LIVCO-ex-25
Lichtenstein, vorArlberg, Constance expedition 2025
(incl. the Schellenbergwand)
an IBRG expedition to several border points of interest in Europe.
Because I allready did visit some points of interest, I only joined this expedition for:
∆ City of Konstanz (border CHDE)
∆ Rheinspitz (border ATCH)
∆ Am Rohr (border ATCH)
∆ Tripoint ATCHLI (Feldkirch/Rhein)
∆ Schellenberg Wand (border ATLI)
∆ Bordercrossing Feldkirch/Binza (border ATLI)
∆ Tripoint ATCHLin (Malbun/Naafkopf 2.570 mtr.)
Konstanz has a history dating back to before Christ. Such a history also means that the
city has been under different (national) governments many times. Since mid-1806, the
city has been part of Baden (Germany), later Baden-Württemberg.
After World War II, Konstanz was in the French occupation zone and, until 1979, a
French military unit was even stationed there.
At the beginning of World War II, many Jews fled the city, some assisted at the border by border
guards. You can read more about this later on this page (Fluchtweg Rohr).
Konstanz borders directly on Kreuzlingen (Switzerland). From Lake Constance, where many artworks (Kunstgrenze) are located on the border, the border is easy to follow, and we encountered numerous border markers.
The border crossing at Zollstraße/Kreuzlingerstraße, which is closed to motorized traffic, is definitely worth a visit and exploring the border. Enjoy the boundary markers and be surprised by boundary marker no. 15.
Konstanz (DE) / Kreuzlingen (CH)
The border between Konstanz (Germany) and Kreuzlingen (Switzerland) runs from Lake Constance (#1a) to the Rhine, dividing the conglomerate into German and Swiss sections.
We were able to map about half of this border, up to #23, but couldn't find #22. It's likely located in the customs office at the "Emmishofer Tor" border crossing. The customs officials on duty couldn't help us further.
We stick at #21a, located on the front and #22a on the back of the customs office.
Feel free to take a look; besides the standard stone border markers, we also found a-typical markers, with #15 being the most striking and not found, the first time we passed it.
Konstanz
Kreuzlingen
Bordermarkers
Konstanz (DE) / Kreuzlingen (CH)
The bordermarkers
1A
As on the map above, we start at the borderline in the Bodensee. Here the borderline is a border of art (Kunstgrenze).
We start near the water with bordermarker 1A.
We see objects of art, signs with 'Landesgrenze', people and bordermarker 1A
1B
Following the borderline, we see on that line ,a borderstone that has no inscription or any detail.
We called it bordermarker 1B.
1 - 14
Bordermarkers 1 -14 can befound from the end of the road with the art, following the border until the backside of the customsoffice at 'Konstanz-Kreuzlinger tor' a bordercrosing that nowadays only open is for non motorized transport.
The railway crossing
Now we enter the crossing of the railway and the Freiestraße, but also with the Hafenstraße. The Freiestraße is in Switzerland, the Hafenstraße in Germany and you can walk over the border from one country (or street) to another.
The border is just next of the Freiestraße and at the railwaycrossing we find BM # 6 and Bm # 7.
Between the rails in Germany we find some markers, not bordermarkers.
On the otherside of the crossing we find BM # 7 and we walked further on.
14A - 16C
Now we enter the bordercrossingarea 'Konstanz - Kreuzlinger Tor', a crossing that nowadays only is open for non motorised transport.
On the German customsoffice we found on the back- as well on the frontside a bordermarker on the wall (BM # 14A and # 14B) and even we found the very a-tipical marker # 15.
In the wall of the Swiss customsoffice we spotted on the frontside BM # 16 and on the backside BM # 16A, # 16B, and # 16c.
17 - 20
From the backside of the Swiss customsoffice, on the German-side of the border, we follow the stairs down and walk behind the houses in the Grenzstrasse to BM # 17.
From here it is not possible to reach BM # 18. We approach her from the Schwedenschanze, were we at no. 10 are allowed to acces the garden and walk to # 18.
Behind the fence at # 18, we also discover a small stone. In NL it would be a Landregistry-stone.
BM # 19 and # 20 are just easy to acces in the Grenzstraße.
21 - 23
We're entering again an interesting area
on the border of Constance and Kreuzlingen, enough to find here and unfortunally, 1 BM not to find.
We're at bordercrossing 'Emmishofer Tor'.
After seeing a bit of BM # 21 from behind a toilet building near the border in the Grenzstraße, we wanted to see more of it. Somewhere at the border, at the German customsoffices side, there's a alley and exactly there is a clear shot possible at # 21.
At the frontside of the German borderpost (customsoffice) we don't find any marker.
The first sign to explore is on the wall of the Swiss customsoffice. This marker even is a bit hidden from view, placed in the wall, behind a rain pipe. It's # 21A.
We found #22A by walking around the Swiss customsoffice on the Swissside of the border. It's in the wall exactly opposite to # 21A.
We asked customofficers on duty for #22, we suggest it must be in the customsoffice, but they didn't know and couldn't help us
If you walk to the backside of the Swiss customsoffice on the Germanside of the border, you will be able to find # 22b.
It's in the wall of the building behind the customsoffice. Strange enough there's a wooden plank placed exactly on the borderline.
Wenn you walk back and cros the border from the German to the Swiss-side and walk in the 'Grenzbachstraße,
you'll find # 22C in the wall of the same building as # 22B. It's at a small parkingplace on the right, where the street bends to the left.
Rheinspitz
From Constance we move on to Rheinspitz. On the Austrian-side of the borderline, there's a nice nature reserve with nice paths for hiking and biking.
After parking we walk in half an hour to the Bodensee. Here's a very small isle, on it bordermarker #72.
Only Barry and I did cross the water to the isle.
Here we met Bruno who led us along narrow paths along the water and boundary stones back to the car
Rheinspitz
Here ends the session at the BM #72 on the isle, but with Bruno as guide it won't stop here.
Watch us while going back to the cars
(follow the yellow dotted line, from up to down.
Am Rohr
Bruno now guided us to a special border-spot at 'Am Rohr' (Lustenau). It still is the border between Austria and Switzerland, situated at 'the old Rhine', near Lustenau, near 'Parkplatz Alter Rhein' and gasthaus 'Am Rohr' Lustenau.
It's special for two reasons:
1) Special place WO II
2) Special bordermarker
That we have an excellent lunch at the Gasthaus 'could' be a reason to mention it a spot for 3 reasons ;).
Situated here is BM # 47.
Tripoint
ATCHLIn
We joined IBRG to the northern tripoint of ATCHLI at Feldkirch (AT). However we visited this tripoint allready, I wanted to have a better look at the posts, painted in the flagcolors of Austria and Lichtenstein on the Austrian/Lichtenstein border near the tripoint and, .....
Bruno told me there's another special marker to be found.
Over the tripoint more can be found here.
Schellenberg Wand
Exploring the Schellenberg Wand: Hiking the Austria-Liechtenstein border
The Schellenberg Wand is a striking rock face located near Feldkirch
in Vorarlberg, renowned for the Felsbandweg hiking trail. This trail,
running along the border between Austria and Liechtenstein, was
historically used by smugglers, giving it a rich and adventurous
history. Today, it attracts hikers and climbers seeking scenic views,
rugged terrain, and a touch of romance in the wild landscape.
Our hike covered approximately 3 km one way, during which we encountered numerous border markers, each reminding us of the fascinating history of the region.
The Schellenberg Wand trail offers a unique mix of natural beauty, adventure, and historical intrigue—perfect for anyone exploring the Austria-Liechtenstein borderlands.
After visiting the tripoint Austria-Switzerland-Liechtenstein (ATCHLIn) near Feldkirch, our guide, Bruno led us to the Schellenberg Wand, an impressive rock formation on the Austria-Liechtenstein border.
Bordercrossing
Feldkirch - Binza
After we visited the Schellenbergwand, Bruno guided us to the bordercrossing Feldkirch - Binza, on the Hubstraße / Binzastraße.
It's a small crossing on a small road. At we arrived 3 Liechtensteiner customofficers having duty on the border.
Just before this border there's a nice customsoffice on the Hubstraße.
Pfälzerhütte Naafkopf
Augstenberg
Malbun
Naafkopf
(2.570 mtr)
Part of our IBRG expedition was an unforgettable visit to the tripoint of Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein at Mount Naafkopf, which rises to 2,570 meters. This challenging yet rewarding hike, promised spectacular views and a unique three-country experience.
After crossing the border at Feldkirch – Binza, we enjoyed a hearty dinner at Gasthaus Rössele in Schaan (Liechtenstein). From there, we moved on to Malbun (LI), where we stayed at a cozy hotel near Falknerei Galinato and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Starting the Naafkopf Hike from Malbun
Malbun sits at 1,602 meters, and to save some energy, we first took the Sareisjoch ski liftup to 2,000 meters. But anyone expecting a simple “up-and-down” mountain hike would soon realize that Naafkopf had other plans.
From the Bergstation at 2,000 meters, we hiked to Augstenberg (2,359 meters), then descended slightly to Pfälzerhütte at 2,108 meters. This section took about 2.5 hours, giving us a brief rest before the final push to the tripoint. Near the Pfälzerhütte we discovered many bordermarkers for the Austrian/Lichtenstein border.as a journey across borders, a challenge for the legs, and a celebration of achieving a long-planned goal. The views from Naafkopf, combined with the thrill of standing at a point shared by three countries, made every step worth it.
We left the Naafkopf with sore legs, smiling faces, and the satisfaction of completing an adventure that few get to experience.
Yeahhhhhhh!
The last stretch to Naafkopf summit (2,570 mtr.) involved an ascent of 462 meters, which some completed in just an hour, while others needed 1.5 hours.
For us, Wilma and me, this marked the last of our nine Austrian tripoints, making the hike an emotional and triumphant moment. (The Bodensee tripoint remains elusive due to ongoing location disputes, so this one truly felt like a milestone.)
The hike back: more challenges await
After celebrating at the summit, we returned to Pfälzerhütte but couldn’t make it back to the ski lift. The descent from 2,570 meters to 2,108 meters, and then further down to Malbun at 1,602 meters, was tougher than expected.
Surprisingly, after going down, we had to climb again—a word we weren’t too fond of at that late hour (18:00, after starting at 08:30!)—but our euphoria at reaching the summit kept us going.
Reflections on the Naafkopf tripoint hike
This hike wasn’t just a test of endurance—it was a journey across borders, a challenge for the legs, and a celebration of achieving a long-planned goal. The views from Naafkopf, combined with the thrill of standing at a point shared by three countries, made every step worth it.
We left the Naafkopf with sore legs, smiling faces, and the satisfaction of completing an adventure that few get to experience. Yeahhhhhhh!
Southernmost point Germany
Tripoint Bayern | Vorarlberg | Tirol
BM # 147
Haldenwangereck
↓ © Barry Arnold©
A day after the Naafkopf, Wilma and I splitted up from the IBRG expedition and went on to Warth, a place in Austria's Vorarlberg on the border with Germany.
From here we hiked on friday to the southernmost point of Germany at BM # 147 at 1.880 mtr.
Our hike started at the former hotel Sonnenfluh at 1.517 mtr.
Over a length of only 1.5 km. we were allowed to climb 400 mtr. to reach our target.
The path was incredibly steep and, due to the rocks, sometimes difficult to navigate. You know that what you climb, you'll have to descend again... and that's sometimes really hard.
Well, finally we made it, due to wind, rain and smog. The pictures ain't that nice, due to the weather.
© Op alle foto's rust het auteursrecht.
Vraag s.v.p. vooraf om toestemming als je foto's gebruiken wilt.©
