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Via Alpina Stage 57: Gafadurahütte - Sücka

HardLiechtenstein

GPX
Distance
13.6 km (8.4 mi)
Elevation gain
1,142 m (3,747 ft)
Typical time
4 hr 33 min
Difficulty
Hard
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
2,080 m (6,824 ft)

About Via Alpina Stage 57: Gafadurahütte - Sücka

Via Alpina Stage 57: Gafadurahütte - Sücka is a 13.6 km hiking route in Liechtenstein. It climbs roughly 1,142 m (3,747 ft) along the way, topping out at 2,080 m (6,824 ft). Most people take around 4 hr 33 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. This is a demanding day. The climbing is sustained and the descent is long enough to punish tired knees.

There is no one famous view here. The appeal is the sustained quality of the walking and the fact that you are unlikely to share it with a crowd.

Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. It is not consistently waymarked, so carry a map or a downloaded track rather than relying on signs.

The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather. The nearest town of any size is Feldkirch, about 9.2 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by via-alpina.org.

In short, Via Alpina Stage 57: Gafadurahütte - Sücka suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Route map

Hard13.6 km1,142 m2,080 m

Numbered marks every 5 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Elevation

Elevation profile

Ascent
+1,142 m
Descent
−1,114 m
High
2,080 m (6,824 ft)
Low
1,402 m (4,600 ft)
1321 m1531 m1741 m1951 m2161 m0.0 km3.2 km6.5 km9.7 km13 km

The route in detail

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 73 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • High point of 2,080 m (6,824 ft)
  • Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent

Know before you go

Best season
June to October
Waymarked
Not consistently
Surface
Mixed natural surface
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not accessible
Entrance fee
No fee recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Carry your own
Toilets
Not recorded
Mobile coverage
Patchy on the upper sections
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
52/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
41/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
60/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
29/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
16/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
  • Aim for june to october for the most reliable conditions.
  • Download the track to your phone before you leave. Signal is not guaranteed.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
  • Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
  • At this altitude the weather can turn in under an hour, and temperatures drop fast once cloud arrives.
  • Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.

Safety

Emergency services in Liechtenstein are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Offline map and compass
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Extra warm layer
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
  • Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

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Trails near Via Alpina Stage 57: Gafadurahütte - Sücka

Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.

Moderate

Liechtensteiner Panoramaweg

Liechtenstein

Distance
11.8 km
/ 7.3 mi
Elevation gain
260 m
Typical duration
2 hr 51 min
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Gafadurahuette - Gaflei

Liechtenstein

Distance
10.4 km
/ 6.5 mi
Elevation gain
229 m
Typical duration
2 hr 30 min
  • Waymarked route

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