The Valley

Kleinwalsertal has approx.. 5000 inhabitants and extends on a surface of 97 km². It is around 15 km long and around 6.5 km wide.

"Encircled" by mountains the valley is only attainable by car over German federal territory. In order to arrive on Austrian terrain from here, one must either be an extremely fit hiker or take on an approx. 45km trip with the car. For this reason it is also in the customs union area since 1891, in order to relieve the population of valley financially. The official currency of Kleinwalsertal was the D-mark for many years. However, with the European Union entry, the associated Schengener agreement and the euro-conversion the "customs union status" implications for the valley are always diminishing. 

As the third biggest  tourist destination in Austria, Kleinwalsertal attracts each year thousands of tourists, both in summer and in winter. The impressing mountain panorama and the natural snow play a large role in this.

Also the proverbial Walser hospitality helps to create a completely pleasant atmosphere for the guests.

Riezlern (1086 m)

Riezlern, situated at the start of the valley, is with its local areas Wald, Schwende, Unterwestegg and Egg the largest village in Kleinwalsertal. It contains the offices of the Gemeinde, who are responsible for all four localities (municipality Mittelberg).

The church tower of the parish church Maria Opferung dominates the horizon in this village. In addition the Casino Kleinwalsertal (the smallest gaming house of Austria), the free swimming pool and the Kanzelwandbahn are also located in Riezlern.

The recreation area is availible for all to use.

Important establishments for the population of the valley are the valuable recycling centre, the social center and the school.

Hirschegg (1122 m)

Continuing along the Walserstraße you'll arrive in Hirschegg with its local areas Au, Wäldele, Letze, Nebenwasser and Dürenboden.

In the centre of this village one finds the parish church St. Anna, the elementary school with the kindergarden and the Walserhaus next to the village square. This is used on the one hand as a meeting center, but also here you'll find the main tourism offices , the ski museum and the Bergschau1122.

The Ifen ski area and the evangelic church are also in Hirschegg.

Mittelberg (1215 m)

Mittelberg is the name given to the entire municipality and the first settlement. In addition the local areas Tobel, Hoefle, Schwendle, Stütze and Bödmen belong to this village. 

At the highest point of the village stands the parish church St. Jodok with the oldest church tower in Kleinwalsertal. In proximity you'll find here the elementary school with a kindergarden and the Walmendingerhornbahn.

From the Schwendle one can reach through hiking, Wildental and from Bödmen, Gemsteltal.

Baad (1244 m)

Baad is both the smallest and the highest place in Kleinwalsertal. From here you can only go further by walking, since Baad is completely surrounded by mountains. 

For numerous hiking trips into the surrounding valleys (Baerguntvalley, Derravalley, Starzelvalley) Baad is the starting point. The Breitach starts from the Baerguntriver, the Derrariver and the Durariver at this point. The mountain church St. Martin was built a little elevated. Earlier there was a natural sulfur spring here but unfortunately this no longer exists.