ATCHLIn is a long established tripoint dating back to 1434. ATCH & CHFL agreements locate the tripoint at the intersection of the Alpenrhein river with the border demarcated by the border markers on each side of the Rhine BM#135 in Austria and BM#136 in Switzerland. BM#135 is commonly described as marking the westernmost point of Austria which an added point of interest. Of course the actual point is the wet tripoint in the Rhine. BM#136 is the tripoint marker. As part of our visit to this tripoint we crossed the aptly named Rheinbrücke located approximately 474m north east, the Bangs-Lienz border crossing allowed us to explore the tripoint from the Austria/Liechtenstein side and from the Swiss side.

The tripoint itself is very picturesque, in the Rhine valley and there are several nearby points of interest. Unfortunately exploring the AT/FL border was not possible on this visit with its many closely located border markers. After leaving the bridge (on either side) there are a series of AT/CH indirect border markers leading to the 2 respective border markers mentioned above. We visited this point as part of the IBRG LIVCO-25 expedition. This is Tripoint #34 for me. My other European tripoint visits are reported here

Interestingly, and something I have not noticed before is the wet tripoint is designated #136, and then there is an indirect tripoint marker #136RM.

Austrian/Liechtenstein side

The Austria – Switzerland – Liechtenstein tripoint can be explored from both sides. Leaving the bridge, we walked along the eastern bank of the Rhine, the first border POI’s were ATCH markers #1 to #6 (in declining order)

AT/CH border markers

BM#133 & signs

After a short walk we reached the Austria – Liechtenstein border and the impressive BM#133 with additional border related signs.

BM#134

Walking northwest along the border, and down a steep slope, BM#134 is soon reached, and BM#135, the westernmost point of Austria is visible across the field.

BM#135 and westernmost point of Austria

Group celebration and exploration of the final marker on the Austria/Liechtenstein border. This is a beautiful spot and is worthwhile allocating enough time to be able to enjoy it to the full. The actual westernmost point is in the river but we were happy to celebrate the point here.

Swiss Side

Two of us decided to explore the Swiss side of the river. Leaving the bridge, Mike and I walked along the western bank of the Rhine, the first border POI’s were ATCH markers #1 to #6 (in declining order)

AT/CH border markers

BM#136 RM, the tripoint marker

This is the official tripoint marker. On the top is an arrow pointing in the direction of the tripoint. On the side there is the RM designation, meaning Rhine -Mitte (Middle of the Rhine) noting the actual location of the tripoint (which is marked BM#136) on the official map above but there is no buoy there. The marker is also #1 on the AT/CH border

Views of the tripoint

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