A giant chestnut burr past the sports ground in Foiana, locally known as a "Keschtnigel", marks the start of the Chestnut Experience Trail. To get there, we follow the Via Propst Wieser road through the village - just past the Weinreich Farm, we can already spot the sculpture.

The information boards describe the traditionally managed chestnut groves of Foiana, the sweet chestnuts themselves and their growth process. Altogether we come across ten stations, some of which are interactive. The Forestry Department of the Province of Bolzano has been looking after the protection and preservation of the sweet chestnut for years, which ultimately led to the idea for this experience trail, called Südtiroler Kastanien-Erlebnisweg in German.

Its purpose is to familiarise everyone with this delicious fruit. The trail was created some time ago through a collaboration between the Merano Forestry Inspectorate and the municipality of Lana. The route stretches for a total of two and a half kilometres through the chestnut groves of the Merano region before we head back along the same path. The walk takes an hour and a half.

Incidentally, in autumn the local area is perfect for Toerggelen, a traditional South Tyrolean culinary custom. The crowning finale of such a meal is roasted chestnuts with butter and sweet Krapfen with a chestnut filling. Various events also take place, including the Keschtnriggl Chestnut Festival, where everything revolves around the sweet chestnut each October.

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Author: AT

Experienced: November 2011
Last updated: 2026

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