Vernagt reservoir - emerald green jewel in the Schnals

• Location: Schnalstal Valley, South Tyrol - above Naturns in the Meran region
• Altitude above sea level: approx. 1,689 m
• Surface: approx. 100 ha
• Creation: Artificially created reservoir in the 1950s, which flooded eight farms
• Special feature: Visible when the water level is low in spring - the old church tower of the sunken village
• Colour: Emerald green - particularly intense depending on the light
• Popular activities: Hiking, walking, photography, fishing (with licence)
• Accessibility: Directly accessible by car or bus
• Film set: Served several times as an atmospheric backdrop for TV and documentary films about South Tyrol, e.g. for the feature film “Das finstere Tal”
• Italian name: Lago di Vernago

At the Vernagt reservoir, idyllic hiking trails, especially the family-friendly circular trail, invite you to enjoy relaxed tours with a wonderful view of the emerald green water and the glaciers of the Schnalstal Valley. Those looking for a little more action can let off steam in the nearby Ötzi Rope Park in the high ropes course or, if the conditions are right, fish and take photos on the lakeshore.

Leisurely routes, alpine tours & long-distance hiking

There are plenty of beautiful hiking trails around Lake Vernagt: from family-friendly circular hikes around the lake to challenging alpine tours into the glacier area. One route around the lake is particularly attractive, as it leads past listed farms such as the Finailhof and the Tisenhof. The Finailhof was the highest grain farm in Europe until 1967 and the Tisenhof was mentioned in documents as early as 1306. Both farms are farm taverns.

The A2 archaeological hiking trail also passes the Tisenhof and leads from the Vernagt reservoir up to the Similaun hut and on to the site where the famous glacier mummy Ötzi was found on the Tisenjoch. The end point of this challenging tour for experienced mountaineers is the village of Vent near Sölden in North Tyrol.

Vernagt reservoir circuit

The circuit around the reservoir is an easy hiking trail with wonderful views of the emerald green water and the surrounding mountain landscape of the Schnalstal Valley. The well-marked circular trail is around 7 kilometres long and almost flat, making it ideal for families, walkers and amateur photographers. You should plan around 2 hours walking time for the entire route. The difference in altitude is only about 100 metres, so the tour is also suitable for children. The two pedestrian suspension bridges are a highlight.

A special experience is the sheep drive in Schnalstal Valley – the so-called transhumance: for centuries, sheep have been driven from Vernagt and Kurzras over the main Alpine ridge to the Alpine pastures in Ötztal in mid-June. When thousands of sheep return home in autumn, this is celebrated with a big festival.

Winter sports & winter hikes

In winter, the Vernagt reservoir shows its quiet, fairytale side. The snow-covered landscape is perfect for winter hikes and snowshoe tours - popular destinations include the Finailhof and Raffeinhof farms. Nearby, the Schnalstal Glacier ski area offers opportunities for skiing, ski touring and tobogganing. Ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy nature and tranquillity in winter.