Lake Haid: the quiet neighbour of Lake Reschen

Until the damming in 1950 there were three lakes at the Reschen Pass: Lake Reschen, the middle lake (also called Lake Graun) and Lake Haid. The first two were joined into a single Lake Reschen, while Lake Haid remained a lake of its own. As early as 1373 “three lakes on the Malserhaide” are mentioned in records. The Ferienregion Reschensee explicitly calls Lake Haid the “natural” lake and gives its water surface as just under 90 hectares.

It is fed by the Adige, which is channelled in from Lake Reschen, and by the Zerzer brook from the high valley of Zerz. On its shore lies St. Valentin, a village at about 1,460 m and a district of the municipality of Graun, shaped by old farms, small churches and a compact village centre. On the shore is the hamlet of “Fischerhäuser” (fishermen’s houses): according to the South Tyrol tourist board, the name goes back to Carthusian monks from the Schnals valley who ran a fish farm here.

The view is the main thing: above the water and the meadows of the Malser Haide rises the glaciated Ortler, at 3,905 m the highest mountain in South Tyrol. On the shore, wooden walkways, stretches of forest and a broad belt of reeds alternate; the reeds count as a protected biotope and are a nesting place for many birds, and coots are often seen there.

It is quiet on the water because boats with combustion engines are forbidden; electric motors are allowed. In the village stands the Maria-Hilf chapel. If you want to go higher, take the Haideralm cable car into the Schöneben-Haideralm hiking and biking area.

The lake walk follows path no. 1 all the way and is about 5 kilometres long; about 1.5 hours is given as walking time. The height difference is very small. A 4.5-kilometre Nordic walking route also runs along the shore.

There are benches for a rest and viewpoints along the way; for a stretch the path shares the cycle route, and at a junction the “Seerundweg” sign leads back down to the water. A jetty leads out over the water to the reeds. The restaurant Zeress is on the way for a break. The loop starts and ends at the car park by the village.

In summer Lake Haid is a place for strolls, cycling on the Via Claudia Augusta, stand-up paddling and angling: trout, char, whitefish and carp live in the lake, and a licence and fishing permit are needed. For quiet hours the early morning and late afternoon are loveliest, when the light over the Ortler turns soft. In St. Valentin there is also a 3D archery course with 28 targets; bows can be hired and instruction is given on site.

In winter the lake usually freezes as early as the end of November. Then there is a natural ice rink with skate hire in St. Valentin and in Reschen, ice sailing and snowkiting, and those who dare go ice bathing. A groomed winter walking path runs around the lake. Whether and when the ice will bear is decided by the weather and by the signs on site; never plan your visit around it. For tobogganing there is a 1.5-kilometre run in St. Valentin.

The lake walk is easy and goes well with children. In the nearby Talai forest at St. Valentin the Talai adventure trail leads three kilometres past stations where children learn about the Venediger Mandln and life in the mountains; a treasure hunt in the forest is also described. The Haideralm mountain inn has a playground.

Dogs are possible on the lake walk; in the reeds and on paths with cycle traffic they belong on a lead, because birds nest there. The restaurant Zeress and the Haideralm mountain inn list dogs as allowed.

Right on the cycle and walking path at the lake is the restaurant Zeress with regional cooking. In the village a restaurant serves local dishes, pizza and home-made ice cream. In the hiking and biking area the Haideralm mountain inn offers South Tyrolean, Italian and international cooking.

Lake Reschen with the church tower is only a few kilometres to the north; Lake Haid and Lake Reschen can be joined into a bike ride on the Via Claudia Augusta. Over the Reschen Pass it is about 20 minutes to Nauders, with Naudersberg Castle. On the way back to Prämajur you pass Burgeis with Marienberg Abbey and Mals.

Ferienhotel Kastellatz is in Prämajur above Burgeis in the municipality of Mals, at the foot of the Watles. To Lake Haid it is 14 kilometres, about 20 minutes by car, via Burgeis and the Malser Haide. If you are looking for a hotel on the lake you will find one in St. Valentin; with us you will find peace and quiet at 1,740 m, a panoramic indoor pool and a terrace.

With the Reschensee Guest Pass, trains and buses throughout South Tyrol are included in your stay. Current timetables are on suedtirolmobil.info.

By car: From Prämajur drive down to Burgeis, then follow the main road up the valley across the Malser Haide to St. Valentin. The car park is on the shore by the village, and the lake walk starts there.

By bus and train: Take bus 277 to Mals station, then the regional bus towards the Reschen Pass as far as St. Valentin. With the Reschensee Guest Pass the journey is included in your stay; timetables are on suedtirolmobil.info.

Parking: Car park on the lake shore at St. Valentin