Day Trip: Family Adventure in Malbun
How do you bring the Alps to life for children? In Malbun, a hands-on family trail turns mountain life into a game of discovery, while the falconry show sends eagles, owls and falcons soaring across the sky. Together, the Alpherz Trail and Falconry Galina make for a family day out full of puzzles, wildlife and alpine adventures.
How does a forest protect the valley below? How does a cow find its way back to the herd? On the “Alpherz Trail” in Malbun, families set off on an family adventure with Noah from Alp Pradamee and Darius the golden eagle. The journey begins at the Peace Chapel, Liechtenstein’s highest church. Tucked into our backpacks are two cardboard “Alp Hearts” waiting to be stamped at ten stations along the trail.
Just a few steps in, the curtain rises. Malbun unfolds below like an arena, carved by glaciers and 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 appear just as little legs tire, a welcome pause for our kids aged 3.5 and 5 years.
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.
Alpherz Trail Hand-on stations Falconry Galina
Near the end, Alp Pradamee lures with sour cheese, but the real showstopper is at Falconry Galina, where owl, falcon, buzzard, and golden eagle swoop overhead. The falconer’s stories mix facts with smiles – who knew an owl had the best work-life balance? And who would ever want to meet the cold eyes of a golden eagle?
After the bird show, the Malbun playground draws out a last burst of energy: damming streams, digging in sand and flying down the zipline. The day wraps with Schnitzel and Rösti at the “Schlucher-Treff”, as dusk settles over the valley and the wild theatre of Malbun closes its curtain – until next time.
Kinderregion Blog: A short break by Lake Zurich, a family day out in Elm, an adventure on Lake Zug, things to do in Rapperswil or three highlights at the Rhine Falls – on the Kinderregion blog, families share their favourite experiences around Switzerland first-hand, complete with practical tips for planning your own day out. Find inspiration here.
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