Hiking along the Schwarzwasserbach from the Natural Bridge to the Kessellöcher
Tour description
This versatile hike leads from the Riezlern district Egg via the natural monument "Natural Bridge" along the Schwarzwasserbach to the natural monument "Kessellöcher". The beautiful route with many shaded sections and numerous cooling possibilities is perfect for hot summer days.
The hike starts from the Riezlern district Egg. After just a few minutes, directly on the trail is the Naturkneipp area Kesselschwand, one of the nature experience places in the Kleinwalsertal. The trail continues towards the Schwarzwasserbach and after a few meters goes down a few steps via a small ladder to the Natural Bridge. This is a naturally formed rock bridge over the Schwarzwasserbach, covered with fir trees. The trail then ascends through woods and meadows into the Hirschegg district Au. Here you get a nice view of the Ifen and the Schwarzwassertal, before the trail continues through the next section of forest above the rushing Schwarzwasserbach and past a beautiful waterfall. The hike continues straight towards the "Kessellöcher," where the path runs directly by the water - perfect for cooling your feet in the cold water of the Schwarzwasserbach. Then follows the next short but intense climb to a small viewing bridge. From here there is a fascinating view of the Kessellöcher, which were formed by thousands of years of water erosion. From here, several very steep steps lead up to Schwarzwassertalstraße and the Schröfle bus stop.
Riezlern
Hirschegg
Route description
Riezlern, Egg - Natur Kneipp area Kesselschwand - Natural bridge - Schwarzwasserbach path - Sports field Au - Kessellöcher - Schwarzwassertalstraße, Schröflesäge
Recommended equipment
EMERGENCY CALL:144 Alpine emergencies Vorarlberg112 European emergency number (works with any mobile phone/network)
Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing. Hiking poles recommended for steeper sections.
Further info & links
Tips
Canyoning guides offer canyoning routes in the Schwarzwasserbach (depending on water level).
For families with children, it is advisable to do the hike in reverse: then the Schwarzwasserbach can be discovered playfully: the Nature Explorer Adventure Schwarzwasserbach is located here. The necessary explorer books for this themed trail are available at the Walserhaus tourist information.
Further links
The Natural Bridge is a stone bridge spanning a large pool with a waterfall. The natural monument is typical of the erosion that water has carved out of the Schrattenkalk (stratified limestone). Due to the cave-forming and water-permeable Schrattenkalk, a bridge arch spanning over the stream bed has remained here.
During April to June, the Schwarzwasserbach carries a lot of water due to snowmelt, but from about July, the water volume decreases significantly and by the end of summer, the stream sometimes dries up completely in the absence of precipitation. Observing the play of water masses in the swirl holes is then not possible, but the details of the many erosions are particularly visible.
- Nature experience map, scale 1:12,000. Available (for a fee) at the tourist information in Walserhaus.
- Unlimited hiking in the Kleinwalsertal. Hiking and route map with hiking guide and panorama, scale 1:25,000. Available (for a fee) at the tourist information in Walserhaus.
- Alpine Club map Bavarian Alps, Kleinwalsertal BY2, scale 1:25,000