The Mountains of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is two thirds mountainous situated in the middle of the European Alps. The other third is in the low-lying Rhine River Valley in the western part of the Principality. The mountainous two thirds is generally known as the Oberland, or Upper Country. It roughly corresponds with the historical County of Vaduz.

The Liechtenstein Alps running south-northwards form the foothills of the Rätikon Mountains. The Drei Schwestern (Three Sisters) mountains cradle the Underland or Lowland of Liechtenstein. The Eschnerberg, a series of seven hills with a height of 739 m lies in the Rhine valley in the north of Liechtenstein separate like an island from the main mountains. Three valleys lie high up in the mountains, the Samina, Malbun and Lawenatal valleys. The remote and beautiful Lawenatal Valley is embraced by the Schwarzhorn, Grauspitz and Falknis peaks.

Starting in the north is the Frastanzersand (5358 feet) followed by the Sajora (5443 feet), the Drei Schwestern (6733 feet), the Garsellikopf (6907 feet), Kuhgrat (6966 feet), the Gafleispitz (6562 feet), the Furstensteig (6119 feet) and the Alpspitz (4735 feet). The Galinakopf (7212 feet), the Ochsenkopf (7500 feet), the Austenberg (7740 feet), the Pfalzerhutte Bettlerjoch (8432 feet) just over border in Austria and the Naafkopt (8432 feet) form the eastern most ridge above the Samina Valley. At the southern end lie the Grauspitz (8527 feet), the Plassteikopf (7730 feet), the Rappenstein (7287 feet), the Falknis (8400 feet) and the Mittagspitz (6119 feet).

The Grauspitz is actually a double peak, Hintergrauspitz (2574m) and the Vorderesgrauspitz (2599m). They lie on a 2.5-km long ridge that extends from the Naafkopf (2570m) up to the Falknis (2564m). These mountains drop steeply to the Rhine Valley.

Winding but well maintained highways and hiking trails lead from Triesenberg to the alpine resorts of Masescha, Silum, Gaflei, Steg and Malbun (5,250 ft./1,575m), and (4,600 ft./1,380m). The half-mile-long Gnalp-Steg tunnel connects the lowlands with high mountain valley of Malbun.

The country experiences extremes of elevation all in a very short distance. Ruggeller Riet is the lowest point: at 430 m, while the Grauspitz at 2,599 m is highest point. Even though is lies in an alpine area, Liechtenstein has a relatively mild climate mainly to the south winds. In winter the mountain slopes get a lot of snow and are excellent for skiing.

The whole mountain area is a land of steep winding well maintained roads with sharp bends, woodlands, mountain trails, alpine meadows bedecked in flowers, farmland, and pasture with cows grazing. From above the village of Planken you get a panoramic view of the Rhine Valley and the Swiss Mountains extending from Pizol to Lake Constance. Other views look out over the south of Liechtenstein towards Blazers.

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