Walderlebnispfad Aschbach Adventure Trail near Rabland

The Walderlebnispfad Aschbach adventure trail is a great family hike near Merano, with interactive stations where kids can learn about the forest as they explore. Along the way, you’ll enjoy lovely views over the surrounding mountains, and there’s a restaurant with a playground at the end of the walk. The entire route is suitable for strollers.

Take the Cable Car to Aschbach

The small mountain village of Aschbach sits at 1,360 metres above sea level, overlooking Rabland, and belongs to the municipality of Algund (Lagundo).
The easiest way to get there is by cable car. It operates year-round, with departures approximately every 15 minutes, and tickets are required. There’s also a lovely playground right next to the parking area at the valley station.

Once you reach the top, follow the signs for the Walderlebnispfad adventure trail. You can walk the loop in either direction, but I’d recommend turning left. This way, you’ll start with a gentle uphill section.

Exploring the Forest

What kinds of trees grow here? What do different types of wood sound like? Which animals and plants live in the forest, and why is it so important to protect them?
Along the trail, kids can explore these questions through a series of interactive stations. One of our favourites was the forest xylophone, where children can make music using different pieces of wood. And while the kids are busy exploring, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the views over the Merano area.

This family hike is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the leaves change colour. Just keep in mind that much of the trail is shaded at this time of year, so bring some warm layers! You’ll only reach the sunnier sections towards the end of the walk.

An Easy Circular Hike

Allow a little over an hour of actual walking time for the full Walderlebnispfad Aschbach adventure trail, not including stops at the activity stations.
If you’d prefer a shorter walk, you can take a shortcut after the large panoramic bench. Instead of continuing along the adventure trail, turn right onto the forest road, which leads directly back to Aschbach (around 30 minutes of walking time in total).

Food and a Playground at Aschbacherhof

Whichever route you choose, you’ll pass the Aschbacherhof at the end of your hike. It’s a great place to stop for a meal, with a sunny terrace, beautiful mountain views, a playground and really good food.

I’d especially recommend checking out the cake selection. And trust me, the slices are anything but small! 😉

Aschbacherhof is usually open from Easter until the end of October.