This easy trail wanders through the vineyards in the Rhine valley region, southeast of Zurich. It is particularly beautiful in late October, when the grape leaves turn bright yellow.
The trail passes through the Heidi village, where you can wander through traditional buildings associated with the popular Swiss story (ticket required).
Keep reading for details for this vineyard walk.
Quick info
| Region | Rhine Valley, southeast Switzerland |
| Location: | Start: Fläsch, Dorf bus stop End: Malans train station |
| By car: | Parking at Malans train station, from Zürich 1h10 Then 22 min bus to start of trail |
| By public transport: | To start at Fläsch, Dorf bus stop from Zurich 1h30, Chur 30 mins |
| Trail: | 2h45 • ⬇️trail map |
| Distance: | 10.4 km one way |
| Difficulty: | easy • 293m up, 273m down |
| Condition: | mostly paved or wide dirt path |
| Elevation: | highest elevation 678m |
| Open: | May to late October |
| Cost: | free except bus fare to start of trail |
| Services: | restaurants in each village, WC at Heididorf |
| More info: | • weather |
Gallery
These pictures are from our hike on 1 Nov 2025.
Trail Overview
Hiking Map
The trail map below shows the loop trail we recommend.
See trail map on Komoot • SwitzerlandMobility • OutdoorActive
Shorter version
You can shorten this trail by catching the bus in Jenins instead of walking all the way to Malans.
Loop variations
There are lots of trails wandering through this wine region. If you prefer a loop, here are a few to try:
How to get there
This trail is near Malans in southeast Switzerland.
It’s a one way trail between the Fläsch and Malans villages. You can use a bus to reach your starting point, but it only runs once an hour. So plan ahead to coordinate with the bus schedule.
By car
Park at the Malans train station, where you will end the hike later. Walk about 2 min to the Malans GR, Unterdorf bus stop.
Ride Bus 22 (direction Bad Ragaz) to Fläsch, Dorf bus stop to start the trail. Travel time 22 mins. The bus departs every 30 or 60 mins, so check schedule on SBB.ch so you don’t have to wait a long time for the bus.
It’s best to purchase the bus ticket on the SBB Mobile app before boarding the bus. The bus is free with Swiss Travel Pass.
By public transport
If you are coming from Zürich, you can take a train to Maienfeld, then bus to Fläsch, Dorf.
The trail ends at the Malans train station, where you can catch a train to Landquart, then another train back to Zurich. Or you walk all the way to Landquart if you prefer.
Planning your day
When to go
This hike is prettiest from spring to late October, when the leaves turn bright yellow. Our photos from from 1 Nov.
Where to eat
There are restaurants in the villages along the way, including the Hotel Heididorf near the Heidi village.
There are a few picnic areas along the way. near Peter’s fountain, near Heidi’s fountain, at Heidi’s village, after Jenins, and in Malans.
Photo Story
1. Starting trail in Fläsch
Catching bus in Malans and arriving at Fläsch, Dorf bus stop to start the trail.
Start by walking through the Fläsch village.
You start by following signs to Fläscherberg. But I suggest having my trail map open on your phone, as the signs aren’t super helpful for navigating the best route through the vineyards.
Some nice grapevines near the mountain.
Looking back at Fläsch.
Fork right at the sign pointing to “Heidibrunnen” aka Heidi fountain.
You’ll cross this river bed.
Then you enter a big grassy park. This is a popular place for people to picnic.
You can optionally walk down the park to the vineyards for some photos. But eventually cross the full park until you reach the road, then turn left.
Here is the Heidi fountain at the far side of the park.
2. Heidiweg to Heididorf
Now follow the “Heidweg” signs that will lead you to the Heidi village.
Nice mountain views on this part.
This bit in the forest is a lumpy footpath, following signs to Boval. If you need a stroller-friendly path, take the detour that uses the country road instead.
Now you join the road and follow this towards Heididorf.
Lots of sheep in these meadows.
Sometimes the path diverts from the road into the meadows. In any case, there’s not much traffic, so you don’t have to worry so much.
Walking on roads isn’t my favorite, but this one was so beautiful.
3. Visiting the Heidi Village
The road leads you to the entrance for the “Heididorf” village. You are greeted by these statues. You don’t have to pay an entrance fee if you are just walking through.
Continue following signs to Heididorf.
Looking back on the trail.
Still following “Heididorf” signs.
Here is part of the Heidi village. If you want to explore the buildings, you need to buy a ticket at the gift shop.
We took a few pics, visiting the goats, stopped for snacks at the gift shop, then continued walking through the village.
4. To Jenins
After Heididorf, follow signs to Jenins.
Looking back at the bright yellow vineyards.
At this sign, you fork left towards Ochsenberg, then in a couple minutes, turn right again onto a quieter country road, parallel to the main road.
Such gorgeous colors here.
Follow signs to Jenins.
Short dip in the forest.
Cornfields.
Entering Jenins along this stone wall.
Some scenes from Jenins. There was one restaurant open when we were there.
Continuing along the main road through the village.
More bright yellow vineyards here.
Walking through the narrow lanes in Jenins.
This honesty shop has cheese, sausage, eggs, pumpkin, cold drinks, and coffee machine.
5. Ending in Malans
Now on a footpath, following signs to Malans. We took a detour on a higher path in the forest, but I don’t recommend it. Just stay on the main path in the forest that parallels the main road towards Malans.
Walking into Malans.
Ending back at the Malans train station. This train departs hourly, so check the schedule on SBB beforehand to time your arrival. No shop at the train station, but there is a nearby kebab & snack shop.
