routes for families, those looking for excursions which are not too demanding, and all who want to enjoy the amazing vegetation and wildlife of the Venosta Valley in complete relaxation. There are almost 50 irrigation channels in the Venosta Valley and around Merano; here you will find a small selection of them.
Route description
The Algund Waalweg canal trail passes by Oberplars/Plars di Sopra and Mitterplars/Plars di Mezzo, two districts of Algund/Lagundo, and takes you to the scenically located old village of Algund/Lagundo. From there continue through beautiful vineyards to Gratsch/Quarazze, a district of Meran/Merano, where the hiking trail meets the road to St. Peter/San Pietro. There you have the possibility to prolong your tour for another 90 minutes by taking the Tappeinerweg trail to the centre of Meran/Merano. Return to the centre of Algund/Lagundo by taking the city bus Algund/Lagundo 237, the bus to Vellau/Velloi 235 or the bus to Partschins/Parcines 213.
Description to arrive at destination
Merano, Lagundo - Direction Plars di Sopra.
Parking
Parking place at Töll-Plars, next to the starting point of the Waalweg.
Public transport
The starting point is easy to reach with the following public connections:
With bus line 213 from Algund town hall to junction Oberplars.
Route description
From Marling station take the Vinschgau Railway line to Töll. From here follow the signs to the entrance to the Marling Waalweg trail. The Waalweg runs above Marling as far as Oberlana. Here there is a short, steep descent to the bus station, from where bus no. 211 returns to Marling. Leave the bus at Marlinger Brücke bridge and then take path no. 33 to the centre of the village of Marling.
Description to arrive at destination
From Meran/Merano or the valley Vinschgau/Val Venosta to the station of Marling/Marlengo.
Parking
On the public car park next to the entrance to the hiking path can be parked for free.
Public transport
To the entrance: From Marling/Marlengo station take the Vinschgau Railway line 250 to Töll/Tel.
The Parcines Waalweg path starts an half-hour walk from the centre of Parcines. We start in the centre of the village and take the marker "Sagenweg - Waalweg" towards east. Arrived at the district of Vallettina (Vertigen, in German) a short steep ascent leads us up to the Waalweg path. The irrigation canal, along which the Parcines Waalweg path snakes, still today serves the purpose of irrigating the fields and surrounding orchards, as also its original purpose was.
The flat path is overgrown with dense deciduous forests and macchia. Where the forest clears we have a gorgeous view over Parcines, the Val Venosta until the Ortles in the west and the Sarentino Alps with the Monte Cervina and Ivigna in the east.
At the western end of the irrigation channel we reach the Val di Tel (Zieltal) which leads into the Gruppo di Tessa (Texelgruppe) and where also the well-known waterfall of Parcines can be found. But for us now it means to walk into the other direction – downhill. Along the brook Zielbach we walk to the chain bridge and take the marker no. 1 back to the village of Parcines.
Please note: this very nice and easy walking-tour can be recommended especially in spring and autumn, when it doesn't get too hot. We did it in autumn and were highly impressed by the bold different colours of the leaves.
Sources: https://www.vinschgau.net/en/mountain-holidays/hiking-mountain-tours/irrigation-channel paths.html#:~:text=Walking%20along%20the%20ancient%20waterways%20in%20South%20Tyrol&text=In%20the%20past%2C%20irrigation%20canals,the%20regular%20flow%20of%20water.
