Border between Vorarlberg and Tyrol | | |
The Arlberg Pass, at 1793 metres above sea level, separates Vorarlberg from Tyrol. In the 14th century it was just a mule track for the salt trade, but the development of the textile industry and postal services necessitated the opening of a road in 1824, which became insufficient in the 20th century. Since 1978, a 14km long road tunnel connects Klösterle to Sankt Anton am Arlberg for a fee, making it possible to avoid the pass. |
Inn Valley | | |
The hamlet of Lafairs lies in the valley of the Inn ("En" in Romansh), a 517km long river which originates in Graubünden, Switzerland, and which gave its name to the Engadine (with an imaginary etymology of "Garden of the Inn"). Downstream, the Inn flows through the Tyrol and its capital Innsbruck (whose name means "Inn Bridge") before flowing into the Danube at Passau in Bavaria. Upstream, the Inn receives a tributary, the Stillebach, which has carved out the valley leading up to the Resia Pass (Reschenpass) and the Italian Tyrol. |
Stillebach Valley | | |
We are here at the bottom station of the Zirmbahn cable car, just above the village of Nauders. In winter the region is a ski resort, but from spring onwards it is a paradise for mountain bikers and hikers. When we passed here at the end of May 2022, the Green Days, a large mountain bike event, was taking place. Further up, we will pass the Reschenpass (Resia Pass) and continue our "Switzerland Tour outside Switzerland" into Italian territory. |