Viggarbach

The Viggarbach is a small river in the Tyrol region of Austria. It begins at Blauer See, a mountain lake that sits on the edge of the Tux Alps. The stream flows west through a narrow valley of the same name before joining the Sill near Schönberg. Its total length is just over ten kilometres. The water stays exceptionally clean throughout its course, rated Grade A quality. The river remains calm under normal conditions but can swell dangerously after heavy rain. Because nearby villages lie farther from the banks, flooding rarely threatens homes or farms. The Blauer See itself covers less than one hectare and holds about twenty-four thousand cubic metres of water. Its clear blue colour gives the lake its name. Visitors follow a path along the Viggarbach’s banks to reach Blauer See. The route winds through quiet woodland and open meadows typical of the Alps. At the lake, a small dam holds back the water before it spills into the river below. The surrounding peaks of the Tux Alps rise steeply on either side, offering sharp contrasts of green and grey. The air stays cool even in summer, and the only sounds are rushing water and birdsong.