Werdenberg – Berghaus Malbun – Hüseren – Werdenberg

The village of Werdenberg is the smallest city in Switzerland. With it’s 55-60 inhabitants, this might very well be true. However, what really makes it worth a visit are Werdenberg’s stunning historic houses, framed by a small lake below and a medieval castle above.

If you are up for a hike after a bit of sightseeing, this walk might be for you. Start in Werdenberg and make your way up to the castle.

Walk through the castle keep and out the gate on the other side.

On the other side, follow the road just past Untergatter, enjoying the the views of Alpstein in the distance. After passing Untergatter, turn left towards Obergatter and from there follow the path uphill.

Keep following the path uphill, crossing the roads a few times and following it for a while in others. When you reach Anggalrina, leave the road and follow the path west through the woods, getting steeper and steeper until you reach the “Rheintaler Höhenweg”.

Once reaching the Höhenweg, follow it south and enjoy the lovely views of the Rhine valley all the way along.

Soon you will reach the Alphütte Valspuus hut with a great view of Margelchopf above. Here the path leads around a stream and heads into the woods on the other side.

There are lovely views of the Rhine valley through the trees and the path keeps going slightly uphill. After a while the trees will open up and you will come out just above the “Berghaus Malbun“, where there is also a bus stop..

Carry on past the Berghaus and follow the path slightly downhill along a stone wall on the other side.

The path now leads through the woods through Dörnen und then continues almost evenly through the woods to Obere Tobelbrugg, where it crosses the Tobelbach stream and then turns left, back along the valley.

After a while you will leave the woods and fantastic views of the Rhine valley will open up before you. Make your way to Hüseren, where there is a restaurant with a lovely view for a break. Just behind the restaurant, turn right and make your way downhill through the fields.

Follow the path all the way down until you reach the first houses. Now don’t go into the town but instead stay above the stream and make your way around Schneggenbödeli.

Soon you will find yourself back in Werdenberg, where you have a beautiful view of the old town and the castle across the lake. There is a good ice cream shop by the water, which is a great place to end the hike. And for general entertainment after the walk, there is an antiques and flea market by the lake once a month during spring, summer and autumn.