Hiking Liechtenstein

One way to really see Liechtenstein is to hike it. Even though the country is only 160 square kilometers, it has 400 km of excellent hiking trails, 240 in Rhine valley and 160 in the mountains that would satisfy any hiker. From easy strolls in Ruggell Marsh, on the banks of the Rhine and through the northern agricultural towns of Bendern and Ruggell to the summit of the Schönberg 2,600 meters above sea level, Liechtenstein is a paradise for hikers.

All twelve of Liechtenstein’s communities have their own network of walking and hiking routes. In this article we will look at Unterland or Lower Country routes.

A good walk starts at the post office in Nendeln leading by a forest path to the Nedler landslide. Then you can take a narrow mountain path through the forest to the village of Planken. In Schaanwald, you can hike from the post office on Forest Track No. 8 to Paulahutte. Then you can return by an ancient route through thick fir forests to Rubsteg. Both routes take about one to two hours on the average. To visit the prehistoric settlement sites near Eschen, start at the village center and follow the signs to St. Martinsring, Sennereigaassli, Schoenbühl, Boja, Malanser meadow, Malanser, Schneller to Lutzengütle. There you will find information boards telling you all about the sites. You can return to Eschen by way of Aspen and Muessnen. To see the ruins of Castle Schellenberg above Mauren, start at the Parish Church and take the trail through Rennhof and two small stretches of forest. Along the way there is a view of the ruined castle. From Bendern to Rofenberg, you can tread another ancient pathway called the Pilgrim’s Way.

If you are not inclined to too much walking, you can enjoy some leisurely time in the Weiherring, a small park in the center of Mauren. You can cook on the grill in the pavilion or use the boccia court, soccer field, and beach volleyball court while the children play in the playground. Take a short walk on one of the many paths in the five-acre park or explore the medical herb garden.

Between Mauren and Schaanwald there is the “Birka” or Bird Paradise, a bird sanctuary with a biotope pond. It also has a children’s playground. A plague on the road next to the sanctuary indicates the highest level the Rhine River reached in its last disastrous flooding in 1927. Gamprin, Ruggell, Nendeln, Triesen and Balzers all have nature preserves.

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