September 3, 2017 Heidiland & the Viamala Schlucht (canyon), Liechtenstein

 The weather was again iffy, so we chose a few places to that wouldn't require mountain hiking.
First was Heidiland, near Maienfeld, Switzerland, then was the Viamala - the most serious obstacle to pass in order to reach two mountain passes - the Splügen and San Bernadino, and finally a little trip to Liechtenstein.

Heidi's house. I remember years ago passing signs on the road to "Heidiland" and I thought it was so corny. I had never even read the book! In 2005 when we returned from our year in Switzerland, I finally read it and it became one of my favorites! In subsequent years I finally visited Heidiland, and believe me, when the weather is clear, it is a charming place with magnificent views. 

The goats have a great view!

They are also very friendly.

In 2017 Heidiland was on the Swiss "Grand Tour". Every year they have a circuit of famous places to visit. This year we went to 3 of them! 

We didn't pay for the tour of the inside of Heidi's house, but got a good glimpse through the door, 

Heidi's back yard

The back of Heidi's house

We are now at the Viamala Schlucht. We arrived by the original, local road, not the highway. Parking was nearly non-existent. The woman in the tour shop told me to park in a construction site down the road. I was the only car there, and hoping I wouldn't get towed! Fortunately it was Sunday so I had no problem. 

The old original road through the canyon. This section is now closed to traffic.
The name Viamala actually means "bad road" in Italian. Hmm, I wonder why!
There is also an exciting suspension bridge in this area and other hikes, and the weather was clearing. The lady in the tour shop told us that because of the last few days of rain, many rocks had fallen and mountain hikes in the area were only recommended for those very experienced hikers. She walked around the corner of her counter to look at our equipment - basic hiking shoes and poles and shook her head and said "oh no, you cannot hike!"

This picture gives you a good idea
of the zig zag stairway
down into the canyon. 

We paid for tickets to decend into the canyon. Definitely worth it! Along the way down, there are signs indicating the water levels in the canyon of the past thousands of years. 

Can you just imagine this road in horse and buggy days?

We are going down deeper into the gorge, 

Once down in the gorge, there is a path that is actually cut into the side of the walls. 

I love how the Swiss make these spectacular places accessible! 

Look carefully at the wall of the gorge, to see another view of the path that is cut into the rock. 

As we head back to our home base in Jona, we take a local road for a while to enjoy the sights and find surprises. This was found in Cazis, Switzerland

Cazis

Of course we had to stop to check this out! In Cazis, it's a very modern church, called Evangelical Pfarramt

Inside the church

Across the valley is a private castle! It's called Sogn Luregn

 

More castles! This is Schloss Werdenberg in Switzerland, across from Leichtenstein

Schloss Werdenberg in the distance

Since we are so close, we take the local road into Liechtenstein. Here is Leslie at the border. 

Another border marker

And another marker!

We stop for some gas, and such a nice view from the gas station! This is called Burg Gutenberg, a 12th century castle that was rebuilt in the 1900's.