Rappenlochschlucht

The Dornbirner Ache cuts the Rappenloch into the Bregenzerwald limestone above the Gütle on the edge of Dornbirn, and it is often described as one of the largest gorges in central Europe - a slot several hundred metres long with high walls, walked on a path and galleries beside the water. Above it lie the Alploch gorge and the Staufensee, a small reservoir built in 1901 to power a textile mill, which is what the whole Gütle complex was built around. In 2011 a rockfall took out the main gorge bridge; the route was closed for years and reopened after a rebuild with new structures, and further slides have closed it again since - so checking the current status before going is not optional here. The Rolls-Royce museum sits at the entrance in the old mill.

What you actually see

• A large limestone gorge - several hundred metres of slot above Dornbirn.
• The Staufensee - the 1901 reservoir built to power the textile mill below.
• The Alploch continuation - the second gorge above, on the same walking route.
• A rebuilt route - reopened after the 2011 rockfall took the bridge out.

When to go

May to October; check the gorge is open before travelling. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The route has closed repeatedly after rockfall and may be shut - confirm the current status. Boards are wet and slippery. Parking at the Gütle is limited and fills at weekends.

Nearby

Dornbirn is below; the Bregenzerwald runs east; Bregenz is north.