Hiking in the Vinschgau: trails from Prämajur by duration and difficulty
Hiking in the Vinschgau means, for guests of the Ferienhotel Kastellatz: close the front door and set off. At 1,740 m, the trails on the Watles and into the Schlinig valley begin right at the house. We have sorted the tours by duration and difficulty and added the practical tips worth knowing beforehand.
Altitude as a head start
The house sits at around 1,740 m, you start where others first have to drive. The Watles valley station is around 100 m away.
Tours for every level of fitness
From a stroll across the pastures to a day tour to the Sesvenna hut in the Schlinig valley, and, for the experienced, the Uina gorge on the way to the Engadine.
Equipment ready and waiting
Hiking and Nordic-walking poles can be borrowed from us free of charge; after the tour, the panoramic indoor pool and saunas await.
Short tours of up to about two hours
The house walk to the Plantapatsch hut starts at the Watles valley station: trail no. 3, 1.5 to 2 hours of ascent, about 400 m of climbing, easy. The hut lies at about 2,150 m and offers views as far as the Ortler.
The alpine track to the Schlinig alp is almost level: from Schlinig 5.2 km, 130 m of ascent, about two hours, trail no. 1, easy. The legend trail from Burgeis to Marienberg Abbey takes about two hours; from the house, trails 2A and 2 also lead straight down to the abbey.
Half-day tours of two to three hours
To the Pfaffen lakes, two quiet mountain lakes at just over 2,220 m, the circuit from the house follows trails 20, 3 and 4A: 10.3 km, 545 m of ascent, about three hours, easy.
To the Watles summit (2,555 m) you walk from the house along trail no. 3: 5.9 km and 828 m of ascent, almost three hours up, medium difficulty, no scrambling. The Sesvenna hut (2,256 m) takes 5.3 km and 547 m of ascent from Schlinig, two to two and a half hours, medium.
Gentle outings on the valley floor are the Waal irrigation paths, for example near Schluderns (three to four hours, about 290 m of ascent, easy), or the walk from Marienberg along the Oberwaal to Mals (9.7 km, almost all downhill).
Full-day tour for the experienced
The Uina gorge is the region’s great tour: from Schlinig via the Sesvenna hut and the Schlinig pass to Sur En in the Engadine, about 19 km, 6.5 to 7.5 hours, hard. A head for heights is required. In season the Mals information office offers guided crossings with return transport.
Practical tips
The times are guide values from the house and from the hut operators. Plan with sturdy shoes, water and an eye on the weather forecast; the webcam shows conditions up above. Opening times of huts and alps change with the season and should be checked beforehand.
High tours and the Uina gorge are usually possible from late June to early October, while Waal paths and cultural destinations are rewarding in spring and autumn. In October the larches turn gold.
For an overview of summer on the Watles with the lift, play lake and further destinations, see the summer page.
All hiking tips from the hotel
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The Uina gorge
The path blasted into the rock through the Uina gorge is one of the most impressive passages in the region, a crossing steeped in history towards the Lower Engadine.
Important: the Uina gorge is a summer route, in winter it is closed and the safety chains are removed. Plan the tour for the snow-free season and, if in doubt, ask at the Sesvenna hut or at the house about current conditions.
FAQ
- Do I need my car during the holiday?
- Not for most tours, the Watles and the Schlinig valley begin at the house, and with the Reschensee Guest Pass, rail and bus travel throughout South Tyrol is included in your stay.
- Which tour is the easiest?
- The house walk to the Plantapatsch hut and the alpine track to the Schlinig alp are considered easy. Both also suit families.
- Is there equipment to borrow?
- Hiking and Nordic-walking poles, and snowshoes in winter, can be borrowed from us free of charge.
- When can the Uina gorge be walked?
- Only in summer. In winter it is closed and the safety fittings are removed. Check conditions before the tour.
- Which tour is especially worthwhile?
- If you climb just one summit, make it the Watles: from the hotel door to the summit cross, no car and a 360° view.
The mountains are already here
Choose your travel dates, the first tour begins right at our front door.