Feldkirch to Balzers

17. Feldkirch to Balzers

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The crossing of Liechtenstein and its capital Vaduz is an opportunity to appreciate the wealth of heritage, industry and finance of this small principality, which is particularly attached to its traditions and its princely couple.

The transition from Austria to the Principality of Liechtenstein takes place on slightly elevated forest roads above the valley, which offer a splendid view of the Swiss mountains on the other side of the Rhine, followed also at times. The serious yellow and white markings on the "Panoramaweg N°66" are in line with those encountered so far since leaving Basel.

4 points of interest

Vaduz
Historical
Vaduz
Vaduz is first mentioned in 1175/1200. In 1699 Prince Hans Adam of Liechtenstein acquired the Schellenberg estate and in 1712 the county of Vaduz. In 1719, a treaty of Emperor Charles VI united the County of Vaduz with the Schellenberg Lordship and elevated it to the rank of an imperial principality with the name of Liechtenstein. Vaduz is the main town of the Principality of Liechtenstein and the residence of the prince at the castle above the town. Vaduz is also the seat of the state government and the archbishopric of the principality. The city is particularly well known as an international financial centre.
Château de Vaduz
Historical
Vaduz Castle
The dungeon dates from the 12th century. The castle, a princely residence since 1712, has been enlarged and renovated over the centuries. Private property, it cannot be visited.

To know more about it.
Musée Beaux Arts
Cultural
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts in modern style was built by the Swiss architects Morger, Delego and Kerez and inaugurated in 2000. Numerous statues can also be found outside in the city.

Find out more about it.
Vieux pont sur le Rhin
Historical
Old bridge over the Rhine
Only the flood protection dikes built after 1860 created the conditions for building bridges over the Rhine. Between 1867 and 1879, 13 covered wooden bridges were built in the Rhine valley. Of these 13, only the one near Sevelen has been preserved. All the others were destroyed by floods or fires or perished due to old age. On 8 July 1870, Sevelen decided to build the last remaining witness to the romanticism of the wooden bridge over the Rhine and to stop the Rhine ferry.

Description

At the end of Domplatz, turn left (Herrengasse) to go under the Katzenturm and join Route 191 which crosses the Ill River and approaches the mountain:

After the complex of buildings (Pädagogische Hochschule Vorarlberg), turn left (Duxgasse) and continue on the path in the axis to climb into the forest and join a subdivision crossed to the south (Schanzweg). At the junction with Letzerstrasse, turn right and immediately take the path on the left to reach and cross the forest and the border between Austria and Liechtenstein. Shortly afterwards, the path joins the signposted path N°66 Liechtensteiner Panoramaweg followed until the entrance to Nendeln.
At the exit of the forest via Rüttigass, turn left (Klosagass) until you reach a first path on the right that joins the Schindlagass. Go down to the village centre via Schulstrasse and leave the town by the main road N°16. Shortly afterwards, at the level of an isolated dwelling, follow the road on a track to the right that joins it further on.
Turn left before a quarry, go up the valley to reach a path that follows a curve (Iraggellstrasse) and bypasses the town of Schaan through the forest. This signposted path crosses three main streams before descending to Vaduz. At the forest edge, turn left (Mareestrasse) and then take a more important road (Fürst Franz Joseph Strasse).
Turn right and then successively first street on the left (Hintergass), first on the left (Kaspelgass), first on the left (Mitteldorf) and first pedestrian crossing on the right (Egertaweg) which leads to the Herrengasse. Go to the roundabout on the left, enter the pedestrian zone on the left (Städtle) followed until the roundabout before the cathedral. Turn right (Kirstrasse) and then take the second street on the left (Rätikonstrasse). At the crossroads with Zollstrasse, the route turns right on the bicycle / pedestrian track, crosses a canal and takes the next track on the left (signposting N°975 Vaduz-Balzers Weg).
Follow this track which runs between the Rhine and a canal to beyond Triesen where the river and canal change direction. Turn left (Garnetschweg), cross and follow road N°28 on the other side along bodies of water and a stream. This track (Alte Landstrasse) leads back to the main road at the entrance to Balzers.
Enter the city and, after an isolated bell tower, turn successively right (Winkel), first street on the left (Winkel), first street on the right (Plattenbach with canal crossing), right Fürstenstrasse and first street on the left (Kirchensträssle) to reach the church at the foot of Gutenberg castle.

Departure : Dom Sankt Nikolaus Church, Domplatz 6, 6800 Feldkirche
Arrival : Jubilaumkirche, Kirchensträssle, 9496 Balzers
Towns crossed : Mauren, Eschen, Gamprin, Schaan, Planken, Valduz, Triesen, Sankt Gallen, and Balzers