RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandGraubündenLandquartMalans
Älplibahn Mountain Station – Falknis Summit loop from Vilan
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesSwitzerlandGraubündenLandquartMalans
Älplibahn Mountain Station – Falknis Summit loop from Vilan
Hard
4.7
(20)
161
hikers
Älplibahn Mountain Station – Falknis Summit loop from Vilan
07:37
17.9km
1,050m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Restaurant
Get Directions
1
18 m
Älplibahn Mountain Station
Highlight • Rest Area
Älpli Bahn BS, Malans
The history of the Älplibahn Malans
1. The military needs a railway
The Älplibahn was built during the Second World War to supply the troops stationed on the border with supplies. While a road was being built from the Austrian side to near the border in 1938, the Swiss border guards had to carry ammunition and supplies in an arduous climb from Jenins to the mountain front.
For this reason, the then section commander, Captain Christian Janggen, applied for the construction of a cable car in 1939.
2. The municipality of Malans is involved
After the military pledged a financial contribution of around 90% of the construction costs and the municipality of Malans also agreed to a cable car for transporting wood and people in August 1939, the preparatory work could begin.
In view of the military urgency, the Malans forestry group, which had plenty of experience with wooden cable cars, was immediately released from its other active service obligations and assigned to build the first material cable car.
3. A temporary solution
A forest clearing was immediately cleared. In 1940, the first goods could be transported to Älpli using a temporary transport system with two intermediate stations.
4. First licensed cable car in Graubünden
The project for the new Älplibahn was calculated by Prof. Stüssi from the ETH in Zurich. It finally went into operation in the autumn of 1941. For safety reasons, however, only military transport could be carried out at first.
After additional reconstruction work, it was opened for civilian traffic in September 1945. It was the first licensed cable car in the canton of Graubünden, and with a track length of 3.5 km, it was one of the longest in Switzerland. To this day, it is the railway that climbs the most meters in altitude without stopping.
5. What next
As a tourist railway, the system became a popular excursion destination until operations had to be stopped in 1973 due to urgently needed renovations. Due to the low transport capacity of 16 people per hour, operating income was too low to amortize the high investment costs. After no solution for financing was found, demolition was considered in 1980.
6. Establishment of a cooperative and association
At the end of 1980, the Älplibahn Association was founded, and shortly afterwards the Älplibahn cooperative. The aim of this was to raise the necessary capital to renovate the old system. Thanks to spontaneous help from large sections of the population, shares worth 550,000 francs were subscribed within six months.
7. Reconstruction
The military helped with the reconstruction, and even major railway companies supported the little sister. After the municipality had handed over the cable car to the cooperative, the ropes were replaced, a new drive installed and a modern safety system installed. During the renovation, the system components were dimensioned in such a way that the capacity could later be doubled to 32 people per hour.
8. Over 6000 hours of voluntary work
In addition to the electromechanical renovations, a lot of construction work also had to be done. In 1980 and 1981, up to 40 volunteers were on duty on Saturdays.
Until the cable car was reopened in July 1982, well over 6000 hours of voluntary work were carried out. There was no shortage of work in the following years either, as masts had to be renovated and the mountain station had to be secured with a protective roof and avalanche barriers.
9. Operated by volunteers
Demand on weekends grew ever greater, so that the existing capacity was soon no longer sufficient. In 1989, the cable car was expanded to a double-cable car. To ensure that operations continue, numerous volunteer machine operators and a group for construction and maintenance work are still on duty today. Over 200 volunteers take care of the physical well-being in the mountain station's pub.
10. A large Älplibahn community
This has led to the creation of a large Älplibahn community in which like-minded people of all ages have found and continue to find meaningful leisure activities. Thanks to the broad support of 550 cooperative members and 800 club members, funding is also secured. Passion, commitment and enthusiasm will ensure that the Älplibahn Malans lives on for a long time to come!
Source: Älplibahn Malans
aelplibahn.ch
The history of the Älplibahn Malans
1. The military needs a railway
The Älplibahn was built during the Second World War to supply the troops stationed on the border with supplies. While a road was being built from the Austrian side to near the border in 1938, the Swiss border guards had to carry ammunition and supplies in an arduous climb from Jenins to the mountain front.
For this reason, the then section commander, Captain Christian Janggen, applied for the construction of a cable car in 1939.
2. The municipality of Malans is involved
After the military pledged a financial contribution of around 90% of the construction costs and the municipality of Malans also agreed to a cable car for transporting wood and people in August 1939, the preparatory work could begin.
In view of the military urgency, the Malans forestry group, which had plenty of experience with wooden cable cars, was immediately released from its other active service obligations and assigned to build the first material cable car.
3. A temporary solution
A forest clearing was immediately cleared. In 1940, the first goods could be transported to Älpli using a temporary transport system with two intermediate stations.
4. First licensed cable car in Graubünden
The project for the new Älplibahn was calculated by Prof. Stüssi from the ETH in Zurich. It finally went into operation in the autumn of 1941. For safety reasons, however, only military transport could be carried out at first.
After additional reconstruction work, it was opened for civilian traffic in September 1945. It was the first licensed cable car in the canton of Graubünden, and with a track length of 3.5 km, it was one of the longest in Switzerland. To this day, it is the railway that climbs the most meters in altitude without stopping.
5. What next
As a tourist railway, the system became a popular excursion destination until operations had to be stopped in 1973 due to urgently needed renovations. Due to the low transport capacity of 16 people per hour, operating income was too low to amortize the high investment costs. After no solution for financing was found, demolition was considered in 1980.
6. Establishment of a cooperative and association
At the end of 1980, the Älplibahn Association was founded, and shortly afterwards the Älplibahn cooperative. The aim of this was to raise the necessary capital to renovate the old system. Thanks to spontaneous help from large sections of the population, shares worth 550,000 francs were subscribed within six months.
7. Reconstruction
The military helped with the reconstruction, and even major railway companies supported the little sister. After the municipality had handed over the cable car to the cooperative, the ropes were replaced, a new drive installed and a modern safety system installed. During the renovation, the system components were dimensioned in such a way that the capacity could later be doubled to 32 people per hour.
8. Over 6000 hours of voluntary work
In addition to the electromechanical renovations, a lot of construction work also had to be done. In 1980 and 1981, up to 40 volunteers were on duty on Saturdays.
Until the cable car was reopened in July 1982, well over 6000 hours of voluntary work were carried out. There was no shortage of work in the following years either, as masts had to be renovated and the mountain station had to be secured with a protective roof and avalanche barriers.
9. Operated by volunteers
Demand on weekends grew ever greater, so that the existing capacity was soon no longer sufficient. In 1989, the cable car was expanded to a double-cable car. To ensure that operations continue, numerous volunteer machine operators and a group for construction and maintenance work are still on duty today. Over 200 volunteers take care of the physical well-being in the mountain station's pub.
10. A large Älplibahn community
This has led to the creation of a large Älplibahn community in which like-minded people of all ages have found and continue to find meaningful leisure activities. Thanks to the broad support of 550 cooperative members and 800 club members, funding is also secured. Passion, commitment and enthusiasm will ensure that the Älplibahn Malans lives on for a long time to come!
Source: Älplibahn Malans
aelplibahn.ch
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
3.18 km
Picnic area with a view of the Churfirsten mountains
Highlight • Viewpoint
Rest area with table and benches. There is also a wonderful view during the break.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3
5.59 km
Mittlerer See in the Fläscher Valley
Highlight • Lake
4
6.91 km
Oberstsee
Highlight • Lake
5
7.58 km
Fläscher Fürggli with breathtaking views
Highlight • Mountain Pass
The Fläscher Fürggli offers a magnificent view of the Fläscher Valley and the Three Lakes. From here, it's not far to the Falknis. An emergency shelter is also located there.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6
8.63 km
Falknis Summit
Highlight • Summit
The summit lies on the border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland, between the Graubünden municipality of Fläsch and the Liechtenstein municipality of Triesen. It is accessible via a hiking trail and lies at 2,560 m above sea level.
The view from Falknis extends northward beyond Lake Constance.
Source: Falknis - Wikipedia share.google/8XutRhc1mPOcqfBan
A breathtaking 360° view awaits you on Falknis.
The view from Falknis extends northward beyond Lake Constance.
Source: Falknis - Wikipedia share.google/8XutRhc1mPOcqfBan
A breathtaking 360° view awaits you on Falknis.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
12.2 km
Lower Lake in the Fläschertal
Highlight • Lake
The whole Fläschertal is beautiful. Even though there was hardly any water in the lake during my hike, this is a wonderful piece of earth!
Translated by Google •
Tip by
8
14.2 km
Alp Bad (1954 m), Maienfeld
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Alpen Bad (1954 m above sea level), Maienfelder
Maienfeld Alps
The Maienfeld Alps are the Alps of the political municipality of Maienfeld. The taxes for the use of the Alps by the cattle owners are set by the community. The pastures are all behind the westernmost ridge of the Rätikon and are drained via the Canibach into the Landquart in Prättigau. Alp buildings are on the Alps Bad (1954 m above sea level), Egg (1664 m above sea level), Sturfis (1577 m above sea level) and Ijes (1934 m above sea level). Alp Sturfis, the largest milk-processing Swiss alp, was originally a permanent Walser settlement, but was converted into an alp in 1633 and the residents moved into the valley. The ruins of the chapel still bear witness to the former permanent settlement.
Every year in spring, the cattle of the cattle owners of the city of Maienfeld, who pay the usage taxes, are driven up to the Alps in the alpine lift and brought back down to the valley in autumn on the alpine descent. In order to utilize the infrastructure and increase profitability, livestock from cattle farmers from the Central Plateau are also taken into 'pension' for a fee.
Neighboring Alps are the Fläscher Alp Sarina of the municipality of Fläsch and the Jenins Alps of the municipality of Jenins. The Furggaalp in Arosa, located between the Isel and Grünsee reservoirs on the way to Medergen, is also part of the Maienfeld Alps. Over the centuries, this fact led to the naming of Maienfelder Furgga, the transition there from Arosa to Davos.
Text: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maienfelder_Alpen
Maienfeld Alps
The Maienfeld Alps are the Alps of the political municipality of Maienfeld. The taxes for the use of the Alps by the cattle owners are set by the community. The pastures are all behind the westernmost ridge of the Rätikon and are drained via the Canibach into the Landquart in Prättigau. Alp buildings are on the Alps Bad (1954 m above sea level), Egg (1664 m above sea level), Sturfis (1577 m above sea level) and Ijes (1934 m above sea level). Alp Sturfis, the largest milk-processing Swiss alp, was originally a permanent Walser settlement, but was converted into an alp in 1633 and the residents moved into the valley. The ruins of the chapel still bear witness to the former permanent settlement.
Every year in spring, the cattle of the cattle owners of the city of Maienfeld, who pay the usage taxes, are driven up to the Alps in the alpine lift and brought back down to the valley in autumn on the alpine descent. In order to utilize the infrastructure and increase profitability, livestock from cattle farmers from the Central Plateau are also taken into 'pension' for a fee.
Neighboring Alps are the Fläscher Alp Sarina of the municipality of Fläsch and the Jenins Alps of the municipality of Jenins. The Furggaalp in Arosa, located between the Isel and Grünsee reservoirs on the way to Medergen, is also part of the Maienfeld Alps. Over the centuries, this fact led to the naming of Maienfelder Furgga, the transition there from Arosa to Davos.
Text: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maienfelder_Alpen
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
17.9 km
End point
Restaurant
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
10.3 km
6.51 km
1.08 km
Surfaces
12.5 km
2.25 km
2.10 km
1.03 km
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Elevation
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Highest point (2,500 m)
Lowest point (1,780 m)
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Weather
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Thursday 25 June
34°C
17°C
17 %
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Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h
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