page_title: Alb (High Rhine)
section_title: Alb Gorge
hierarchical_section_title: Alb (High Rhine) / Alb Gorge
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Teufelsküche, Gletschertopf im Albtal
context_page_description: The Alb is a river in the Black Forest. It arises from two headwaters, the Menzenschwander Alb and Bernauer Alb and flows in a southerly direction. It ends after 43.6 kilometres at a confluence with the High Rhine at Albbruck.
context_section_description: The slope of the Alps increased greatly in the ravines and the river forces its way through the more canyon-like passages and blocked sections known as the Teufelsküche ("Devil's Kitchen").  The Ibach and Höllbach join from the right, each emerging from its own narrow gorge.  The Höllbach has two waterfalls in this area.  Because the gorge is so narrow, the road is up to 80 metres (260 ft) higher, on the left bank.  On a wider spot in the valley, is the saw mill Tiefenstein and two tributaries, Schildbach and Steinbach.  Halfway up the slope, there are granite quarries and the ruins of two castles.  The narrowest and most dangerous passage begins 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) downstream of Tiefenstein.  Long ago, the Alb followed a different course and flowed to Hauenstein through the valley now occupied by the Mühlbach.  This route was blocked by glacial deposits during an earlier ice age, forcing the Alb to find a new route to the Rhine.  Since then, the "new" gorge cuts through the granite rock.  This section cannot be travelled without special equipment, even though the water flow is usually low, because most of the water has been diverted.  It there is sufficient water, canoeing is possible, although this is considered the most difficult stretch of whitewater in Germany.  In this section the road runs up to 100 metres (330 ft) above the river and passes through five short tunnels drilled through the cliffs, giving it the nickname "Axenstraße of the Black Forest".  From the hamlet Hohenfels, the road descends to the valley floor at Albbruck, where the Alb flows into the High Rhine.
caption: Teufelsküche, a giant's kettle in the Alb valley
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