The Triesenberg Walser dialect belongs to the High Alemannic language group. The language reveals one aspect of Walser heritage, which is also brought to life historically at the Walser Museum: it documents the culture and history of the Valais immigrants who settled in Triesenberg in the 13th century.
Walser Culture and Built Heritage
The Walser Museum exhibition features tools from farming, forestry and livestock farming, as well as from local crafts. This brings together different aspects of everyday and working life in the past. The Walser Legends Trail offers a different perspective: this circular trail begins and ends at the Walser Museum and passes through a cultural landscape dotted with numerous historical remnants.
Just 200 metres from the Walser Museum stands the Walserhaus im Hag, a classic timber-framed house around 400 years old. It can only be reached on foot. A guided tour of the house introduces visitors to 19th-century domestic life; tour arrangements may vary. Prufatscheng is also home to a listed residence whose core structure and west façade were dated dendrochronologically to 1547/48.
Sacred buildings also tell different chapters of the village’s history. The Catholic Chapel of St. Wendelin and St. Martin is located in the Maiensäss of Steg, in the municipality and parish of Triesenberg, at an altitude of 1,316 metres above sea level. Egon Rheinberger renovated and remodelled it in 1906–1907. The Peace Chapel is dedicated to Mary and Brother Klaus, in gratitude for Liechtenstein having been spared the Second World War.
Trails and Views
The Triesenberg Philosopher’s Trail begins in Rizlina and runs via Gnalp to Masescha, then continues through Vorder-Prufatscheng and Hinter-Prufatscheng. It leads to the 2,222-metre-high Rappenstein. From there, you can see the Liechtenstein Alps and the Alpstein; on a clear day, Lake Constance is also visible. The sequence of named places and the viewpoint give the trail a clear route, without requiring you to follow a fixed circular walk.
Malbun has a selection of walking and hiking trails suitable for pushchairs. Check trail conditions before your visit. For family outings, two all-terrain wheelchairs can be rented there; confirm their availability before travelling. The Malbun Explorer Trail takes around two hours. A suitable explorer backpack is available from the Malbun Center for a deposit; this arrangement may change.
Winter Activities and Experiences
In Steg, a prepared natural toboggan run stretches for one kilometre from the Sücka mountain inn to the car parks. The Turna–Malbun sledging route also offers an experience of around one kilometre, but requires an easy uphill walk. Both routes are therefore similar in length for planning purposes, but differ in their course and the uphill section described. Both are seasonal winter activities.
At the entrance to Malbun, the seasonal Schlucher-Treff ice rink offers ice skating, curling and ice hockey. Cross-country skiing is available at the Steg-ValĂĽna Cross-Country Ski Centre: at an altitude of 1,300 metres, there are 15 kilometres of groomed trails. Trail grooming is seasonal. The ice tower is open year-round for independent climbers with their own climbing equipment and can be used without booking in advance. As operating details can change, check the latest access information beforehand.
There are also various ways to enjoy the outdoors beyond winter. Numerous mountain bike trails lead from the valley region to Malbun, which is also a starting point for further trails. Conditions on individual trails may change. From Sareis towards the village of Malbun, Galina Falconry offers the experience of seeing a golden eagle in free flight. Availability depends on the local operator.
Getting Around Between Vaduz and Malbun
Route 21 connects Vaduz and Malbun year-round and serves all stops along its route. As timetables can change, check the service for your visit. The Sareis chairlift takes visitors from the village of Malbun uphill in just a few minutes and serves as a starting point for a day of hiking. Its operating hours are seasonal. The transport options therefore depend on your plans: the bus connects the two villages, while the cable car takes you up to Sareis.
Discover more destinations: Triesenberg, Ruggell, Eschen, Vaduz, Triesen, Gamprin.
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