Rappenloch bridge, Beam bridge over the Rappenloch gorge in Dornbirn, 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.

A wooden bridge was first recorded at this spot in 1791, carrying the route between Dornbirn and the mountain village of Ebnit over the Rappenloch gorge. A rockfall in 2011 brought it down, and after a second rockslide in 2020 the present steel and concrete beam bridge was built.

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 Rappenloch gorge below the bridge is one of Vorarlberg's most visited natural monuments, and the 2011 rockfall that destroyed the old bridge also dammed the river, creating a small lake in the gorge. The bridge was rebuilt higher up the slope to keep the trail open.