Classroom lesson 路 The Liechtenstein Trail馃嚤馃嚠 Liechtenstein

The Liechtenstein Trail

A hiking route that crosses the entire country from north to south

A hiker on a mountain trail with the Rhine valley visible in the background

Photo 路 Wikimedia Commons

What is it?

The Liechtenstein Trail is a long walking route that goes from the very northern tip of the country all the way to the southern end - covering the whole of Liechtenstein in one journey. It is 75 kilometres long and passes through mountains, meadows, villages, vineyards and forests. Most people walk it over several days.

Tell me more

The trail was created to help people discover every corner of Liechtenstein. It passes through all eleven of the country's municipalities (which is the word for the small local areas, a bit like boroughs). Along the way, walkers visit historic castles, quiet chapels, alpine meadows and the banks of the Rhine.

Because Liechtenstein is so small, the trail links things that seem completely different in a short distance. In a single day's walk you might go from flat farmland beside the river, through a village market, up forested hillsides and finish in an alpine meadow above the clouds. That variety is what makes the country feel surprising.

The trail has markers along the whole route so walkers always know which way to go. Schools sometimes organise sections of the trail as a class trip, walking a piece of it together and learning about the landscapes and history along the way.

In the classroom

Walk your class through this in 15 minutes.

Talk together

Discussion prompts

  1. 01If you could design a trail through your town or city, what five places would it have to visit? Why those?
  2. 02Walking a long trail takes several days. What would be the best part - and the hardest part?
  3. 03The trail was designed so people could learn about their own country. What do you think is the best way to learn about where you live?
Try this

Classroom activity

On a blank piece of paper, design a 'classroom trail' that visits five important or interesting spots in your school or neighbourhood. Draw a simple map, mark the route with arrows, and write one sentence about each stop.