Natz-Schabs: Apple Trail, Nature and Mineral Museum

Walking and hiking trails in Naz-Sciaves

Naz-Sciaves has quiet, car-free walking and hiking trails that are also accessible with a stroller. The Apple Trail runs for 7.7 kilometres from Naz to Rasa and back through pine forests, orchards, meadows, biotopes and chestnut groves. Along the Apple Trail, information boards provide information about apple cultivation in South Tyrol. Because the trail leads to Rasa and back to Naz, planning includes both the outward journey and the return. The route therefore allows the distance, sequence of landscapes and information about apple cultivation to be considered together.

Apple Trail and circular trail

The circular trail Across the Biotopes of the Natz-Schabs Apple Plateau is 9.4 kilometres long and takes approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes. Compared with the Apple Trail, it is longer than the 7.7-kilometre route. The duration of approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes remains an estimate. Breaks or a different walking pace may affect the time required personally; the distance and approximate time span should therefore be incorporated separately into the day’s planning.

Raier Moos, Rienz Gorge and apple blossom

Raier Moos is a protected habitat for endangered plants and animals. The Rienz Gorge can be crossed from Naz-Sciaves via two bridges. These are the Rienza Bridge near Naz and the Rundl Bridge near Schabs. Depending on the weather and temperatures, thousands of apple trees blossom in Naz-Sciaves between the end of March and the beginning of May. For a visit during the apple blossom season, the period as well as its dependence on weather and temperatures are important.

Apfelgarten playground in Rasa

The “Apfelgarten” playground in Rasa has a five-metre-high wooden apple. It also features a large water and mud area, a trampoline and swings shaped like wooden animals. For day planning, the playground can be considered independently of the hiking trail information as a separate destination in Rasa.

Apple Festival and Törggelen dishes

The Apple Festival features a parade with a crown made from 3,000 apples. There is also a tasting of freshly harvested apples and a farmers’ market with handcrafted products. The inns and taverns of Naz-Sciaves serve homemade Törggelen dishes made with local ingredients and their own wine.

Mineral Museum and Natz parish

The guided tour at the Natz-Schabs Mineral Museum includes a presentation on the origin and history of minerals in the European Alps. It includes an accompanied tour of the private collection with 1,500 minerals and a visit to a crystal cave. Natz parish probably originated as early as the Carolingian period, in the 9th century. Culture enthusiasts can therefore choose between a museum visit with several stations and a cautiously dated local history.

You can access further local destinations under Barbian, Feldthurns, Lüsen, Mühlbach, Meransen, Klausen, Villanders and Villnöß.

For the overarching travel overview: Eisack Valley.