Trailrunning, most beautiful running trails in the Principality of Liechtenstein — Trailrunning Liechtenstein, section between Sareis and Augstenberg | © Photo: Paedii Luchs, Liechtenstein Marketing

Vacation in the Principality of Liechtenstein
Aeulestrasse 30
9490 Vaduz

Trailrunning guide Michael Lenz went to the mountainous area of the Principality of Liechtenstein to track down the most beautiful trailrunning routes in the country.

While classic values such as distance, running speed or pulse rate are often the focus when running on the road or during daily training, the running experience as such is what counts when trail running. The route is not everyday and the surfaces change constantly, sometimes you run on stones, sometimes on grass, sometimes over roots, in between it goes uphill and downhill. Body and mind are equally awake and challenged and you let the environment affect you with all your senses.

Particularly in athletic mountain running, one likes to alternate between running and walking on steep inclines. And as the saying goes: the way is the goal.

Michael Lenz is a certified ASTA trail running guide and grew up in the mountains. He loves to share his passion for trail running with others and has tested some of the most beautiful trail running routes in the Liechtenstein mountain area. "Although the Principality of Liechtenstein is a small country, it offers an incredible number of facets of trail running."

BORDER EXPERIENCE WITH SUMMIT EXPERIENCE
With 1,000 vertical meters over 14 km, this is a crisp trail run for mountain goats. The ridge of Sareis along the border to Austria rewards with breathtaking views. The starting point is directly at the bus stop Jöraboda in front of the Malbun Center. After a short steep climb, the trail turns right and continues to climb to the Sareis mountain station. Now follow the signpost towards Pfälzerhütte on the path along the ridge. After the Augstenberg you descend directly down to the Pfälzerhütte, where the path points sharply right back towards Täli / Malbun. From Vaduzer Täli you stay on the Liechtensteiner Höhenweg to make a detour to Alpe Pradamee. From there it goes directly back to the starting point in Malbun.

Tip from Michael Lenz
Warm up well before the trail, or start slowly, as the route climbs directly from the start. Take a break at the Pfälzerhütte with breathtaking views of the Samina Valley, Switzerland and Austria.

Trailrunning in Malbun | © Photo: Paedii Luchs, Liechtenstein Marketing
Evening atmosphere in the Liechtenstein mountains, Trailrunning Liechtenstein | © Photo: Paedii Luchs, Liechtenstein Marketing

TECHNICAL GRAT WITH UNIQUE VIEW INTO THE RHINE VALLEY
Perspectives of a special kind are offered by this technically challenging trail run along the ridge parallel to the Rhine Valley. The downhill brings back memories of Canada. The starting point is at the bus stop / parking lot directly after the tunnel before Steg. Cross the stream and follow the road for a short distance before the trail diverges to the left and climbs steeply. At the Sücke mountain inn, follow the road for a short distance until you almost reach the ridge, where the hiking trail changes direction before the tunnel and crosses the cow pasture. Stay on the ridge path, which climbs over the "Chrüppel" and "Kolme" partly very steeply through the forest, until you leave the forest line behind you and reach the highest point of the tour with the "Goldlochspitz". Optionally, you can add the Rappenstein here, or descend via the Obersäss and Waldboda to the Valünabach. The downhill is not very steep and follows the gravel road, which leads you quickly back to Steg via Valüna. Arrived at Seeli you can turn right into the village or walk straight back to the parking lot.

Tip from Michael Lenz
Warm up well before the trail, or start slowly, as the route climbs steeply right from the start. At the end of the trail, treat yourself to refreshments at the Seeblick restaurant.

Shortly after Heubüal, Trailrunning Liechtenstein | © Photo: Michael Lenz, Liechtenstein Marketing
View of the Rhine Valley, Trailrunning Liechtenstein | © Photo: Michael Lenz, Liechtenstein Marketing

SCHÖNBERG CIRCUMNAVIGATION FOR BEGINNERS
An easy trail run for beginners around the Schönberg. The route runs mainly on wide, well-maintained hiking trails and gravel roads.The starting point is directly at the bus stop Jöraboda in front of the Malbun Center. After a short ascent, the hiking trail turns left. Now follow the signpost in the direction of Sassförkle. Arrived at Sassförkle, turn left after the ridge into the path to Alp Guschg. Arrived at the alp, follow the gravel road for a few hundred meters until, after a short climb, the hiking trail branches off to the left. This beautiful single trail brings you to Güschglehötta, from where you follow the gravel road that continues to slope gently. Staying on the road, you pass Hinter-, Mittler- and Vordervalorsch before you leave the gravel road again and follow the hiking trail across the meadow to Steg. After a short stretch of asphalt, you cross the access road and the stream, from where the hiking trail climbs steeply towards Malbun. Mostly on the narrow path and towards the end again on a short piece of gravel road, you get back to the starting point in front of the Malbun Center.

Tip from Michael Lenz
Warm up well before the trail, or start slowly, as the route climbs about 200 meters in altitude right from the start. Plan enough energy reserves for the final ascent back to Malbun.

Michael Lenz is a certified ASTA trail running guide. Growing up in the mountains, he found trail running at an early age and knows the trails he is on inside out. He loves to share his passion for trail running with others and has tested some of the most beautiful trail running routes in the Liechtenstein mountains. In addition to multi-day trail running camps and short workshops, Michael also offers tours for different levels.