A nature reserve covering around 90 hectares, cross-border trails and historic buildings give Ruggell, in the north of Liechtenstein, its own distinctive character. The Ruggeller Riet represents the area’s landscape, while the museum and parish church tell different stories about its architectural and cultural history. Exploring Ruggell, you can combine these themes with trails and other leisure activities.
The Ruggeller Riet and trails through the landscape
The Ruggeller Riet is a peatland and nature reserve covering around 90 hectares in the very north of Liechtenstein. Together with the neighbouring Bangser Riet in Vorarlberg, it forms a peatland landscape. The Ruggeller Riet is of international importance. This cross-border landscape shapes the natural perspective on Ruggell, without requiring you to choose a particular route.
The “Around the Ruggeller Riet” hiking route starts in Ruggell and runs via Halameder, Zollamt, Under Riet and Bangserfeld, then back to Ruggell along the Rhine or canal embankment. The loop can be walked at any time of year. Parking for this route is available by the church or at the community hall in Ruggell. This is one way to explore the Riet landscape on a circular walk; no walking time or difficulty level is specified here for this route.
Another way to experience the area is the fifth stage of the Liechtenstein Trail: it starts in Ruggell, passes through the Ruggeller Riet nature reserve, climbs to Schellenberg and then continues through Mauren to the border at Schaanwald. A stage of the Liechtenstein Trail for e-bikes also passes through Ruggell: it runs from Bendern to Schaanwald through the municipality.
The cross-border Three-Country Trail, “Movement – Encounter”, is a loop established by Altstätten, Feldkirch, Meiningen, Ruggell, Rüthi and Sennwald. As a cycling loop, it is listed as 29.7 kilometres; a new route measurement could change this figure. The route is rated easy, although conditions along the way may vary. There are 16 designated stopping points along the trail, each with an information board about the location; this offering may change. Route conditions and signage may also change, so it is advisable to check the latest route information before setting out.
Museum and church architecture in Ruggell
Since 2002, Küefer-Martis-Huus has served as a museum and cultural centre for the municipality of Ruggell. The house was built around 1730 and is one of the region’s rare examples of a representative Baroque farmhouse. Its exhibitions explore a range of regional themes, with water as a central focus. The house thus brings together the history of a distinctive type of building and themes from the region.
The parish church of St. Fridolin also offers insights into architecture and history. The Neo-Gothic church has a single nave, a vaulted ceiling and an octagonal choir facing east. It was built between 1897 and 1899; its dedication to Saint Fridolin took place on 19 May 1911, conducted by Georgius Schmid von GrĂĽneck, the Bishop of Chur at the time. The construction period and the dedication are therefore two separate milestones in its history.
Walks and sports
The Riet is not the only place to enjoy nature: the undeveloped slopes of Eschnerberg in the municipality of Ruggell are suitable for walks and short hikes. If you are deciding between a loop through the Riet and trails on the slopes, you can choose between two different landscape experiences within the municipality. The leisure facilities at Widau Park offer a sporting contrast: there are football pitches and a beach volleyball court.
Discover more destinations: Ruggell, Triesen, Gamprin, Triesenberg, Eschen, Vaduz.
Go to the main travel overview: Liechtenstein.
