Alfenz

The Alfenz is a river in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, flowing through the Klostertal valley. It begins where the Flexenbach and Rauzbach streams meet near Stuben, then travels west for about 26 kilometres before joining the Ill River just east of Bludenz. The river has shaped the valley over time, carving its path through the Northern Limestone Alps and carrying rocks from both the limestone range and the Silvretta Crystalline further south. The S16 expressway runs alongside the Alfenz, linking villages such as Klösterle and Dalaas. The Alfenz marks part of the European watershed, separating waters that flow into the Rhine basin from those heading toward the Danube. Near its source, the river sits close to this divide, where water on one side travels west to the North Sea and on the other east to the Black Sea. The landscape around the Alfenz shows the power of flowing water, with rocky banks and sediment carried downstream over centuries. Visitors to the Alfenz can follow its course through the Klostertal valley, where the river runs clear and swift between steep slopes. The surrounding mountains rise sharply, with limestone cliffs on one side and crystalline rock formations on the other. The valley road and expressway provide easy access to viewpoints where the river’s swift current and the rugged terrain can be seen. Small villages along the way offer places to stop and take in the scenery. The contrast between the river’s gentle flow and the dramatic alpine setting makes it a quiet but striking destination.