Maienfeld

Maienfeld, 7304

The basics

To see the Maienfeld landscapes that prompted Johanna Spyri to write Heidi, look for the official signposted Heidi Trail (Heidiweg), which leads from the Maienfeld railway station into the hills on a looped track. This family-friendly route is a great way to visit the Heidi Village (Heididorf) attraction in Oberrofels, perched at an altitude of 3,645 feet (1,111 meters). From there, you can hike up to the Heidialp, home to the recreated cabin of Heidi’s grandfather, Alpöhi, and views that make you want to yodel.

Day trips from Zürich or Liechtenstein often visit Maienfeld and the Heidi Village. Just be aware the name “Heidiland”—often seen in tour itineraries—covers the wider region between Lake Walen and Chur and not necessarily Maienfeld itself. If trips do visit Maienfeld, Salenegg Castle, home to one of Europe’s oldest wineries, is a popular stop en route.

Show all

View all 3 experiences

Things to know before you go

The Heidi Village attraction is open daily between mid-March and mid-November.
Maienfeld’s Heidi Trail offers route deviations to suit all ages. The shortest stretch from Maienfeld railway station to the Heidi Village is best for strollers and little legs. Energetic kids will like the steeper terrain of the 1,476-foot (450-meter) Heidi Adventure Trail, which runs between the Heidi Village and the original Heidi hut and typically takes just over 1.5 hours to complete.
The Heidi Village attraction is small and rustic, created to be a replica of a simple mountain village in the late 1800s. It takes around half a day to complete the trail and look inside the village buildings.
The Heidihof Restaurant has a panoramic terrace for lunch, but it’s often busy during peak times. Consider heading in for a drink or ice cream, and save your meal for Maienfeld instead.
Around the Heidi Village, there are often free-roaming goats and chickens that kids can pet and feed. Keep in mind that dogs must be kept on a leash.

Show all

How to get there

Like many Swiss hotspots, Maienfeld is best reached by train. Regularly departing from both Zürich and Vaduz in Liechtenstein, trains can get you to the town of Sargans quickly. From Sargans, transfer to a local train heading towards the Maienfeld railway station. Once you arrive, you can walk into town easily or start the Heidi Trail straight away.

Show all

When to get there

If you’re coming to Maienfeld to live the Heidi life, skip the winter when sites are often closed and the weather conditions make exploring by foot tricky. Time your visit between mid-March and mid-November; this time of year, the Heidi Village is open daily, and the sunny but mild climate is perfect for hiking and other outdoor adventures.

Show all

There’s more to Maienfeld than Heidi

As the main town in Switzerland’s Bündner Herrschaft wine region, Maienfeld is a great place to sip the local pinot noir (Blauburgunder) wine. On weekends from April to November, the town’s winemakers take turns to host wine tastings in their torkels (cellars), offering light snacks to pair with your drinks. Ask the tourist office for information when you visit, or check out wine-tasting tours that give you options to explore further afield.

Show all