The Prader Sand, a vast unspoilt area with lush vegetation, is the sandy river delta of the Suldenbach. This circular walk leads through the forest garden to the large fish ponds near the Adige. After the walk, it is well worth visiting the Aquaprad National Park Centre in the centre of Prad, where you can marvel at a wide variety of native fish.

Reachability

From Bolzano, take the MeBo motorway to Merano and continue towards the Reschen Pass through the Vinschgau Valley to Spondinig. Here, turn left towards the Stelvio Pass and drive to Prad am Stilfserjoch, where you can park in the car park by the swimming pool/sports ground (bus stop by the Prad secondary school).

Description

Crossing the large car park (910 m), we follow the small tarmac access road to the Hotel Garden Park. Walking alongside the high wooden fence of the Kiefernhain campsite, we reach a wooden footbridge over a small stream and turn right into the adjacent Prad Forest Garden (trail marker no. 10). From here, the hike takes us along a beautiful nature trail through a picturesque pine forest with ancient water channels. In past centuries, these water channels were indispensable for irrigating meadows and fields and were used for timber flushing and to power grain mills and sawmills. Cosy rest areas with small play stations and informative display boards enhance the educational forest garden. We cross the forest on firm forest ground with a few protruding roots and a gravel surface, eventually reaching the adjacent main road. Continuing along the well-marked hiking trail no. 10, we come to a junction (886 m). The path on the left leads us directly to the fish pond, but includes a wooden barrier that is not accessible to people with mobility impairments and an extremely steep ramp, which is why we turn right at this point and walk along the small forest path to the forest road (cycle path). Here we turn left and follow the wide track with a firm natural surface, which leads us to the car park of the Fischerstube by the fish ponds (884 m). The cosy Fischerstube offers opportunities for recreational fishing. We return along the same route to the last junction, but this time stay on the wide cycle path, which takes us across the extensive Prader Sand back to our starting point.