Unlike other suggestions in this walking guide, this leisurely stroll takes us through the peaceful outskirts of the spa town of Merano. The sunny circular route begins in Gratsch and initially leads along a shaded tree-lined avenue towards the town centre, before finally winding its way back to Martinsbrunn through apple orchards and vineyards. The well-known private clinic is surrounded by a beautiful park, in which a sound garden featuring classical music has been created. The entire circular route is illuminated in the evening.

Reachability

From Bolzano, take the MeBo expressway to Merano. Near the station, turn onto Laurinstraße towards Gratsch/St. Peter and continue to the Martinsbrunn Private Clinic, where there is a pay-and-display car park with two reserved spaces for people with disabilities (Martinsbrunn bus stop on the city’s bus route 3).

Description

From the car park of the Martinsbrunn Private Clinic (333 m), we walk down the pavement of the adjacent Laurinstraße. Passing the Köstbamerhof and the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, we reach the junction with Karl-Wolf-Straße and turn left there. As Europe’s longest avenue of lime trees, Karl-Wolf-Straße leads us to the large school complex in Merano. We now continue straight on to St. Franziskus-Straße, where we turn left again to reach Verdistraße. We follow Verdistraße to the left, heading out of town. Passing numerous villas and hotels, we soon reach the extensive apple orchards at the bottom of the valley. With a magnificent view of the Vinschgau Valley opening up before us, the quiet local road leads us to the Hotel Villa Tivoli, built in late Art Nouveau style with extensive grounds. After a steep climb with a gradient of 10%, the tarmac road ends and, following the track made of compacted earth and gravel, we pass a small chapel and arrive at Martinsbrunn Farm. Behind the small farmstead is a gate leading to the Martinsbrunn Sound Garden. This beautiful park, with its ancient trees, is open to all visitors and offers the special feature of classical music played over loudspeakers twice a day (10.00–11.30 am and 3.30–4.30 pm). Throughout the summer, the Sound Garden also hosts popular concerts, exhibitions and readings. We return to our starting point along the well-maintained paths through the park. The walk can, of course, also be done in the opposite direction.