Stage 1 of the multi-day Liechtenstein Panorama Trail (Route 66) starts in Ruggell, or Planken.
We started the hike in the village of Planken, which is easily accessible by bus from Vaduz, Schaan, and Feldkirch (Austria).
This stage ends at the managed Gafadurahütte, located on the Gafadura mountain pasture, below the Drei Schwestern Peaks. The hut overlooks the Rhine Valley, Alpstein, and the Alvier Group.
More Stages:
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 1
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 2
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 3
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 4
- Starting Point: Planken Schulhaus Bus Stop | Google Maps
- Ending Point: Gafadura Hütte
- Distance: 4.4 km point-to-point
- Time Needed: 2 hours
- Elevation Gain: 636 meters
- Elevation Loss: 0 meters
- Difficulty: Easy
- Minimum Elevation: 792 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 1429 meters
- Where to Stay: Gafadurahütte
Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Map
Stage 1, starting in Planken, is highlighted in coral red.
How to Get to Planken
Planken is a hamlet located northeast of Vaduz, which is easily accessible by public transit. Use Google Maps, or liemobil.li to plan your journey.
You can pay for your bus ride directly on the bus with a credit card.
Vaduz to Planken
From Vaduz, take bus 11 to Schaan Bahnhof bus stop (direction: Feldkirch). At Schaan Bahnhof, transfer to bus 26 to Planken. Get off at the Planken Schulhaus bus stop. This 2-bus journey takes 23 minutes total.
Feldkirch to Planken
Feldkirch is a town in Vorarlberg, Austria. From the Feldkirch Bahnhof, take bus 14 to Schaan Bahnhof and then transfer to bus 26 to Planken Schulhaus. This journey takes 37 minutes.
Planken, Schulhaus to Gafadura Hut Trail Description
When you exit the bus, walk the paved Dorfstrasse road in a northeasterly direction.
Soon you’ll see a signpost with trail signs. Continue straight in the direction of Gafadurahütte (1:50 hours), following the green 66 Liechtenstein Panoramaweg sign.
Walk along the paved road through the residential area. There’s a trough with drinking water (“Trinkwasser”).
Just after the bend in the road, the road divides. The junction is marked with “Bergwanderweg” (mountain hiking trail) signs that point in both directions. You can go either way.
We turned left. The hiking trail starts at the top of the paved road. Hike up the forest, following the white-red-white trail markers.
At the Blockhütte trail junction (918 m), the trail intersects with the Gafadura road. Turn left to Gafadurahütte, now signed 1:30 hours.
After passing a small car park, you’ll see several signs stating that the Gafadura Hut only accepts payment in cash and that dogs are not allowed in the hut.
Continue hiking along the forest road. Just beyond the stream, the hiking trail branches off to the right.
You can follow the trail, or the forest road up to Gafadura hut. We opted for the well-graded road.
The road rises in serpentines up the Gafadura mountain pasture.
Stay in Gafadurahütte
Gafadurahütte is a managed Liechtenstein Alpine Club hut, which is situated at the edge of a forest on a mountain pasture at 1428 meters. It was formerly a hunting lodge.
This charming hut has an inviting sun terrace overlooking the Rhine Valley, which is a favorite destination among locals. During our visit, mountain bikers and hikers were shuffling to and from the hut all day.
Gafadura hut serves homemade cakes and traditional hot and cold meals throughout the day.
The hut staff and management is exceedingly kind and good-humored.
Reservation: Call, or email the hut. gafadurahuette@alpenverein.li
Pricing: See pricing. Discount is administered to guests with Alpine Club ID cards on which the logo of the reciprocal rights agreement is printed. Learn more about alpine club membership in Tips for Hiking in the Alps.
Payment: Cash only in EUR or CHF (Swiss Francs). The hut manager collects payment in the morning.
Showers: None.
Running Water: Yes, there are sinks and indoor flush toilets.
Drinking Water: We drank the tap water.
Electronic Charging Stations: There are minimal places to charge your electronics in the hut. We spotted one outlet in the dining room and another in the dormitory room. Make sure to bring a Type J adaptor.
Food: Excellent. Dinner is served in three generous courses. Breakfast comprises a basket of bread, a plate of sliced cheeses and meats, butter, jam, coffee, tea, and juice. Important: you cannot consume your own food on hut premises.
Half Board or à la carte: Half board only. Dinner is served promptly at 5:45 pm. Breakfast is laid out, starting at 6:30/7:00 am. You can communicate what time you’d like to eat breakfast to the hut manager.
Rooms: There’s only 1 dormitory room with a capacity for 14 people. You need to bring a sleeping bag liner like this Sea to Summit liner in order to stay overnight in this hut.
Check-in: Check-in starts at 4 pm. You must arrive at the hut by 5 pm. If you’re arriving later, I would reach out to the hut manager and let them know your ETA.
Check-out: You have to leave your room by 8:45 am.
Dogs: Dogs and other pets are not allowed in Gafadurahütte.
Keep Reading about the Liechtenstein Panorama Trail
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Hiking Guide
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 1
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 2
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 3
- Liechtenstein Panorama Trail Stage 4
Liechtenstein Hiking Essentials
Read our Liechtenstein Panorama Trail hiking guide for a complete overview of this outstanding trek in the Rätikon Alps.
Hut Hiking Packing List
Read our personal hut-to-hut hiking packing list.
Mountain Hut Essentials
Pack these mountain hut essentials in addition to sufficient cash, your alpine club membership card, Kindle, sun protection, cosmetics, and ear plugs.
- Sleeping Bag Liner: Sea to Summit Silk-Cotton Blend Travel and Sleeping Bag Liner (what we use). Other options: Cocoon Cotton TravelSheet and Yen’s Mulberry Silk Sleeping Bag Liner
- Waterproof Slippers: Crocs. I also like bringing these Crocs Women’s Swiftwater Sandals, because they’re more versatile.
- Headlamp: Black Diamond Equipment Spot 350 Headlamp
- Plug Type J Adaptor: Liechtenstein uses plug type J (three round pins), like Switzerland. USA – Plug J outlet adaptor. We used this :EU to Plug J outlet Adaptor.
Hiking Gear
- Hut-to-Hut Hiking Backpack: Osprey Kyte 36 Women’s Hiking Backpack / Osprey Kestrel 48 Men’s Hiking Backpack
- Grade B/C high-cut hiking boots: Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)
- CAT 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
- Hiking Poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
- Reusable Water Bottle: Ion Leakproof 32 oz Water Bottle
Outdoor Photography Gear
- Camera Body: Sony Alpha a6400
- Mid-range Zoom Lens: Tamron 17-70mm 2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Wide angle Zoom Lens: Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens
- Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip
Learn more about the Alps
Essential Tips:
- The Alps in Summer: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting
- Hiking in the Alps: Essential Tips
- Best Hikes in the Alps
Hut-to-Hut Hiking in the Alps:
