Wine and Water Walk (Spazierweg Wein und Wasser) in Rasa/Raas

The Wine and Water Walk, which is actually a short hike, passes through an ancient cultural landscape of attractive terraced vineyards, and past centuries-old farmsteads to Neustift Monastery (Kloster Neustift) and the Vahrner See lake. The monastery is not only a collection of extremely beautiful buildings, but also has an excellent wine cellar, while the small lake has for decades been a protected habitat for fauna and flora.{MQ}From Rasa, the hike goes along trail no. 4 down through the vineyards, past the Strasserhof farm and on to Neustift Monastery (refreshments available). Be sure not to miss a tour of the monastery, while a visit to the church - and its magnificent Rococo decoration - is a truly memorable experience.{MQ}Cross the valley floor on trail no. 9 until you come to the village of Varna/Vahrn (refreshments available) on the other side. Here you walk a short way alongside the babbling Schalderer Bach stream until you come to the Kneipp pool – a great opportunity to cool down your hot feet – before continuing on the Chestnut Trail (Keschtnweg no. 1) along an easy forest road to the Vahrner See lake (refreshments available). After completing a circuit of the lake you return towards Varna on trail no. 1. Go under the motorway and continue on trail no. 1 down to the Eisack river. After the bridge, go left for about 100 m and then turn right onto the Törggelesteig trail no. 8A. Follow this up towards Rasa, then just before the village take trail no. 7 past the Steinraffler restaurant (refreshments available) and finally turn onto trail no. 4 back to your starting point.{MQ}As the name of the Wine and Water Walk suggests, there are ample opportunities for refreshment along the way. The fresh, aromatic Valle Isarco/Eisacktal valley white wines are highly recommended - definitely worth a trying a glass if you stop by.