Liechtenstein Hut Hike: Route 66 Panorama Trail, Mountain Huts & Hiking Adventure

Liechtenstein on foot. I went on a 4-day hut-to-hut hike along the Route 66 Panoramaweg, from the Gafadurahütte to the Pfälzerhütte. Narrow mountain ridges, breathtaking views, and welcoming mountain huts. Not for those afraid of heights, but perfect for experienced hikers seeking adventure in the Alps.

This 4-day hut-to-hut hike of about 45 km across the alpine ridges of the Rätikon shows just how grand this small principality is. A wonderful hike if you love adventure, tranquility, and Slow travel.

Day 1: Sunset at the Gafadura Hut

On a Monday afternoon in August, I meet our guide, Nikolaus Büchel, in the capital, Vaduz. A firm handshake, a friendly smile, and I immediately get the feeling: this is going to be good. A bus winds its way up to the village of Planken, where the trip really begins. The first leg is nothing more than a warm-up for what’s to come.

The trail climbs steadily through a shady forest toward the first alpine meadows. My backpack is still heavy, and my legs are finding their rhythm. After just under 2 hours, the Gafadurahütte comes into view—a cozy refuge at 1,428 meters. Just in time—the sun is sinking behind the ridges, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. With a glass of apple spritzer in hand and the cheerful jingle of cowbells in the distance, this perfect sunset feels like a warm welcome to the mountains.

This former hunting lodge is popular with locals for a hike after work or on the weekend. Hikers and mountain bikers come and go until late in the evening. We crawl into the cozy dormitory with its narrow mattresses, earplugs at the ready. Here, you wash up in an old tub with a garden hose outside in the yard.

Practical Information – Hiking – Gafadurahütte
Distance: 3.5 km | Duration: ±1h45 | Elevation Gain: 510 m | Difficulty: T2 | Route

Day 2: Hut-to-hut hike across the Drei Schwestern and the spectacular Fürstensteig

We’re leaving early the next morning. On the agenda is the highlight of Route 66: the legendary Drei Schwestern and the Fürstensteig. Route 66, also known as the Liechtenstein Panoramaweg.

The sun is beating down mercilessly, and the temperature is climbing to 29 degrees. Sweat is running down my back, my knees are protesting under the heavy backpack filled with extra water, but still, a sense of freedom and happiness prevails. This is T4 terrain—technically challenging, narrow, with ladders and cables that require you to scramble using your hands. Exciting but incredibly rewarding, with no fewer than three mountain peaks in a single stage.

The route takes its name from the folk legend of three headstrong sisters who refused to take their monastic vows and were turned to stone by fate: the Drei Schwestern.

To finish up, we hike the Fürstensteig and immediately get a taste of its reputation. From the striking peaks, we descend through the gray mass of rock to narrow ledges where the rock faces rise steeply and the precipices, right next to the trail, are sheer. The trail winds through the mountain like a nervous little line, sometimes so narrow that I hold my breath.

We arrive at Berggasthaus Matu with empty water bottles. It’s located on the outskirts of town. Matu is known for its regional, organic cuisine featuring homemade dishes and wild herbs. From the panoramic terrace, we enjoy views of the Rhine Valley and the Swiss Alvier mountain range. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a favorite stop for hikers. Here, a shower and a comfortable bed await us—what a luxury after a long day.

Practical Information: Drei Schwestern and Fürstensteig
Distance: 9.5 km | Duration: 5.5 hours | Ascent: 1,050 m | Descent: 1,150 m | Route
Difficulty: Difficult T4 – Alpine terrain, some secured sections, ladders, and cables

Day 3: Hike from Malbun to the Pfälzerhütte via the Fürstin-Gina-Weg

It’s raining lightly on Wednesday morning. Wispy patches of fog dance among the pine trees, and everything seems muted, lending the mountains a mystical quality. Wearing shorts and raincoats, we set out on a long, flat forest trail that will take us to Steg in an hour, where we’ll catch a bus to Malbun, Liechtenstein’s winter sports village.

We take the Sareis lift, thankfully equipped with plastic covers to protect us from the rain. At the top, we’re welcomed at the Sareis mountain restaurant, where we stop for coffee. From here, the hike continues along the Fürstin-Gina-Weg, with panoramic views that keep peeking through the wisps of clouds. The narrow ridge trail winds along steep slopes and requires concentration here and there, but offers fantastic views time and again. In the rain, the details stand out: purple gentians, yellow arnica, the last alpine roses. Black salamanders crawl lazily across the trail; Nicolaus explains that they only come out when it rains. After 2.5 hours, we reach the Pfälzerhütte, which lies sheltered on a saddle at 2,108 meters and offers everything you’d expect from a mountain hut.

After lunch, part of the group continues on to the Naafkopf (2,571 m), the mountain where three countries meet on the border of Liechtenstein, Austria, and Switzerland. Because of my knees, I have to sit this hike out, though I do feel a twinge of regret. All the more reason to return someday!

A Fresh New Energy at the Pfälzerhütte

Since the summer of 2025, the lodge has been run by Stefanie Ritter and Sophia Sandkühler. With their fresh energy, they combine the traditional warmth of the lodge with modern values such as sustainability, regional focus, and openness. Their cuisine features high-quality local products, often with a contemporary twist.

Practical Information: From Malbun via Fürstin-Gina-Weg to Pfälzerhütte
Distance: 4.5 km | Duration: 2–2.5 hours | Elevation gain: 300 m | Difficulty: T3 | Route
Extension to Naafkopf and back: Duration: 1.5 hours | Ascent: approx. 460 m)

Day 4: Descent from the Pfälzerhütte to Steg via Alp Valüna

A short stage awaits us on the last day. Rain had been forecast, but the morning starts out dry and crisp. The trail toward Steg winds gently downhill through alpine meadows dotted with horses and wooded slopes.

At Alp Valüna, we meet the farmer, who is busy with the season’s final production run: robust Alpkäse and the milder Mutschli, both straight from the copper kettle over an open fire. We get to taste aged cheeses paired with a glass of homemade apple cider and learn about the craft.

After this tasty break, we walk the last stretch to Steg. The purple autumn crocus is already blooming along the road—a quiet sign that summer is over, Nicolaus explains. In Steg, we board the bus, which takes us back to Vaduz.

Practical Information: From Pfälzerhütte to Steg
Distance: 8 km | Duration: 2.5 hours | Descent: 800 m | Difficulty: T2

Why a hut-to-hut hike in Liechtenstein is highly recommended

What really strikes me along the way is just how varied this hike actually is. Sometimes you’re walking along a narrow ridge with deep valleys on either side, and other times through peaceful meadows where cows are grazing. And time and again, cozy huts pop up where you can take a short break. It’s not the easiest route, but for anyone with some experience in the mountains, it’s a real treat. It’s also nice that the first and last days are a bit shorter, so you can easily combine them with your trip there and back.

Huts along the way (always book in advance)
Gafadurahütte: classic and cozy.
Berggasthaus Matu: welcoming, with regional, organic cuisine.
Pfälzerhütte: high-altitude, rugged, and sustainable, with spectacular views.

*50% discount with NKBV membership

Cabin Etiquette

• Always have one person from the group go to the lodge manager to ask about availability; the rest of the group should wait outside.
• Always take off your shoes at the entrance; wear your own slippers or the ones provided.
• First, store your wet clothes, shoes, and poles in the drying room or the designated area.
• Keep your sleeping area tidy and don’t leave things lying around in the dorm.
• Please respect the nighttime quiet hours—usually starting at 10:00 p.m.

Equipment

• Sturdy hiking boots with tread.
• Walking poles can quickly save you 10% of the energy your legs would otherwise use.
• Rain gear and a warm layer, a hat, and gloves—the weather can change quickly
• Water bottle/bag for 1.5–2 liters of water.
• Packed lunches from the cabins.

Essential items to bring

• Emergency blanket for safety in unexpected situations
• First-aid kit with blister bandages, pain relievers, and athletic tape
• Headlamp. Handy for an early start or a dark trail at sunrise
• Sheet or sleeping bag (hiking sleeping bag required) for hygiene and comfort
• Duct tape. Always handy for quick repairs on the go
• Earplugs. Cabins are often noisy (you may also want to bring a sleep mask).
• Power bank for a phone, watch, or GPS
• Nuts or energy bars for the hike between cabins
• Cash for lodging and meals (debit cards are often not accepted)

A guide for those who want to learn more

You don’t have to explore Liechtenstein on your own; guides like Nikolaus Büchel or Rosaria Michaela Ackermann know the mountains like no one else. They’ll guide you safely, personally, and with passion along the trails—and share stories that would otherwise remain hidden.

Read more about hiking in Laax, Switzerland.

Getting to Vaduz

Vaduz is accessible by train via Sargans or Feldkirch, followed by a bus ride. Public transportation in Liechtenstein is efficient and connects well with the hut-to-hut hike.

Liechtenstein Hiking Trail on the Map