I-39025 Naturns bei Meran/Südtirol/Italien • Familie Ladurner • St. Zeno-Straße 13 • Tel. +39.0473.666.251 • Fax +39.0473.666.105 • info@preidlhof.it
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Trail tips
Meraner Höhenweg - the Meran High Alpine Path
Take the free-of-charge shuttle bus to Partschins and then get your tickets for a second shuttle service up to the 97 meter-high Partschins waterfall, one of the biggest and most beautiful falls in the entire Alpine region. It is at its most impressive from May to July when a thundering, awesome cascade of melted snow-water tumbles over the massive, free-standing rock face or at any other time of the year after an exceptionally heavy rainfall. The air near the fall is especially moist and humid and its water has a remarkable refreshing, invigorating effect on the lungs and immune system.
Leaving the waterfall behind you, take path no. 8 up to Nassereith and then walk on along path no. 24, the Meraner Höhenweg, to the Gigglberg, Hochforch, Pirch and on as far as Grub where path no. 6 will lead you back to Naturns. A real adventure and the perfect walk for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the flora and fauna of the Texel Group Nature Park.
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Töll – Algunder Waalweg (irrigation channel trail)
We drive by car to the river Töll. From here we walk along the Plarser Waalweg and the Ochsentodweg as far as Schloss (castle) Tirol. We find a nice spot to stop for lunch (on the house). From here we enjoy the great view of the town of Meran/Merano and beyond into the Etschtal valley. Having relaxed and reenergised we start to make our way back. We head somewhat downhill past the Schloss (castle) Thurnstein before reaching the Algunder Waalweg. This then leads us to the Plarser Waalweg which takes us back to Töll.
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Furthest hills of the Martelltal valley
We travel by car into the Martelltal valley as far as the entrance to the lake, and then up to the Enzianhütte hut, which is situated at a height of 2,051 metres. Here we park our cars on the car park (subject to charge).
From there we head in the direction of the former Hotel Paradies and follow path no. 12 to the old Steinmauer (stone wall).
From the Steinmauer we head uphill to the Zufallhütte hut (2,265 metres).
We find a nice area to stop for a rest while enjoying the marvellous mountain and glacier region of the rearmost hills of the Martelltal valley. As we are in the Stilfserjoch National park, it is quite possible that deer will cross our path.
From the Zufallhütte we head back to the Enzianhütte and then to our starting point.
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Lake Zirmtal
We then travel together by car in the direction of Tschars until reaching the Marzoner Alm alpine pasture. There we park the cars and start our walk.
The walk leads us through lush alpine pastures and later through shaded woods up to the edge of the woods. We will certainly come across a sea of blossoming alpine roses along the way (June). Having reached the edge of the woods, we then have to climb a little before seeing the seeing Lake Zirmtal (2,144 metres) in front of us in all its magnificence. It seems as though Lake Zirmtal never awoke from its state of hibernation. We stop for a bite to eat at the Zirmtaler Alm restaurant.
Having refreshed ourselves, we start to make our way back, passing the Marzoner Alm along the way.
There you have the opportunity to stop for a rest or a bite to eat if you choose. After a short break the path brings us back to the cars.
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Wallburgweg path
From the St. Zeno parish church we head directly through the large valley to the tennis courts. From here we head up to the left, following the asphalt road signposted no. 10. After a few minutes the road makes a sharp turn to the right, here we turn left and follow the sign "Schwalbennest, Höhenweg” (swallow’s nest, high path).
We then pass the quaint Pichlhof and follow the road through the vineyards to the Mauerbaumhof. Directly behind it is the Schwalbennest (swallow’s nest) snack bar with a wonderful view of Naturns. After the Schwalbennest restaurant we head uphill, following the Wallburgweg sign. In ancient times the hill-forts (Wallburgen) of the Rhaetians, the original inhabitants of Tyrol, were to be found here on the sunny slopes, hence the name. After 15 minutes we reach the Wallburgweg path which runs towards Meran/Merano. After approx. 30 mins. we reach the sign “Wiedenplatzer Keller” and head downhill. At the Wiedenplatzer Keller (restaurant) we walk past heading downhill until reaching the Panoramaweg (panoramic walk) marked no. 91. We follow this route towards Naturns as far as the tennis courts in Nischlhof. Here we cross the wide ditch and return to our starting point.
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Waal (irrigation channel) hike high up above Meran/Merano
The starting point of our walk is the river Töll. We walk directly along the Marlinger Waalweg (the longest irrigation channel in South Tyrol) to the commune of Marling.
Along the way we have a great view of the Meran/Merano valley basin. A short stretch of the path is marked as a forest adventure trail. We stop off at the Waldschenke restaurant above Marling and then walk back along the Waalweg (irrigation channel trail).
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Höhenweg: St. Martin – Schlandersberg
We drive by car to the car park of the ski-lift base station in Latsch which takes us up to the mountain village of St. Martin. Here you already have a wonderful view of the Upper Vinschgau, into the Martelltal valley and to the eastern Ortlergruppe.
We follow the Forststrasse (forest road) as far as Egghof, which clings to the steep slope like a swallow's nest.
A footpath now leads us through the alpine pastures and past the farm ruins of Laggar and Zuckbichl. The view is particularly impressive.
We now descend to Fallerbach and soon reach the Tappeinhof above Schlanders.
A forest track, and at times a footpath, leads us down to the end point: The Jausenstation (small restaurant) Fisolgut next to Schloss (castle) Schlandersberg. We continue further downhill in order to reach Schlanders. From here we travel by public service bus to Latsch.
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Naturnser Höhenweg – Schwalbennest (swallow's nest)
From the St. Zeno parish church we head directly through the large valley to the tennis courts. From here we head up to the left, following the asphalt road signposted no. 10. After a few minutes the road makes a sharp turn to the right, here we turn left and follow the sign "Schwalbennest, Höhenweg” (swallow’s nest, high path).
We then pass the rustic Pichlhof and follow the road through the vineyards to the Mauerbaumhof. In the barn of this farm you can see an old “Torggel” (large wooden spindle wine press). Directly behind it is the Schwalbennest snack bar with a wonderful view of Naturns. We now follow the forest track (high path) downhill, which soon joins the “Sonnenberg” nature trail. An information board located here points out the particular vegetation of the Sonnenberg. We soon reach an asphalt side street which we follow downhill as far as the Hauptstrasse (main street). We continue alongside the Hauptstrasse towards Naturns for about 100 metres before turning into the Kugelgasse. After passing fruit orchards and the rear of Hotel Fungashof we arrive back at the starting point.
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Juval – Schnalser Waalweg
We travel with the public service bus from Naturns to the car park below Schloss (castle) Juval. From here we take another bus (which has to be paid for) to the castle hill of Schloss Juval. Here you can participate in a one-hour guided tour of the castle. Of particular interest is the Tibetan collection, the mountain image gallery, the mask collection.
The Schnalser Waalweg marked no. 3 starts directly above the restaurant Schlosswirt. From here we follow the course of the water which sometimes flows through pipes but also flows along open channels. The path largely passes through shaded woods. There are 2 points at which we have to climb over heaps of rubble.
After approx. 90 minutes, just after Altrateis, we reach the Schnalstaler Hauptstrasse (main street). The bus stop of the public service bus is nearby. Maybe you can walk back the way you came.
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Kreuzbrünnl-Altalm-Mauslochalm
We travel by car to the Naturns football pitch, from there we follow the Nörderbergstrasse as far as the stop sign at the "Kreuzbünnl" car park (1,600 metres), approx. 20 mins. drive.
Here we follow the marking 5A in the direction of Alt-Alm (Zehtenalm). The first part of the trail (approx. 20 mins.) is somewhat of an uphill gradient. Then we reach rustic Altalm (under cultivation) with its fantastic sun terrace. We now following marking A in the direction of Mauslochalm (Frantschalm). The first 20 mins. of this section are relatively easy as it leads slightly downhill through a shaded coniferous forest. After 45 mins. walking we reach the Mauslochalm (under cultivation). From here we follow the gravel track back to the car park.
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Marzoner Alm – Jägerhütte – Mahdalm
We travel by car to the Weiler Freiberg above Kastelbell and then to the car park at the Freiberger Säge. We walk along the wide alpine trail for about 30 minutes before reaching the Marzonalm pasture. Here starts the Jägersteig, which leads almost on an even level through the wood to the Jagdhütte hut and further to Mahdalm. We then stop for lunch on the nice alpine pasture with a great view of the Sonnenberg and the mountain crests of the Ötztaler Alps behind it.
We return via a steep but short descent to the cars.
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Right to the very top: Kirchbachspitze (2.951 mt.)
Take the Sonnenberg cable-car up to Unterstell and then path no. 10A and no. 10 past the farmsteads at Patleid, Lint and Dick as far as the Dicker Alm and on to the Operen Moaralm. Stay on the same path to reach the top of the Kirchbachspitze peak and rest a while to enjoy the fantastic view from there and from the various sun-terraces of the many farmhouses and lush, green Alpine meadows which you'll pass on your way back down again along path no. 10 and 10A. Take another little rest and have something to eat and drink before you go on your way or linger a little to enjoy the fantastic sunset as the sun disappears behind the towering peaks of the Sonnenberg mountain.
You might like to return via path no. 6 past Schnatz and Grub which will get you back to Naturns in about 4½ hours but please note that the path in question is quite steep and strenuous in parts!
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Tscharser and Stabener Waalweg (water irrigation paths)
Take the public bus service to the village of Tschars then path no. 3, the Tscharser Waalweg which winds its way along the apple farmers' irrigation channels, to the Sonnenhof farm. Turn off onto path no. 1A towards Juval Castle, the summer residence of well-known mountaineer Reinhold Messner and his family. The castle, which is open to the public during summer months, is well-worth a visit and houses an extensive collection of exhibits from Tibet, a gallery full of paintings of mountain scenes, a collection of masks from all over the world and many more items of interest. Continue walking down the asphalted road to the Schlosswirt farmhouse just beneath the castle itself and maybe stop for a quick snack there in the cosy Stübe, the traditional old wood-panelled living-room or in the wooden-beamed attic with its enormous paintings of the Yao Gods Parliament and a further unique collection of art from Tibet. The farmhouse also has a cool cellar cut from the rock of the mountain-side.
After a short rest, you'll be ready for the walk from the Schlosswirt up towards the Tscharser Waalweg which leads to the Sonnenhof farm. Take path no. 1 from there downwards to where it meets the Stabener Waal path which will take you to Falzrohr and past the Himmelreich Guesthouse back to Tschars.
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Hike from farmhouse to farmhouse - Sonnenberg Schnals - Naturns
Take the public bus service to Katharinaberg in the Schnals valley and then start out along path no. 24, the Meraner Höhenweg, one of the most beautiful walks in the whole Alpine region. The Höhenweg is 110 km. in length and there are many paths leading up to it from various points along the valley. It is ideal for hiking any time from the end of June to October, general weather and snow conditions permitting, and a number of little guesthouses on or near the path offer bed-and-breakfast accommodation so that hikers can pace themselves and take as long as they like for the walk. This particular path leads you past Unterperfl, Wand, Kopfron and Innerunterstell to Lint where you then make your way down along path no. 10A to Unterstell. Then you can either take the Sonnenberg cable-car back to Naturns or path no. 10 and walk back to the village.
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Hike from farmhouse to farmhouse on theSonnenberg
Take the Schlossweg path, then turn towards Schwalbennest and walk on past the small cable-car at sign-post no.10 to Höfl and Unterstell or, if you prefer, take the Sonnenberg cable-car up to the Unterstell farm. Walk on upwards along path no. 10A and no. 10 to reach Patleid and further up to Lint. Then turn right and go on up path no. 24, the Meraner Höhenweg, to reach Innerforch, Galmein and Grub.
The farmhouses which line this particular walk are just a few of the fifty-six mountain farms to be found in the Naturns area. Most of them are working farms as well as Jausenstation or Gasthof, places where you can get food or drink along the way and even a bed for the night. These farms offer guests the opportunity to see how their owners live and work. Perhaps you'd like to watch the farmer's wife bake bread, help with the hay-making or learn how to mill your own flour. The farmers' families make their visitors very welcome and are pleased to answer any questions you might want to ask.
And, when you're ready, simply take path no. 6 from the Grubhof farm back down to Naturns.