From Merano to Sluderno with the Val Venosta railway and then hiking along the water channels into the Val di Mazia
Image gallery: Sluderno Waalweg paths
In the Val Venosta, farmers can't do without the water channels ("Waale"), which irrigate their fields with the melt water of the glaciers in the Oetztal Alps.
After about an hour of travel on the Val Venosta Train, which offers beautiful views of this very special alpine valley and its villages, we arrive in Sluderno. From here, we hike steeply upwards heading towards Monte Sole and crossing Coira castle, one of the most beautiful castles in South Tyrol. Having passed the meadows around the Vernalhof farm above Sluderno, we finally reach the water channels. The Waalweg path leads into the forested Val di Mazia.
We cross the middle of the valley at the ravine of the stream which supplies the water channels in order to hike back to Sluderno on the Leiten Waalweg path at the other side of the valley. We pass Ganglegg, a prehistoric settlement of the Bronze and Iron Age, which can be visited. Arrived back in Sluderno, we visit the Val Venosta Valley Museum. Finally, we take the train back to Merano.
Please note: different from most other Waalweg paths, this hiking tour is particularly recommended in summer since it lies at an altitude of 1,000 metres.
Author: AT
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- Starting point:
- Sluderno / Schluderns
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- Time required:
- 03:10 h
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- Track length:
- 7,6 km
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- Altitude:
- from 919 m to 1.229 m
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- Altitude difference:
- +336 m | -336 m
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- Signposts:
- no. 18A, 20, 17, 18
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Sluderno Waalweg paths
If you want to do this hike, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
