Top 20 Gorges around Hittisau

The region around Hittisau offers several captivating gorges. The Engenloch Gorge is particularly popular, known for its narrow path carved by the Bolgenach river and overhanging rocks, providing a cool and shady experience. Another notable spot is the Starzlach Valley (Rohrmoos Valley), which offers tranquil trails and a place to stop for a break. The Breitach Riverside Trail also provides a great natural spectacle along the river.

Yes, several gorges around Hittisau are suitable for families. The Engenloch Gorge is considered family-friendly, offering an accessible path. The Starzlach Valley (Rohrmoos Valley) and the Breitach Riverside Trail are also noted as family-friendly options, providing enjoyable experiences for all ages.

The gorges around Hittisau are characterized by their geological formations, primarily carved into Nagelfluh rock by rivers like the Bolgenach. In the Engenloch Gorge, you'll find narrow paths with overhanging rock formations. The nearby Kommaschlucht features the historic Kommabrücke, the oldest covered wooden bridge in Vorarlberg, spanning a 15-meter-deep gorge. Additionally, the Buchenegger Waterfalls showcase powerful water masses in one of Germany's last primeval forests.

The gorges around Hittisau can be visited year-round, offering different experiences with each season. The Engenloch Gorge is accessible throughout the year, providing fresh mountain air and stunning vistas. Summer offers cool, shady hikes, while autumn provides beautiful foliage. However, paths can be slippery, especially when wet, so good footwear is always recommended.

Yes, the region combines natural beauty with historical significance. In the Starzlach Valley (Rohrmoos Valley), you can visit the St. Anne Chapel, one of the oldest wooden chapels in Europe. The Kommaschlucht, adjacent to the Engenlochschlucht, is home to the Kommabrücke, the oldest covered wooden bridge in Vorarlberg, which has spanned the river for nearly 300 years. Both the Engenlochschlucht and Kommaschlucht are part of the Hittisauer Wasser-Wanderweg, a trail with informative signs about water usage and its historical significance.

Beyond hiking in the gorges, Hittisau offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can explore numerous cycling routes, such as the 'Toll Road to Lecknersee – Leckner Lake loop' or 'The Stag's Leap Gorge – Rohrmoos Valley loop'. For running enthusiasts, trails like the 'Path to the Bolgenach – Bolgenach Suspension Bridge loop' are available. Mountain biking is also popular, with routes like 'Lecknertal Valley – Alpe Höllritzen loop'. You can find more details on these activities in the cycling guide, running guide, and MTB guide for Hittisau.

Given that many trails, especially in gorges like the Buchenegger Waterfalls, can be steep and very slippery when wet, it is highly recommended to wear good footwear with strong grip. Surefootedness is often required. Layered clothing is advisable to adapt to changing mountain weather conditions.

Yes, you can find options for breaks and refreshments. In the Starzlach Valley (Rohrmoos Valley), the Rohmoos mountain inn offers a lovely place to stop for a break. Along the Breitach Riverside Trail, there is delicious food available at the Waldhaus before continuing your hike.

Parking availability varies by location. For example, it's important to note that since 2021, there is no longer any parking available directly in Buchenegg for accessing the Buchenegger Waterfalls. It's advisable to check specific access points for parking information before your visit.

Yes, beyond the well-known gorges, Hittisau offers other unique natural formations. The Rappenfluh, located in the Rappenfluh district, is a rock labyrinth formed by a massive landslide, creating cave-like passages and narrow paths. It's an interesting spot for exploration, especially for families with older children, though it requires good footwear. The Lecknertal valley, while not a steep gorge, is known for its beautiful alpine landscape, the Lecknersee (Lake Leckner), and numerous alps, featuring Nagelfluh rock formations from post-ice age rockfalls.

The gorges around Hittisau, such as the Engenlochschlucht and Kommaschlucht, are geologically young, having formed approximately 10,000 years ago from glacial meltwater after the last ice age. They were carved by the Bolgenach river into Nagelfluh rock, a type of conglomerate. The rapid erosion by enormous amounts of water in the thousands of years following the last ice age created their narrow and distinctive formations.

The trails offer varying difficulty levels. Gorges like the Engenloch Gorge are described as suitable for people with poor physical condition and little stiffness, offering a short but beautiful path. However, some sections, particularly near the Buchenegger Waterfalls or the Ifenmulde High Valley, can be demanding mountain hikes on stony and partly exposed paths, requiring surefootedness and a head for heights. Always check the specific trail description for difficulty.