Middle-aged flash packers

Unfinished business because on a previous trip with other road warriors , Jan and Nik, we had wanted to visit Liechtenstein and walk this trail but couldn’t as the weather was appalling. Fast forward a couple of years and here we are in Liechtenstein on the most beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky.

But first, breakfast. My upbringing ingrained in me that I should not take anything that isn’t mine. But does it count when all I do is take a bit of extra breakfast? I hardly ever eat my share so stuffing a bread roll, meat and baby bells into my handbag is ok right? I know RW Jan would definitely agree. I felt like a proper thief but the mini mart was closed so what else could I do?

Before we set off, we popped into the tourist office to check the trail was open and safe as we could see quite a bit of snow on the mountain tops. As usual in these mountainous places, the attitude is fairly gung ho and this was no exception. “You have boots? You’ll be ok.” I hoped my wouldn’t have me hobbling by the end of the day.

Reassured, we set off. For anyone who would like to do this hike, apart from definitely needing boots, there is no need to waste your money on taking the chairlift up. It’s a beautiful walk up to the ridge point and doesn’t take long. Find the church and you’re on the path. It’s signposted Route 66, couldn’t be easier. After that just follow the white and red blazes on the rocks.

I can not describe how gorgeous this walk is. As is often the way, the photos don’t do it justice. There were flowers everywhere and the snowdrifts here and there made the sky look even bluer.

Ah yes, the snow.

Well, boots definitely required, but I think Spike who ran our winter skills weekend in Wales might have a thing or two to say about crossing snow fields without crampons. Personally I’d say they’d be over the top but when I looked down the side of the mountain and saw how far I’d fall if I’d slipped, I was very glad I had my walking poles.

Other than that, it was a superb walk. We did have to make a couple of detours from the original route because of very deep snow, but the alternative paths were obvious and safe.

My phone agreed with Steve’s gadgets that it was just over 9 miles in distance. And no hobbling from me, although Poor Steve’s feet didn’t fare so well.

We returned to our hotel in plenty of time to have a cold beer and start planning ahead for the rest of our trip. The weather is forecast to get ridiculously hot. Although Malbun seems to be due to stick around the high 20’s the rest of Europe could get into the 40’s – yikes!