Triesenberg in winter: cross-country skiing, sledding and Walser culture

Winter activities in Steg and Malbun

The Steg-Valüna cross-country skiing centre is located at an altitude of 1,300 metres and offers 15 kilometres of groomed trails. This provides cross-country skiers with a clearly defined range of options. Another winter option is the 1-kilometre-long, prepared natural toboggan run in Steg. It leads from the Sücka mountain restaurant to the car parks. The Turna–Malbun sledding route also offers an approximately 1-kilometre-long sledding experience with an easy ascent.

At the entrance to Malbun is the Schlucher-Treff ice rink. Ice skating, curling and ice hockey are possible there. The ice tower is intended for independent climbers with their own climbing equipment; it is open year-round and can be used without prior registration.

The Sareis chairlift takes visitors up from the village of Malbun in just a few minutes and serves as a starting point for a day of hiking. Another experience leads from Sareis towards the village of Malbun: at the Galina falconry centre, a golden eagle follows in free flight. Combining a mountain ride, hiking plans and a nature experience with a bird of prey opens up various possibilities for a day in Malbun without turning it into a single, uniform sports programme.

Trails, excursions and practical orientation

For travel between the valley and Malbun, route 21 connects Vaduz and Malbun year-round. All stops along the route are served. Malbun also offers a selection of walking and hiking trails suitable for pushchairs.

The Malbun Explorer Trail takes around two hours. A suitable explorer backpack is available at the Malbun Center for a refundable deposit. For excursions with the whole family, two all-terrain wheelchairs can also be rented in Malbun. Both offers expand the possibilities for a shared stay, but have different focuses: the Explorer Trail is an experience with a defined duration, while the wheelchairs are intended for excursions with several family members.

The Triesenberg Philosophers’ Trail begins in Rizlina and leads via Gnalp to Masescha, continuing through Vorder-Prufatscheng and Hinter-Prufatscheng. The trail leads to the 2,222-metre-high Rappenstein. From there, you can see the Liechtenstein Alps, the Alpstein and, in good visibility, Lake Constance.

There are also numerous trails for mountain bikers: they lead from the valley region to Malbun and from Malbun into the surrounding area.

Walser culture and historic houses

The Walser dialect of Triesenberg belongs to the High Alemannic language group. The Walser Museum documents the culture and history of the Valais immigrants who settled in Triesenberg in the 13th century. The exhibition includes equipment used in agriculture, forestry and livestock farming, as well as in village crafts. The museum thus provides linguistic, historical and everyday-life perspectives on the local Walser culture.

The WalserSagenWeg begins and ends at the Walser Museum. As a circular trail, it leads through a unique cultural landscape with numerous historic remains. For planning purposes, this return to the starting point is a clear distinction from trails that lead from one place to another. The WalserSagenWeg also combines physical activity with the cultural and historical traces found along the route.

The Walser House in Hag is 200 metres from the Walser Museum and can only be reached on foot. The approximately 400-year-old building is a classic timber-frame house. A guided tour of the Walser House presents the residential culture of the 19th century. The short distance to the museum and the fact that it can only be accessed on foot are just as relevant for orientation as the house’s great age and construction style.

Another historic residential building in Prufatscheng is a listed monument. Its core structure and western façade have been dendrochronologically dated to 1547/48. St. Wendelin and Martin Chapel is also located in Steg. It is a Catholic chapel in the Maiensäss of Steg, in the municipality and parish of Triesenberg, and stands at an elevation of 1,316 metres above sea level. Egon Rheinberger renovated and remodelled it in 1906–1907.

The Chapel of Peace is dedicated to Mary and Brother Klaus. Its dedication commemorates the fact that Liechtenstein was spared the Second World War. Together with the Walser House, the listed residential building in Prufatscheng and St. Wendelin and Martin Chapel, it forms a historical focus that clearly differs from the sporting activities in Steg and Malbun.

Triesenberg therefore offers several clear focal points for your stay: groomed cross-country ski trails and prepared sledding facilities, trails with varying levels of difficulty, family-oriented excursion options, as well as Walser culture and historic buildings. By taking these differences into account when planning each day, you can deliberately combine sporting activities, nature experiences and sightseeing.

For the general travel overview: Liechtenstein.

More destinations

More places in the same destination:

Municipality of Triesen, Municipality of Eschen, Municipality of Vaduz, Gamprin, Municipality of Ruggell.