Nals: Apple Orchards, Churches and Paths in the Adige Valley

Nals reveals its distinctive character above all through the interplay of extensive orchards and vineyards, historic architecture and paths through the landscape. Apple growing is the village’s most important agricultural factor. This makes Nals an interesting destination for you if you want to discover South Tyrol not only through individual sights, but also through agriculture, local history and outdoor activities.

Churches, Historic Residences and Fortress History

The parish church of St Ulrich in Nalles was founded in the 12th century by St Afra Abbey in Augsburg and has been the parish church of Nalles since 1910. Stachelburg Residence was built in the early Renaissance in the 16th century and was converted into a traditional wine cellar. Both buildings represent different historical traces that shape the cultural character of Nals.

The churches in the higher-lying parts of the village also lead through several eras. The Sacred Heart Church in the hamlet of Sirmian was built in 1843 and houses a Baroque altar dated 1713. The church of Santa Apollonia stands on a distinctive porphyry hill in Obersirmian and was built in the 12th or 13th century. In Nals, you therefore encounter both a 19th-century building and significantly older ecclesiastical structures.

Payersberg Ruins were built as a fortress in the first quarter of the 13th century. The Santa Croce Chapel is about a 15-minute walk from the centre of Nalles and is already documented as early as 1713. For culturally oriented walks, historic architectural forms here combine with clearly defined paths through the surrounding area, although the individual places do not all have the same character.

Hiking with Views of the Valley and Mountains

Above Nalles, the Burgstalleck viewing platform offers panoramic views of the Adige Valley, the surrounding orchards and the mountain panorama of the Southern Alps. The view makes it clear how closely the agriculturally shaped landscape and the wider alpine setting belong together.

A specific hiking route leads from Nalles to Katzenzungen Castle. It follows trails 2 and 17 through apple orchards to the castle. On the return journey from this hike, bus route 216 from Prissiano to Nalles can be used. This combination is particularly helpful for your planning if you want to walk the outward route and arrange the return without taking the same path.

Cycle Paths in the Adige Valley

In the area around Nalles, the cycle path in the Adige Valley is considered a route that runs level alongside the Adige River for longer stretches. The Via Claudia Augusta has only slight inclines and is considered suitable for all cyclists. Accordingly, two themes take centre stage in the verified local profile: flat sections along the river and a route with only slight inclines.

Apple Growing Explained First-Hand

During guided visits to the Grieserhof orchards, guests learn more about the work behind the apple, as well as traditions, old equipment and modern technologies. Apple growing thus appears not only as an element of the landscape, but also as an agricultural practice with both historical and contemporary aspects.

When choosing a hotel in Nals for your holiday, you can use these focal points as a guide for your personal travel rhythm: historic buildings, paths through apple orchards, panoramic views, cycle routes along the Adige River or insights into fruit farming. Nals is therefore suitable as a starting point for planning a trip in which culture, landscape and active exploration stand side by side.

More Places for Orientation

More destinations for orientation: Naturno, Plaus, Burgstall, Hafling, Lana on the Adige, St Leonhard in Passeier, Tisens and Gargazon.

For the overarching travel overview: Burggrafenamt.