Alvier

The Alvier is a mountain stream in Vorarlberg, Austria. It flows through the Brandnertal valley, passing the villages of Brand and Bürs before joining the Ill river. The fast-moving waters have carved deep pools called Kolks in the riverbed, where river and rainbow trout live. The river’s water is so clean it meets drinking standards. In summer, the stream stays refreshingly cool even when the sun is high. The Alvier feeds the Alvierbad in Brand, a 14-hectare open-air swimming area. The bath uses aquatic plants to keep the water clean without chemicals. The Alpenregion Guest Card allows free entry to the pool in summer. The water temperature stays pleasant even on hot days. The bath blends naturally with the surrounding landscape. Visitors find a quiet spot beside the river upstream of the bath. Anglers often stand in the Kolks hoping to catch trout. The open-air bath has lawns for sunbathing and shaded areas for resting. The valley sides rise steeply, covered in forests and alpine meadows. The clear water reflects the green slopes in calm sections of the stream.