From Sareis (Malbun) to Älplibahn | Mountain hiking

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Naafkopf
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- From Sareis (Malbun) to Älplibahn
From Sareis (Malbun) to Älplibahn

From Sareis (Malbun) to Älplibahn (Normal route) Naafkopf 2570 m

Difficulty

T3+
Ascent

3:30 h, 1200 m
Descent

5 h, 1400 m

On chamois trails to the border triangle

Naafkopf is close to the borders of Switzerland and Austria and offers a splendid view to Rätikon, Flumserberge and Churfirsten. This and the numerous ascents justify a two-day stay on this mountain. The ascent from Malbun via Pfälzerhütte (Fürstin-Gina-Weg) is an interesting approach, while the descent via Barthümeljoch, Alp Ljes and Jeninser Alp is a more romantic alternative. Now and then pathfinder skills are needed to interpret confusing markings, for example on the top: the gentle ridge from the summit down to Barthümeljoch seems to be chamois terrain, but in fact it is easy to hike down.

From the east there is a pathless, pretty ridge leading up to the summit. © David Coulin

View south-eastward to the high plain between Glegghorn (right) and Vilan (left) © David Coulin

Slippery terrain on the ascent to Naafkopf © David Coulin

Route description

Sareis - Pfälzerhütte - Naafkopf

From Malbun-Sareis go southward to Sareiserjoch (P. 2000). Follow the Fürstin-Gina-Bergweg on the ridge past Spitz to reach Augstenberg (2359 m). Continue on the ridge southward down to Bettlerjoch and Pfälzerhütte (P. 2108). From Bettlerjoch follow the north ridge directly up to Naafkopf (there is a faint path in a steep scree slope).

Naafkopf - Barthümeljoch

From Naafkopf follow the ridge south-eastward (no markings). Now and then bypass some rocky outcrops by traversing on the north face to reach Barthümeljoch.

Barthümeljoch – Älplibahn summit station

From Barthümeljoch a hiking trail (markings sometimes missing) winds its way down to the Ijes plain (P. 1933). From there follow the alp access road (short tunnel) south-westward to Fläscher Alp (the upper trail past Vorderst See is prettier than the lower one). Now continue southward via Vorderalp, and with a short re-ascent you reach the Älplibahn summit station.

Variant: via Sarina / Ober Tritt to Älplibahn

The trail via Alp Sarina and Ober Tritt to Älplibahn is equally long.

Additional information

Departure point

Sareis (FL), Bergstation (1991 m)

Bus ab Vaduz, Au bis zur Haltestelle Malbun, SMS (Talstation)

Info und Fahrplan: www.bergbahnen.li

Get there Google Maps

Malbun, Zentrum

End point

Älplibahn Malans, Bergstation (1786 m)

Informationen zum Seilbahnbetrieb: www.aelplibahn.ch

Reservation empfohlen.

Get there Google Maps

Älpli

Time: Malbun-Sareis - Pfälzerhütte - Naafkopf: 3½ h

Pfälzerhütte - Naafkopf – Älplibahn summit station: 5 h

Spending the night in Pfälzerhütte is recommended.

Difficulty / Material: On the stretch from Naafkopf to Barthümeljoch the trail markings are not always obvious. However, it is not difficult to reach the summit by bypassing a few rocky outcrops.

Waypoints

Sareiserjoch (FL) (1991 m)