14/08/2025
.de
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Liechtenstein 🇱🇮
Weekend adventure in one of Europe’s smallest countries.
Together with a friend, I spent a few days exploring Liechtenstein – a mountainous microstate between Switzerland and Austria. Although small, it’s one of the richest countries in the world and governed as a constitutional hereditary monarchy based on a democratic-parliamentary system, led by the Prince and a parliament in Vaduz.
We started in Vaduz at the youth center Camäleon. I was surprised how spacious and welcoming it was. Liechtenstein has ten youth centers in total, all run by the Stiftung Offene Jugendarbeit Liechtenstein (OJA) and well funded by the Prince.
Through Yoalin (Youth Alpine Interrail), I got in touch with a local volunteer working at the center, which gave us a place to sleep for the night. Yoalin is a program by CIPRA International promoting sustainable travel in the Alps. Participants get an Interrail ticket for the Alpine region, access to local events, and a hospitality network.
The next day, we set off a bit late from Triesenberg, hiking through Steg to Malbun. There, we found local mountain cheese that motivated us to take on the next ascent. The hike also served as a test for an upcoming Alpine crossing, so I had packed extra heavy. After nearly 20 kilometers, that definitely made a difference.
We aimed to reach the Pfälzerhütte via the Fürstin-Gina-Trail, a scenic route recommended by locals. But in the afternoon, we reached a short climbing section not shown on any maps. With heavy backpacks and limited daylight, we decided to turn around. There wasn’t enough time left to take the easier route from the valley, so we had to cancel the hut stay.
But spontaneous changes often make for the best memories. We spent another night at the youth center and I went to the Planken Rockt Festival that evening – a small open-air concert organized by OJA with a great atmosphere.
On the way back, we stopped in Lindau by Lake Constance and cooled off with a well-earned swim.
