Rappenloch bridge, series of bridges that have crossed the Rappenloch gorge, Austria
The Rappenloch bridge is a beam bridge in Dornbirn, Austria, that crosses a deep gorge and connects the town with the mountain village of Ebnit. The structure is made of steel and concrete, offering hikers a safe path through steep terrain marked by rocky walls carved by a river.
The first wooden bridge at this location was built in 1791 to connect people between Dornbirn and Ebnit. After a major rockfall in 2011 destroyed it, another rockslide in 2020 led to the construction of the current steel and concrete structure.
The name Rappenloch has several possible origins tied to the local landscape. Some interpretations connect it to black horses visible in the rock formations, while others link it to birds like ravens or the Waldrapp, an ibis species that nests on the cliffs.
The bridge is part of a hiking trail system with marked paths and viewpoints that allow visitors to see the gorge and rock formations from different angles. Wear sturdy footwear and be aware of local conditions, as the terrain is steep and weather can affect trail conditions.
The gorge was carved into limestone by water over thousands of years, and the process continues today with frost and fractures causing regular small rockfalls. This ongoing natural activity makes the area a living example of how landscapes are actively shaped.
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