Stausee Steg, Liechtenstein: Everything You Need To Know To Plan An Epic Visit [2024]

Stausee Steg is one of the most beautiful lakes that we’ve visited. Nestled in the tiny (the 6th smallest country in the world) country of Liechtenstein is this azure blue lake, backed by snow-topped mountains and surrounded by tiny villages it was gorgeous.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything that there is to know to visit Stausee Steg and Gänglesee lakes in Liechtenstein. Including how to get there, where to park, if can swim in the lakes and how long you need there.

When planning our campervan road trip through Europe we knew we wanted to visit the little country of Liechtenstein. We’re suckers for visiting a country that we don’t know much about and that you don’t see every day on social media but, we had no idea what there was to see there.

A quick search and we’d found the most incredible-looking blue lake and alpine lake; Stausee Steg and Gänglesee.

With not much knowledge of the two lakes, we added the little European country to our itinerary.

What is the difference between Stausee Steg and Gänglesee?

Gänglesee and Stausee Steg are directly adjacent to each other, Gänglesee is the smaller of the two lakes and is located south of Stausee Steg. Gänglesee is perfect for swimming in, walking around and enjoying a BBQ at one of the many spots around the lake. The lake is backed by beautiful mountains. If you look in the other direction then you’ll see Stausee Steg, this lake is the more peaceful of the two with ducks and swans swimming on it and an incredible turquoise tint to the water. This lake is popular for fishing.

Where is Stausee Steg?

Stausee Steg is located in the heart of Liechtenstein, in the Malbun region, the small but, picturesque country nestled between Switzerland and Austria. Stausee Steg is directly adjacent to the Gänglesee, another gorgeous lake backed by snow-capped mountains.

How to get to Stausee Steg?

To reach Stausee Steg in Liechtenstein, you have several options depending on your starting point.

Liechtenstein actually has no airport due to its small size and mountainous terrain. So, if you’re looking to fly in the closest airports are Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland or Vienna International Airport (VIE) in Austria. From here, you can either hire a car and drive to Stausee Steg and Gänglesee or catch a public bus.

By Car – The most convenient way to get to Stausee Steg is by car. If you’re coming from Switzerland, take the A13 highway and exit at Haag, then follow the signs towards Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. From Vaduz, head towards Triesenberg and continue up to the village of Steg. The drive from Vaduz to Steg takes about 20 minutes. There are parking facilities near the reservoir which are free. Be mindful that the drive up to Stausee Steg is through winding roads, so if you suffer from car sickness be prepared to stop a lot. The views, however, are absolutely gorgeous over Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

By Public Transport – You can also reach Stausee Steg by bus. From Vaduz, take Bus 21 towards Steg. The bus ride offers scenic views and takes about 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Steg, it’s a short walk to the reservoir.

By Foot or Bike – If you have some extra time on your hands and enjoy outdoor activities, it’s possible to hike or bike to Stausee Steg from nearby villages like Malbun or Triesenberg. The trails are well-marked and offer beautiful alpine scenery along the way.

Stausee Steg is accessible year-round but always check the local weather conditions, especially in winter, as the roads can be icy.

Where to park at Stausee Steg

There is a free car park adjacent to the lake with around 20+ spaces. Cars and vans are able to park there all day however, the sign did say that you couldn’t park there overnight (we did speak to a couple that parked there overnight and seemed as if they had previously) so if you do want to then do so at your own risk.

If you are looking to park (legally) overnight then around a 5-minute drive away there is a car park for campervans. This is at JUFA Hotel Malbun, they even have an area where you can plug your vans into electricity and use their toilets.

How long should I spend at Stausee Steg?

One day is long enough to spend in Stausee Steg and you can easily see all that there is to see in one hour. However, if you want to relax then we really recommend spending a day or even a night here relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery that the area offers.

Where to stay when visiting Stausee Steg

If you’re looking at spending the night near the little lake in Liechtenstein then you have two options. Head east towards the town of Malburn or west towards Triesenberg. In both of these towns, you’ll find a combination of beautiful mountain hotels. Here are the ones that we recommend based on visiting them during our time here and reviews on the hotels:

JUFA Hotel Malbun – Located in the town of Malburn, this hotel is located right near the ski lift, the views are beautiful and it’s a really lovely hotel with a beautiful restaurant overlooking the hills and the mountains in the distance.

Hotel Turna Malbun – The 3-star hotel in Malbun has spa facilities, a beautiful restaurant and is right near the lift Sareis. It is also great for the whole family.

Hotel Oberland – Located in the town of Triesenberg the hotel boasts fantastic views of the Liechtenstein and St. Gallen Rhine Valley.

What is there to do at Stausee Steg and Gänglesee?

Whilst the area is fairly small, there are still a lot of things that you can do whilst visiting Stausee Steg, plus, of course, relaxing and taking in the incredible surrounding views. The lake in Liechtenstein offers a variety of activities for outdoor and nature lovers including:

Hiking – The area around Stausee Steg is crisscrossed with scenic hiking trails that range from easy walks to more challenging routes. These trails offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and the peaceful reservoir itself.

Fishing – The reservoir is a popular spot for fishing, with its clear waters home to several species of fish. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful day of fishing surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the mountains.

Enjoy a picnic or a BBQ – Relax and take in the stunning scenery with a picnic or BBQ, there are spots dotted around the reservoir to have a fire or a BBQ.

Photography – The breathtaking landscape of Stausee Steg provides endless opportunities for photography, especially during sunrise or sunset when the light enhances the beauty of the surrounding mountains and water. Unfortunately, we arrived in thick fog and woke up to it as well, the next morning meaning we didn’t get to see the sunrise or sunset.

Enjoy a swim – You can swim in the beautiful waters of Stausee Steg and Gänglesee. If you visit on a hot day, cool off in the waters.

Visit the restaurant in Stausee Steg

The small, rustic restaurant in a traditional hut was actually closed when we visited and as far as we can gather is currently changing hands (September 2024). However, we have heard (and read reviews) that say nothing but, positive things about the little family-run restaurant in Liechtenstein, so hopefully this continues when it re-opens. Restaurant Seeblick is located at the tip of Gänglesee and Stausee Steg and serves traditional Swiss and European cuisine including Goulash, pasta dishes and salads.

Conclusion on visiting Stausee Steg and Gänglesee

The lakeside spot in Liechtenstein is one of the most underrated, beautiful spots that we have visited. If you’re visiting the nearby countries of Switzerland and Austria then we couldn’t recommend a stopover anymore.