Meranerland

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 Waalweg routes in Meran Waalweg routes in Meran Delicious Italy

Merano is located in the valley of the River Adige as it runs downhill to Bolzano. It is one of Italy's northernmost towns and for this reason your might find the locals calling it Meran.

This is the emotional heart of Süd Tirol and in case you weren't sure 'Tirol' itself is just outside the town. The population can trace their roots to pre-history and the Liguri. The Romans only got there 15 years before BC became AD.

The name Mairania only came to the fore in 847 AD and it was only in the 12th century that the ruling count took up the name Tirol. The Italian branch of the dynasty passed over the reins to their Austrian cousins in 1363 and this coincided with a decline in the area as Innsbruck remained their preferred home.

The town remained down until less than 200 years ago when local doctors started promoting the grapes and apples grown in the area. The leisure industry was born.

As well as the fabulous winter snow the local tourism authority are promoting the area as a green destination to wash away those winter cobwebs. They tell us that an hour's walk reduces the possibility of diabetes by 50%. And an apple per day? Yet, they have come up with an interesting alternative to a simple walk in the woods.

These are the 'Waalwege'. There are over 50 of them and they are the old irrigation canals for the fields, orchards and pastures. Of differing lengths but all are easy. Among the suggestions are the:

- 'Waalweg di Verdines' (3 hours, 7,5 km, from Scena to S. Giorgio to Scena).

- 'Waalweg di Caines' (2 hours, 5 km, from Caines - Gasthof Ungericht - Maso Mutlechnerhof - Longfall - Via Caines).

- 'Waalweg di Parcines' (2 hours, 5 km, from Parcines - Salten - Albergo Niedermair - Parcines)

www.meraneland.com

Last modified on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 14:24
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