In order to deposit semipolar GaN layers on foreign substrates while still starting the growth along the c-direction, we have etched trenches into r-plane and n-plane sapphire wafers. The GaN MOVPE growth then starts from c-plane-like sidewalls of these trenches, eventually leading to semipolar {1122} and {1011} surfaces with very good properties. GaInN quantum wells grown on such surfaces show very uniform properties on {1011} surfaces, but still reflect the stripe geometry on {1122} surfaces by a slightly larger In uptake at the stripe coalescence regions