Already the drive to the starting point of our hike is something special: coming from Merano south, we pass the Botanic Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and branch off to the right. A small mountain road leads us uphill, passing some beautiful apple orchards and leading to Castel Gatto (Schloss Katzenstein) where it crosses the main road again. We continue along this street following the signpost "Castel Fragsburg". Near the castle there's a parking space with an information board and hiking map.

We start our hike with two children (3 and 1 years old), the toddler is carried in the carry-rucksack. We enjoy the view on the apple orchards, red currants grow on our left side. At the next right turn of the road we enter the wide hiking path. It leads slightly uphill, the murmur of the brook accompanies our hike. Oh wait, it's the waterfall! The path proceeds along rock faces and on the edge of a mixed forest for 30 minutes. Then we've reached our destination: the Fragsburg Waterfall.

It represents South Tyrol's highest waterfall (in free fall), the water plunges in a 135-metre high waterfall into the gorge. The impressive rock faces consist of porphyry rock. A wooden bench invites to stop and enjoy the natural spectacle, the access to the close surroundings of the waterfall, however, is closed for safety reasons. We're a bit disappointed but the bench is in the shadow so we have a picnic and take some beautiful photos as lasting memories. Finally we follow the same trail back to the parking space.

Please note: if you do this hike during summer months, don't forget to bring along enough water, sun screen and a sun hat!

---

Author: MS