Gravel and sand were mined decades ago. Today the quarry ponds in Rankweil are completely natural in the landscape.
Today we go for a relaxed walk or jog between Meiningen and Rankweil. That’s where the Paspels lakes are, which are popular bathing spots in summer. Various paths lead around the water bodies. This also makes it a worthwhile destination outside of the bathing season. What began decades ago with the industrial quarrying of gravel and sand is now a local recreation area in the middle of the Paspels industrial area, which borders on Gisingen, Meiningen and the Brederiser Wiesen. The company Kunert, Hirschmann Automotive and several small companies are still represented there today. From there, take Tannenfeldstraße and approach the western outskirts. Then you have the option of turning right onto Riegelweg and then onto Paspelsweg and following this until you reach the Auwald. From the signpost for Sinderstall, the path leads past one of the Paspels quarry ponds at the edge of the forest. Or you turn left off Tannenfeldstraße, pass the Tannenfeld Güfel playground and follow the street to the dog sports field. There, turn right onto Sindersweg and finally turn left past the Wilhelm + Mayer gravel works until you reach Unteren Paspelsweg. Now you can circumnavigate the lakes on various paths. Around 20 hectares of lake surface have been created in the area by gravel dredging – hence the name “dredge holes”. The groundwater in gravel pools is used for swimming and fishing and is of good quality. In recent years, the municipality of Rankweil has installed sanitary facilities, a playground and a bathing and life raft. Now in November, the large lawn is deserted, only a few ducks are dozing on the shore. A single swan majestically makes its rounds on the water. The animals seem to really enjoy the rest after the summer. Mute swans are among the greats of the local bird world. An adult specimen can reach a body length of up to 160 centimeters and a wingspan of 240 centimeters. At up to 14 kilos, the mute swan is also one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. They feed mainly on aquatic plants and the small animals attached to them, such as snails, mussels or water lice. Incidentally, the name mute swan derives from the small black hump that the animals have on their beak. While Central European birds usually spend the winter in their ancestral territory, swans migrate from the northern edge of the European area (e.g. from Scandinavia) to the south during the cold season. Beavers also feel at home around bodies of water. Not only ducks but also other water-loving animals seem to feel at home in the area of the Paspels lakes. For example, gnawed tree trunks and pieces of wood can be found near the shore, which indicate the presence of beavers. They are among the so-called semi-aquatic mammals, which means that their habitat is flowing and standing water and their shore areas. The European beaver originally lived in large parts of Europe and Asia, but has been wiped out in many places due to intensive hunting. The rodents are now under special protection. The gnawing or felling of trees and the damming of water bodies by their structures repeatedly lead to conflicts with human interests. To defuse this, some states, including Vorarlberg, rely on targeted beaver management. Type: relaxed walk or generous jog Duration: approx. one and a half hours Starting point: Güfel angler’s paradise in Meiningen (small car park in Tannfenfeldgasse) Equipment: running shoes, the weather Appropriate clothing Rest stops: available in Rankweil Public transport: Bus line 61 or 425 (three-digit line numbers from December 11) from Meiningen to Brederis Unterer PaspelswegIf you want to extend the walk after circumnavigating the lake, you can cross the road at the height of the “Hilti Loch”. and follow the dirt road (Glöckler) to St. Anna Church in Brederis. You always have a beautiful view of the Rätikon and the Swiss mountains. The various routes are well signposted. You then return to the starting point on the same paths.
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