Link to more route details: https://www.komoot.de/collection/900954/-via-alpina-3-10

From the Sücka spa house, walk southward along the alpine trail and climb slightly upward passing the holiday resort and typical farm buildings of Steg to the Alpelti alpine pastures. The route is well signposted and marked in white-red-white. Cross the slate outcrops of the Schwarze Wand using a narrower trail. Towards the south continue to the huts at the Gapfahl-Undersäss Alp. The mountain trail passes the alpine hut and crosses the Bärenwang on an almost level course. After crossing a little ravine, head eastward uphill to the Naaftal valley. Here, a pleasant meadow path in this moraine hollow continues in an eastward direction. It is worth while stopping for a moment to admire the mighty rock faces and eroded slopes of the Naafkopf peak. The welcoming sight of the Pfälzer Hut’s light grey walls can be seen from afar, but first a somewhat steeper climb must be tackled. The Pfälzer Hut on the Bettlerjoch pass at 2,108m is the rewarding destination and starting point for hikes in various directions. To the north, the Fürstin-Gina-Weg trail offers one of the loveliest and most flowery ridge hikes over the Augstenberg mountain into the Malbun valley. The Nenzinger Himmel area entices you into the valley towards the east. The climb to the panoramic Naafkopf is worthwhile. The Liechtensteinerweg trail leads to the Schesaplana peak, and Via Alpina continues further along the southern Rätikon high alpine trail.
A rather steep track heads westward from the Pfälzer Hut towards the valley, then takes an almost level course through the peaceful hollow of the Naaftal valley. It heads on northward through the Saminatal valley along the mountain trail across the alpine pastures of Gapfahl and Alpelti to Sücka, the stage destination.
(Johann Oehry / Ewald Oehry, AWNL)

The well located Sücka bovine pastureland used to be owned by the royal family with accommodation serving as hunting and spa lodge. In 1887, the community of Triesenberg was able to purchase this alp from the prince and extended the spa house. It became a popular meeting point for those seeking relaxation and for tourists. From Sücka, the view sweeps far through the narrow Saminatal valley northward as far as the Walgau area. The “Maiensäss” (summer settlement) of Steg is situated on the valley floor, at 1,300m above sea level. The cleverly arranged rectangular hut formation is most probably unique in the Alps. Within the rectangle lie the private hay meadows, and outside it the general, collectively owned meadowland. This is a brilliant way of optimising land use and farming methods. A well built merchant trail through sparse woodland brings you to the Alpelti, where the panoramic view over the impressive valley head with the Schwarzhorn, Yes-Fürkli and Naafkopf peaks and the plunging view over the Valüna Alp in Triesen can be enjoyed. A wealth of alpine flora along the narrow trail below the Schwarze Wand brightens up the piles of argillaceous and marl schist. The Gapfahl-Undersäss Alp lies on a local moraine. Does the Bärenwang with its lush tall forb get its name from the bears of the past (in German Bären) or from the many berries (Beeren)? The beautifully located hollow of the Naaftal valley is a moraine. The distinctive layered rock of the Naafkopf peak rise up to the right (Rote Wand/Couches rouges). The three countries meet on the Naafkopf at 2,570m: the Principality of Liechtenstein, Austria (Vorarlberg) and Switzerland (Grisons). Pfälzer Hut: The Pfälzer Hut is located at the Bettlerjoch pass (2,108m), the crossing from the Saminatal valley into the Gamperdonatal valley (Nenzinger Himmel), which translates as “Beggars’ pass”. According to legend, “Schmalzbettler” (lard beggars) came over the Vermaleshöhe pass in days gone by and in the terrible autumn storm froze and turned to stone. The name of the pass and the distinctive boulders to the south of the hut would suggest such an event. The refuge was built in 1927 by the Palatinat (Pfälzer) sections of the German and Austrian Alpine Club. All of the wood for building was donated by Prince Johann II. The opening was celebrated on 5 August 1928. The Second World War put an end to the lively activity there. Slowly, the hut started to fall into ruin, and in post-war year 1945 it was broken into by Moroccan occupation soldiers. The Liechtenstein Alpine Club purchased the Pfälzer Hut in 1950. After long wrangles with the German Alpine Club, it was possible to come to an amicable arrangement in 1964, thus founding a lasting friendship with the Pfalz people.
(Johann Oehry / Ewald Oehry, AWNL)