Kleinwalsertal, Alpine valley in Vorarlberg, Austria.
Kleinwalsertal is a 13-kilometer alpine valley in northeast Vorarlberg surrounded by mountain ranges and containing three villages along the Breitach river. The valley floor rises gradually from 1087 meters (3566 feet) at Riezlern to 1244 meters (4081 feet) at Baad while remaining relatively flat and wide.
Walser settlers from Oberwallis arrived in the valley during the 13th century bringing their Alemannic language and customs. The community developed in isolation from surrounding Austrian regions which helped preserve its distinct identity over centuries.
Residents speak an Alemannic dialect closer to Swiss German than to standard Austrian. Local restaurants serve Käsespätzle made with mountain cheese produced in the surrounding farms.
Free bus service connects all villages and provides access to hiking trails, ski areas and local shops throughout the year. Most walking routes start directly from bus stops and are well marked with yellow signposts along the way.
The valley belongs geographically to Austria but can only be reached through Germany and therefore uses the euro currency along with German postal codes. Mobile phone networks switch automatically between Austrian and German providers at the border crossing.
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