Natz-Schabs: Apple Trails, Nature and Minerals

Holiday between apple trails and nature

Natz-Schabs combines peaceful, car-free walking and hiking trails, apple cultivation, the protected Raier Moos wetland, alpine minerals and homemade Törggelen dishes.

Landscape between blossom, habitat and gorge

The landscape is particularly vivid in spring. Depending on the weather and temperatures, thousands of apple trees blossom in Naz-Sciaves between the end of March and the beginning of May. The Raier Moos wetland complements this natural setting as a protected habitat for endangered plants and animals. For those interested in nature, this creates a varied perspective on the seasonal and ecological aspects of the area. From Naz-Sciaves, the Rienza Gorge can be crossed via two bridges: the Rienza Bridge near Naz and the Rundl Bridge near Schabs.

Walks with different route profiles

Natz-Schabs offers a clear selection of different types of routes for walks and hikes. In Naz-Sciaves, there are peaceful, car-free walking and hiking trails that are also accessible with a pushchair. 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 details about apple cultivation in South Tyrol. A second specific option is the “Across the Biotopes of the Natz-Schabs Apple Plateau” circular trail, which is 9.4 kilometres long and takes around 2 hours and 32 minutes. The combination of different lengths and the stated duration helps you compare the routes objectively and assess the desired tour length.

Minerals and local history

The guided tour at the Natz-Schabs Mineral Museum includes a presentation on the origin and history of minerals in the European Alps, an accompanied tour of the private collection with 1,500 minerals and a visit to a crystal cave. The parish of Naz was also probably established as early as the Carolingian period (9th century). The cultural spectrum therefore extends from the history of alpine minerals to an early period in the local history.

Apples, Törggelen and crafts

Regional products and food culture take different forms in Naz-Sciaves. The inns and taverns of Naz-Sciaves serve homemade Törggelen dishes made with local ingredients and their own wine. The Apple Festival features a parade with a crown made from 3,000 apples, a tasting of freshly harvested apples and a farmers’ market with handmade products. The apple therefore appears not only as a defining motif of the landscape, but also in a culinary and festive context.

A playground with an apple theme

The “Apple Orchard” playground in Rasa features a five-metre-high wooden apple, a large water and mud area, a trampoline and swings shaped like wooden animals. The wooden apple carries the area’s central motif into a playful context and complements the nature-related experiences with a dedicated place for children.

More destinations for your travel planning

More destinations for your travel planning include Barbian, Brixen, Villanders, Villnöß, Klausen, Mühlbach, Lüsen and Lajen.

For the overarching travel overview: Eisack Valley.