Malbun for Families: From Heart Stamps to Eagle Wings

Can you name this tiny-flowered plant? How does the forest protect the valley? And how does a cow find its herd if it strays? On the Alpherzweg in Malbun, we set out on an alpine expedition with Noah from Alp Pradamee and his feathered friend Darius, a golden eagle.

Today’s route, the Alpherz Trail, starts at the Friedenskapelle, the highest chapel in Liechtenstein, where it initially joins the panoramic trail that skirts the valley. In our backpacks we carry two cardboard “Alp hearts”, a playful nod to an old tradition. Along the way, ten stations await. At each one, the kids press a stamp into the hearts until the final mark reveals a hidden word.

A natural stage

Just a few steps in, the curtain rises. Malbun unfolds below like an arena, carved by glaciers, ringed by jagged ridges that tower like grandstands. Down in the meadows, llamas graze. Higher up, cowbells echo. A stream tumbles through the valley while butterflies scatter above the wildflowers like confetti. Benches and swings invite us to linger—a welcome pause for small legs (our kids are 3½ and 5) tackling more than 200 altitude meters of ascent.

Play, stamp, marvel

Every stretch of the trail brings a new surprise. At one station, the kids send wood chips tumbling like an avalanche into a “protection forest.” At another, they flip through the “Book of Seasons.” And further along, a wooden cow waits to be guided through a maze back to its herd. Each stamp pressed into the Alp hearts opens a playful window into nature, history, alpine traditions, or tourism. Meanwhile, the path sweeps high above the village, which lies at our feet like a toy model in the valley below.

Tip: With little kids, a carrier is a good idea. Or simply cut the hike short halfway and stroll back through the village.

The kings of the skies

Near the end of the hike, Alp Pradamee invites visitors to taste sour cheese, still made the traditional way. Tempting, but we press on, drawn to the bird-of-prey show at the Falconry Galina. On the hotel’s sunny terrace, owl, falcon, buzzard, and golden eagle swoop close overhead, land on leather gloves, and leave us with goosebumps. Falconer Norman Vögeli spices his knowledge with humor: Which bird has the best work-life balance? (Spoiler: the owl.) Which one silences the forest with a single wingbeat? And which never meets your gaze? The show is equal parts education, entertainment, and pure thrill.

Playing until sunset

Back at the Malbun Tourist Info Center, the children suddenly find fresh energy. The reason is obvious: the playground. They dam streams, dig in the sand, balance on beams, and fly across the panorama on a zipline. At the “Schlucher-Treff,” they hop into mini cars and race across the square while the smell of schnitzel, rösti and pasta drifts from the kitchen.

We finish the day at a long table, plates full, faces flushed. Outside, dusk settles gently over the high valley. The curtain falls and the natural theater of Malbun closes for the night.