1. Background/History

The German word ‘Waal’ means a man-made watering channel, that is used to bring water to far away agricultural pieces of land. This water comes from a creek, or sometimes very rarely from a lake.

In the old days, these channels were built frequently in Tyrol in Austria and in South-Tyrol in Italy. Especially near Vinschgau in South-Tyrol in Italy, the amount of rainfall is very minor.

The agriculture at the Sonnenberg near Schlanders is especially depending on artificially created watering systems. For this reason, in this area arose one of the most extensive watering systems in the Alps (almost 600 km).

On the ridge of the downward dam, a steep track was build, which was previously only used by for maintenance personnel. When tourism started to rise and guests started walking the mountains, in many places they used these steep tracks next to channels.

The irrigation channel Köfler Jochwaal is situated in the Fundustal valley, above of Umhausen in the Oetztal valley. It is considered one of the highest and oldest irrigation channels in Tyrol. The Köfler Jochwaal was build already in the 15^th century and used the water of the glacier Ploderferner to irrigate the grasslands around Köfels.

In 1860, the channel was abandoned and in 2005 it was repaired and used again. Nowadays, the trail along the channel (in German: Waalweg) is a popular, high alpine hiking destination for both local people and tourists.

2. The hiking trail

The trail starts in the village Köfels and leads via the Waalweg to the Frischmann hütte and via the Fundustal valley back to the starting point. On the way are plenty of options to enjoy the scenery or take a break at a mountain top or in the huts situated along the trail.

2.1 Starting point

The trail starts at the parking lot in Köfels, day ticket € 5,00.

By car: From Wenns, drive out of the Pitztal valley through Arzl to Imst. Take the B171 to Roppen, before Oetztal Bahnhof take the B186 into the Oetztal valley. After Umhausen, turn right  to Köfels. Before the village, on the left is the parking lot. Total driving time 37 minutes.

By public transport: There is a bus connection from Wenns to Imst (Imst Langgasse/Hofer). After 30 minutes you can take the bus to Obergurgl in the Oetztal, to the bus stop at the road to the right to Köfels. From here, it takes almost an hour to get to the parking lot, the start of the hiking trail. So the total time is 2,30 hours.

2.2 Turn-by-turn directions

From the parking lot, follow the road up to the small mountain village Köfels. Just after the Jausenstation Edelweiβ turn left to the edge of the forest. Before the wood storage turn right, follow the yellow signposts road number 915 over an unpaved road up to a turn to the right above a fenced mountain meadow.

Jausenstation Edelweiß
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Wood storage
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Straight up over a former snow slope till its end. From now on follow the steep serpentine trail, once cross the driveway, then the trail rises to the mountain Schartle (at a height of 2084 meters).

Pass the yellow signpost (junction to the mountain Wenderkogl), from here you can enjoy the panoramic view into the Fundustal valley.

The Fundustal valley
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The Köfler Waalweg
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Now you see the Köfler Waalweg, which mostly carries water in June and July, and you descend into the valley. You cross the creek Fundusbach, which flows from the glacier Ploderferner to the lake Fundussee.

The creek Fundusbach
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Now the trail rises along steep slopes north of the mountain Blockkogel to the Frischmann hütte (at a height of 2192 m).

The Frischmannhütte
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Follow the driveaway down to the lake Fundussee and the Hinteren Fundusalm (at a height of 1964 meters).

The Fundustal valley
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After the little chapel follow the narrow mountain path up to the mountain Schartle and on the already known ascent path back to the parking lot in Köfels.

Hintere Fundusalm
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The chapel
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2.3 Duration

The total length of this round trip is 11,6 km. For people used to heights it takes 3,5 hours from Kofels to the Frischmannhütte, and from there back to Kofels it takes 2,5 hours. When enjoying the scenery more relaxed, taking photos or stop for a restaurant break at the huts, it will take around 7 hours.

2.4 Another trail

It is also possbile to start the trail in Umhausen, it takes two hours to walk along the wide forest path into the Fundustal valley. The GPX in this trail is the other way around than the trail described above. Or you can make a reservation (through advanced booking) via Taxi Scharfetter, the minibus drives form Umhausen to the Fundustal valley (driving time 30 minutes, you win 9 km.). There is a parking lot next to the bus stop.

3. Recommended maps for this region:

Kompass Karte Nr. 43 Ötztaler Alpen

4. Photos

ACTION: UPLOAD PHOTOS

5. Useful links

https://www.almenrausch.at/touren/suchergebnisse/tourdetails/tour/frischmann-huette-2192-m-von-koefels3324.html

https://www.bergfex.at/sommer/tirol/touren/wanderung/41599,waalweg-fundustal–umhausen-niederthai/