Hiking in Partschins Hiking & Mountain Tours

Partschins has two hiking areas, each served by its own cable car. To the north, the Texelbahn cable car leads up the Sonnenberg mountain, while on the south side the Aschbach cable car reaches up into the Nörderberg mountain. There are paths and hiking trails at different altitudes totalling 240 km: from the flat Waalwege trails along the ancient irrigation channels on the hillsides above Partschins to the high altitude mountain terrain with 13 peaks rising above 3,000 m a.sl.. There are easy children’s walks as well as more challenging treks along the Merano High Mountain Trail.

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Tour start  Tour end Duration  Length

 Difference in height uphill  Difference in height downhill

Waalwege Trails In Partschins

What is a Waalweg? Read more on page n° 20.

ROUND TRIP ALONG THE ANCIENT “WAALWEG”

(IRRIGATION CHANNEL) OF PARTSCHINS

From Partschins village you follow the Sonnenbergstraße direction west then you pass the suspension bridge until you arrive at the Winklerhof. From there you follow the trail no. 1 near the river Ziel until you arrive to the entry of the ancient Waalweg (irrigation channel) of Partschins. You follow the irrigation channel direction east. At the end of the Waalweg you follow the footpath no. 7A to the district Vertigen, then downhill along the road to the center of the village.

ROUND TRIP ALONG THE ANCIENT “WAALWEG” (IRRIGATION CHANNEL) OF RABLAND

From the center of Rabland you walk to the St. Jacob's Church and pass the Hotel Hanswirt with the well-known Roman milestone. Continue along the Geroldstraße between houses and through orchards to the western entrance of the Rablander Waalweg (irrigation channel) at the Happichl inn. From there you follow the idyllic Rablander Waalweg in a half-hour, at the end you sharp right and you reach again on a narrow road in 20 minutes the centre of Rabland.

THE “ALGUNDER WAALWEG” (IRRIGATION CHANNEL) PATHWAY FROM PARTSCHINS TO MERAN

From the center of Partschins (Franz von Goldeggstraße) path no. 10A past orchards over the "Töllgraben" to the district Oberplars. Turn right before the "Köstenwaldele" and follow path no. 10 downhill towards the center of Oberplars. Turn left on the road to the bus stop, continue past the "Schnalshuberhof" inn to the entrance of the Waalweg. Follow the Algunder Waalweg to Gratsch (a district of Meran). The Waalweg ends with a suspension bridge. A little further down the road to the entrance to the Tappeinerweg, one of the most famous walking paths in Meran! Descent to Meran.

“WAALWEG” (IRRIGATION CHANNEL) OF MARLING

The Marlinger Waalweg is one of the most beautiful irrigation channel in the region of Meran. With a length of 12 km, it is the longest irrigation channel path in South Tyrol. The Marlinger Waalweg begins near the Etsch barrage in Töll (opposite the parking lot on the main road). It runs along the slope of the Marlinger Berg mountain, just above the villages of Forst, Marling, Tscherms and ends in the village of Lana. Back with the bus via Meran.

 Töll  Lana 3 hours  12 km  85 m  266 m

PETER MITTERHOFER CULTURE TRAIL –ON THE PATH ON THE INVENTOR

Starting at the Töll hydroelectric power station, follow the cycling path along the Via Claudia Augusta to the Töll bridge. Cross the bridge and continue along the Bahnhofstraße street up to the K.u.K. Imperial and Royal Bad Egart museum. Continue along the "Badlweg" trail and on to the Saring Bridge in Rabland. Turn left, along Cutraunstraße street to the Vingschgauer street (the main road Venosta) leading through Rabland. Following the main road in the direction of Meran/o, turn left to the Lahnstraße street then right into Hans-Guet-Straße street and to Route No. 1 through fields and woods to the Texelbahn cable car valley station. The route leads along the Peter Mitterhofer street past the birthplace of the famous inventor, Peter Mitterhofer, into the town center of Partschins. Passing the Kirchplatz square and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, continue along the Hubenstraße road where you can visit the well-preserved ancient Roman tomb. Bend to the right along the old Roman trade road and then left into Zehentstraße road towards Töll. Turn left to the field along Vertigen and return to the Etsch dam at Töll.

/  Töll 2,5 hours  8,6 km  /  160 m

Forest Adventure Trail Aschbach

This easy family circular hike starts at the mountain station of the Aschbach/ Rio Lagundo cable car. From there, continue on hiking trail no. 27A towards the Eggerhöfe farms. After walking approx. 5 minutes you will reach the junction to the Aschbach forest adventure trail. The adventure trail is a scenic route of approx. 3.6 km, with illustrated information panels (in German and Italian) and interactive stations along the way, showing the great diversity of fauna and fauna in the forest.

/  Aschbach cable car mountain station 1,5 hours

 3,6 km  /  214 m

From Aschbach To The Martinsweg Themed Trail

Themed Trails

Legend Trail Of Partschins

From the center of Partschins, head towards the district Vertigen and from there onto the Partschinser Waalweg – irrigation channel path. From the Waalweg, a path branches off to the right with the signposting for the “Sagenweg” (legend path, symbol: prehistoric hunters) and continues along the “Geadaweg” to the “Golderskofel” (viewpoint) and on to the famous “Saltenstein” rock on the district Salten. From there, follow the road in the direction of Partschins to the entrance to trail n° 1 along the Zielbach river in the direction of the Winklerhof farm/inn. From there, walk over the suspension bridge and through apple meadows to the center of Partschins.

Out tip: Take bus no. 265 from Salten to shorten the way to Partschins, or to visit the famous Partschins waterfall!

Starting point is the mountain station of the cable car Aschbach. From there, take forest path no. 27A to the intersection with path No. 27 (forest path) and continue on to hiking path no. 9 to the Eggerhof inn (1267 m). From there you follow the path no. 9 to the junciton "Martinsweg". The circular hiking trail leads back to the Eggerhof inn. The return journey is along trail no. 27 to the forest road, then further uphill towards Aschbach and back along trail no. 27A to the mountain station of the cable car Aschbach.

/  Aschbach cable car mountain station 3 hours  10 km  /  360m

Here

Easy Hiking Tours

Partschins Waterfall From Texelbahn Cable Car Valley Station

From the valley station of the Texelbahn cable car take trail n° 1 to the Winklerhof farm/inn and continue to the district Salten. There you cross the asphalted waterfall road and follow trail n° 1 to the Birkenwald inn (950 m a.s.l.). Crossing the road again, head uphill on trail n° 23 through a deciduous forest to the impressive Partschins waterfall with a drop of 97 m (1,060 m). At the Wasserfall inn, a footbridge leads to the viewing pulpit. Return along the same route or take the bus no. 265 to the center of Partschins and walk aproxx. 10 minutes (saving about 40 minutes).

 Texelbahn cable car valley station  Partschins waterfall

2 hours  4,1 km  484 m

Quadrathof Farm Hiking Tour

From the Niederhof Inn, follow the road in the direction of the Gramegg farm tavern, then continue along hiking trail no. 29B, past the historic farms Mitterhof, Niederweg and past the historic mountain farm Oberbrunn farm tavern. From there, continue along the mountain road to the Oberebenhof farm and Unterobereben farm tavern. From there, follow the same route back to the starting point at the Restaurant Niederhof.

Family Trail Quadrat

A short and easy hike for the whole family in Quadrat!

From the Restaurant Brünnl approx. 200 m along the asphalted street to the signpost "Familien-Wanderweg". After a few minutes of walk you cross the hiking trail 35A to the next signpost "Familien-Wanderweg" and you turn back on the trail to the Restaurant Brünnl.

Tip: You easily reach the restaurant by taking the bus no. 268.

MÜHLWAAL HIKING CIRCUIT ALONG AN AGE-OLD WATERWAY

Start at the bus stop "Birkenwald" in Partschins (bus no. 265). First downhill in the direction of Partschins a few metres on the tarred road, until you reach the entrance to hiking trail no. 1. Continue on hiking trail no. 1 until you reach the famous "Saltenstein" (approx. 15 minutes), a huge boulder steeped in legend, where the canal trail “Partschinser Waalweg” separates to the east. From there, walk down the waterfall road for about 150 metres, then turn left towards the canal trail “Partschinser Waalweg”. After about 50 metres, continue on hiking trail no. 1 where you will find yourself back on the waterfall road after a few minutes. Follow the waterfall road downhill for about 10 minutes until you reach the restored "Farmermühle" (farmer's mill) and continue along the waterfall road towards Partschins. When you reach the retirement home, turn right into Sonnenbergstraße and after a few meters turn left into Schlossergasse past an old fountain. At the end of Schlossergasse turn right into Peter-Mitterhoferstraße and after about 30 meters turn left into Mair am Ort Gasse. Here you will find another historic fountain, the "Stocker Brunnen". Following Mair am Ort Gasse, after a short walk you reach the Pröfingweg. Following this path, past old cruxifixes, you reach the historic and restored Mühlwaal (irrigation channel) after about 400 metres. Continue along the Zielbach stream to the valley station of the Texelbahn cable car (approx. 15 minutes). At the valley station, take hiking trail no. 1 to the Winklerhof farm and the suspension bridge. Continue over the suspension bridge along the Sonnenbergweg trail back to the village center of Partschins.

 Bus stop Birkenwald  Partschins 1,5 hours  4,9 km  128 m  427 m

High Forest Hike At The N Rderberg Mountain

The shade forest is perfect for nature lovers and the young discoverers during the sommertime.

From the Aschbach cable car mountain station, turn left onto the Egger trail on route no. 27A. The trail runs through the high forests of the Nörderberg mountain towards the intersection at the "Rasner Kreuz". The return trip leads back the same way to the Aschbach cable car mountain station.

/ Aschbach cable car mountain station 1 hour 4,8 km

 /  236 m

ROUND TRIP "BAD EGART"

Bad Egart is considered the oldest spa in Tyrol. The spring has been used for drinking and bathing cures since 1430, but probably as early as Roman times. Today Bad Egart is home to one of the most extraordinary museums of the Imperial and Royal period as well as an open-air museum with many curiosities.

Starting at the Aschbach cable car valley station near the Rabland railway station, the route takes a left turn towards Rabland, continuing on the tar road until reaching the forest road towards Töll. Passing the K.U.K. (Imperial and Royal) Bad Egart museum, you reach Töll bridge crossing the Etsch river. Once across, turn left on to the cycle trail on the ancient Via Claudia Augusta and then back to the starting point.

Round Trip Through The Apple Orchards

From the church square in Partschins, take a left turn on the Sonnenberg road through magnificent apple orchards up to the suspension bridge and to the Winklerhog inn. Take route no. 91A towards the sports center and then along the sidewalk in the direction of Rabland into a small field path to the left and to Hans Guet road. Turn left again and return back to Partschins on route no. 1 (changes to 7A). 

Medium Hiking Tours

PARTSCHINS HIGH PATH – CIRCULAR HIKING TRAIL

The hiking begins in the center of Partschins. Follow the trail no. 7A to the Graswegerkeller inn. From there continue on the trail no. 7 direction Niederhaushof farm. Here starts the "Partschinser Höhenweg" high path (marking 23). This trail is narrow, so sure-footedness and a good head for heights are required. The Partschinser Höhenweg high path leads you to the famous waterfall of Partschins and the Wasserfall inn, passing the Eggerhof farm and the Prünster inn. In front of the Wasserfall inn you can find the bus stop of the bus line 265. Head down the valley (trail no. 8B) to the Birkenwald inn. From here follow trail no. 1 downhill to the Winklerhof farm/inn and over the suspension bridge and the Sonnenbergweg trail back to Partschins.

/ Partschins 3 hours 20 minutes  8,4 km  /  632 m

PARTSCHINS – SAXNERWEG TRAIL – VELLAU

From the center of Partschins past the Gaudententurm residence (distillery of Schönweger Christine with weekly tastings) and continue on path no. 10B via the Töllgraben, then on the Saxnerweg trail (marking 26A) to Vellau (906 m). The paved road takes you to the church of Vellau, from there follow trail no. 26 on the Kieneggerweg trail to the Saxnerweg trail and back to Partschins.

/ Partschins 3,5 hours  10 km  532 m  532 m

ASCHBACH – NATURNSER ALM MOUNTAIN PASTURE –VIGILJOCH

With the Aschbach cable car from Rabland to the idyllic mountain village of Aschbach (1,362 m). From the mountain station, first follow the marking 28, then path no. 27 (Goldbrunnen-Siebenbrunnen) branches off to the right to the Naturnser Alm mountain pasture (1,922 m). Back (slightly uphill) on path no. 9A, then on trail no. 9 and no. 30 to the Vigiljoch (1,790 m). From there on path no. 28 back to the Aschbach cable car mountain station.

/ Aschbach cable car 3,5 hours  10 km  /  650 m

From Partschins On The Sonnenberg Mountain Panoramic Trail To Naturns

The Sonnenberg mountain panorama trail no. 91 (Sonnenberger Panoramaweg) connects Rabland with the neighboring village of Naturns, and offers hikers breathtaking views of the valley and the surrounding mountains and villages.

The way leads from the center of Partschins to the Winklerhof farm/inn. From there, continue westwards along the Sonnenberg mountain panorama trail (Sonnenberger Panoramaweg) no. 91 to Naturns. The path runs almost level (except at the beginning after the bridge there is a short, steep ascent), and reveals itself as a true panoramic route. At the end of the path you descend briefly to the village of Naturns where you can visit the famous ancient church of St. Prokulus and its museum. Bus no. 266 and then 265 lead back to Partschins.

On The Merano High Mountain Trail To The Alpine Hiking Trail Waterfall

From the mountain station of the Texelbahn cable car, take the Merano High Mountain Trail no. 24 in the direction of the Nasereit refuge (1,523 m). From there, take trail no. 8B to the Steinerhof mountain farm (1,442 m) and continue downhill to the "Alpinsteig Wasserfall" junction. Turn right and follow the Zielbach stream past turquoise-blue pools and a large rock "Knott". Possibility for a detour to the lookout point with picnic area and view of small waterfalls. Downhill over serpentines to the restaurant "Wasserfall" (from there you reach the lookout point / 5 minutes hiking), continue to the famous waterfall with 97 m drop height (1,060 m). Continue descending on trail no. 8B to the Birkenwald inn and via trail no. 1 along the Zielbach stream to the Winklerhof inn to the valley station of the Texelbahn cable car.

 Texelbahn cable car mountain station  village station 3 hours

 11 km  198 m  1093 m

Partschins Adventure Round Trip

From Partschins, head east on route 7A in the direction of Partschinser Waalweg (irrigation channel). Along the Waalweg irrigation channel in the direction of Salten district. Shortly before, turn right and follow the Partschinser Sagenweg (legends trail), past prehistoric settlements and places of worship to the Ebnerhof farm. Continue uphill through the forest (marker 1 then 23) to the Prünster inn (1,196 m). On trail no. 23 slightly downhill past the Gasthaus Wasserfall inn to the impressive Partschinser waterfall with a drop of 97 m (1,060 m). Down the valley on path 8B to the Gasthaus Birkenwald inn, then first left on the Wasserfallstraße road, then branching off to the right, following path marking 1 to the Winklerhof inn (642 m). Turn left and over the suspension bridge on path no. 39 to Partschins.

/ Partschins 3 hours 45 minutes  9,7 km  /  646 m

Circular Hiking Tour Partschinser Sonnenberg

From the Texelbahn valley station, take path no. 1 up to the Winklerhof inn (642 m). Follow trail no. 39 in the direction of Ausergrubhof farm (Gruberhof), turn right at the second crossroads and continue on the Sonnenberger Höhenweg high path no. 26 to the Dursterhof inn (1,057 m). Go back to the first crossroads, then turn left and walk down path no. 8A to the Schönleiterhof farm (841 m). From there, first follow trail no. 2 to the Amesauer farm (769 m), then follow trail no. 1 to the Winklerhof inn and back to the valley station of the Texelbahn cable car.

/ Texelbahn cable car valley station 2 hours 45 minutes  5,6 km  /  588 m

FROM RABLAND ALONG THE SECRET "RITTERSTEIG" TRAIL TO NATURNS

From the train station in Rabland, follow the road on the left, uphill for a short, steep climb to the organic farm Niedereben (634 m). Entry into path no. 25, downhill through the forest to the road, turn left and again enter hiking path no. 25 in the direction of Plaus. It goes past apple orchards and through the forest along the "Alpine-Well-Fit-Parcours", a "fitness path" with exercises to strengthen and relax. The course ends at the romantic Dornsberg Castle (13th century). Follow the road briefly towards Naturns, turn left and enter the "Rittersteig" (path no. 1). The Rittersteig leads comfortably through the forest to the sports field in Naturns.

 Rabland train station  Naturns 3 hours  9 km  230 m  279 m

HIKING IN THE TEXELGRUPPE NATURE PARK

MERANO HIGH MOUNTAIN TRAIL: WESTWARDS – TO THE GORGE OF 1,000 STEPS TO KATHARINABERG, IN SCHNALSTAL

The hike starts at the mountain station of the Texelbahn cable car and leads westwards along the Merano High Mountain Trail/Meraner Höhenweg, always following the marking no. 24. The trail consists of valley cuts and gullies that have to be hiked through, some of which are equipped with stairs, stone steps and safety barriers. The route alternates between downhill and uphill through shady forests and past sunny mountain meadows. The highlight of this stage of the Merano High Mountain trail no. 24 is the 1,000-step gorge with a 55-metre suspension bridge (the suspension bridge only shortens about 100 steps). This section requires some sure-footed to master the almost 1,000 stone, wooden and iron steps. You can hold on to ropes, chains and railings. Rustic mountain farms and inns offer rest and refreshment, and a waterfall along the way provides fresh water for refreshment. From the Linthof mountain inn, the trail then winds its way into the Schnalstal valley to the village of Katharinaberg, 1,245 m.

 Texelbahn cable car mountain station  Katharinaberg

5,5 hours  14,4 km  745 m  1043 m

MERANO HIGH MOUNTAIN TRAIL: EASTWARDS – FROM HOHE WIEGE UP TO THE HOCHGANGHAUS MOUNTAIN HUT

From the mountain station of the Texelbahn cable car (1,544 m) east along the Meraner Höhenweg (Merano High Mountain Path) no. 24 in the direction of the Nasereit refuge hut and on to the Tablander Alm hut (1,788 m). Continue over the "Hohe Wiege" (viewpoint, 1,809 m) to the Hochganghaus hut (1,839 m). From here, descend steeply via trail no. 7 and no. 7A down to Partschins (642 m).

Texelbahn cable car mountain station  Partschins 5 hours

 12,7 km  795 m  1709 m

ORENKNOTT (2258 M)

The trail to the Orenknott summit begins at the scenic Texelbahn cable car mountain station. The trail up route no. 2 leads to the Zielspitz summit. After a while, route no. 25A branches off to the left, leading up to the Orenknott summit. On the way down on route no. 25, you pass the Orenalm hut (private), passing the Hochforchhof farm. Hikers take route n° 24 back to the Texelbahn cableway mountain station.

/ Texelbahn cable car mountain station 3 hours 30 minutes  7,2 km  830 m  830 m

Zieltal Valley Hiking From Hut To Hut

From the mountain station of the Texelbahn cable car in 5 minutes to the "Giggelberg" inn - from there we hike on the well-known "Meraner Höhenweg" no. 24 to the Nasereit refuge (1,523 m, approx. 1 hour). Here path no. 8 branches off, which leads us through the wildly romantic Zieltal valley, past the Kaserstein-, Ginggl- and Zielalm pasture (2,198 m - closed) to the Lodnerhütte mountain pasture (2,295 m). The mountain hut is located directly at the spectacular confluence of the Zielbach stream and Lafaisbach stream and is the starting point for mountain tours to the most beautiful 3,000m peaks such as the Lodner (3,228 m - approx. 3.5 hours), Roteck (3,337 m - approx. 3.5 hours), Hohe Weisse (3,281 m - approx. 4 hours), Tschigat (2,998 m - approx. 3 hours), Zielspitze (3,001 m - approx. 3.30 hours). The descent is via the ascent route.

/ Texelbahn cable car mountain station 5 hours 30 minutes

 14,4 km  1.062 m  1.062 m

SPRONSER SEEN LAKES - ROUTE FROM VELLAU

Starting from the Leiter Alm mountain pasture (1522 m a.s.l.), walk along the Merano High Mountain trail no. 24 over a suspension bridge to the Hochganghaus refuge (1839 m a.s.l.), branching off to the right, a steep ascent leads along trail no. 7 to the Hochgangscharte wind gap (2441 m a.s.l.) (only for those who are free from giddiness!), branching off to the left from the wind gap, walk along above the Langsee lake (2 km) to the Grünsee lake, from there you descend on path no. 6 into the Spronsertal valley to the Oberkaser Alm mountain pasture (2131 m a.s.l.). Then turn right onto path no. 22 past the Mücken- and Pfitscherlacke lakes, and then climb moderately to the Taufenscharte wind gap (Karjoch) (2230 m a.s.l.). Now follows a steep, winding descent to the Leiter Alm mountain pasture.

/ Leiter Alm mountain pasture 5 hours 40 minutes  12,7 km

 /  1.110 m

8 Meran 2000 cable car, Hafling

650 m – 1905 m

9 Falzeben gondola, Hafling

1.621 m – 1905 m

10 Schwemmalm cable car, Ultental Valley

1.150 m – 2.162 m

11 Hirzer cable car, Saltaus (Passeiertal Valley)

490 m – 1980 m

12 Taser cable car, Schenna 820 m – 1.450 m

13 Verdins cable car, Schenna 842 m – 1.450 m

14 St. Martin im Kofel cable car, Latsch 630 m – 1740 m

15 Glacier cable car, Schnalstal Valley

2.011 m – 3212 m

16 Lazaun gondola, Schnalstal Valley

2.010 m – 2430 m

17 Grünboden Express gondola, Pfelders (Passeiertal Valley)

1.601 m – 2.001 m

Cable cars

in Partschins, Rabland and surroundings

1 Texelbahn cable car, Partschins 633 m – 1544 m

2 Aschbach cable car, Rabland 525 m – 1342 m

3 Unterstell cable car, Naturns 545 m – 1300 m

4 Hochmuth cable car, Dorf Tirol 650 m – 1400 m

5 Chairlift & basket lift, Algund 350 m – 950 m & 950 m – 1522 m

6 Vigiljoch cable car & chairlift, Lana 295 m – 1500 m

7 Chair lift, Meran 320 m – 500 m

Opening hours