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.