DruckansichtGlarnerland (eastern switzerland) for holidays and hikings
- 400 m to 3600 m above sea level
- nearest alpine panorama
- only 70 km to Zurich
- Lake of Walenstadt (Walensee) and Lake Klöntal (Klöntalersee)
- Braunwald – a carfree village on a sunny terrace
- Elm – with its village center under preservation and Martin’s Hole (Martinsloch)
- Kerenzerberg – with its lake view terrace devoted to sport
- Urnerboden – the largest alpine pastureland in Switzerland near the Klausenpass
General information
Glarnerland, a narrow, steep-sided valley in south-eastern Switzerland is situated half way between Zurich and the Grisons region. It is an ideal area for an interesting break in your journey or for a few days' holiday on one of the sun terraces right opposite glaciers and impressive precipices. The two fjord like lakes called «Walensee» and «Klöntalersee» really tempt you to come hiking, camping or sailing.
Canton Glarus is one of the oldest cantons or provinces in Switzerland and still keeps up the original form of democracy with its «Landsgemeinde». This is when all the citizens who are entitled to vote foregather on the first Sunday in May in the main town of Glarus to discuss and decide on laws and tasks that are to be undertaken by the canton’s government.
Industry is also deeply rooted in Glarnerland. Hydro-electric power has been generated by the water of the river Linth for over two hundred years. In the old days, spinning mills, weaving mills and dye-works used this form of energy and exported their products all over the world. The old factories to-day still testify to those times. There is a museum in Näfels («Landesmuseum») where you can trace the development of the textile industry.
The canton of Glarus has another great claim to fame thanks to «Schabziger» – a hard cheese made with herbs which can be kept for a long time and is only produced here. Dairy products and agriculture are the main industries of the steep alpine pastures, producing other excellent cheeses. Another culinary speciality you shouldn’t miss is the «Glarner Pastete» – light-as-air pastry filled with dried plums and almonds. On the annual occasion of the «Landsgemeinde», all the Glarner citizens eat a traditional dish consisting of veal sausage and mashed potatoes. You really must try this dish in one of our many restaurants.
Hiking mountain biking, water sports and climbing
You simply must explore Glarnerland – a striking hiking region! There are over 300 km of well-marked paths, ranging from fairly flat walking paths to difficult mountain hikes that take several hours. Strenuous mountain bike routes contrast with the almost traffic-free 40 km long bicycle path from Linthal (650 m above sea level) alongside the river to Rapperswil on Lake Zurich. Lake Walenstadt (Walensee) tempts you to sail and swim.
Situated on its northern shore is Quinten, the only village in Switzerland that can only be reached on foot or by boat. The steep cliffs of the Glärnisch mountain are reflected in Klöntalersee (lake at 800 m above sea level). The people of Canton Glarus can fish, row, swim or pitch a tent at a camping site – all just about on their doorstep.
The mountain ranges of Canton Glarus tempt you to go climbing or undertake high altitude treks e.g. steep routes in Braunwald, climbing facilities and high altitude treks past SAC mountain huts on the Schilt mountain, Glärnisch or Tödi (the highest mountain in Glarnerland at 3612 m above sea level). If you don’t relish the idea of toiling up a mountain, you can do it the easy way by chair lift or by small cabin lifts to the alpine pastures way above Elm, Schwanden, Braunwald and Kerenzerberg. Enjoy the sunshine and the view at a mountain restaurant and you will experience the best kind of holiday in the mountains of Glarnerland. Kerenzerberg has one of the longest summertime slides («Rodelbahn» – a form of seat on rollers) for you to try out.
Family Holidays in Glarnerland
Toboggan runs in winter and the special slide in summer are awaiting you in Kerenzerberg. Discover a dwarf called Bartli in his original locations in Braunwald, visit the Landesmuseum in Näfels, hire bicycles for the entire family in Linthal or visit the Landesplattenberg. And last but not least, it’s worth visiting the «alpine town» of Glarus with its tempting shops. You can find indoor swimming pools in Näfels and in Filzbach (Kerenzerberg). There are outdoor pools in Schwanden, Glarus, Netstal and Näfels.
How to get to Glarnerland
By car: | Along the A3 from Basel via Zurich to Glarnerland – 150 km. |
By train: | Direct connections by Eurocity (with sleeping cars) – Basel – Zurich – direction of Chur. Change at Ziegelbrücke for Glarus – Linthal. |
By plane: | Zurich Airport – hourly connections by train to Glarnerland, taking 90 minutes. |
Good road from Niederurnen (A3) via Glarus – Schwanden – Linthal and Elm or via the Kerenzerberg range. To Klöntal and in the direction of Urnerboden – Klausenpass – Altdorf (max. width 2.3 m for cars and buses).
Train connections at hourly intervals from Zurich – Ziegelbrücke (change) to Glarus – Schwanden – Linthal.
Bus connections from Schwanden to Elm, from Glarus to Klöntalersee and from Näfels to Kerenzerberg.
Boat trips on the Lake of Walenstadt (Walensee) from Weesen to Quinten – Walenstadt.
Various lifts
Linthal – Braunwald
and Braunwald – Gumen/Grotzenbüel
Linthal – Tierfehd – Limmernsee
Elm – Empächli
Matt – Weissenberge
Schwanden – Kies – Mettmenalp
Filzbach – Kerenzerberg – Habergschwänd
Niederurnen – Morgenholz
Holiday resorts, accommodation and hostels
Braunwald, no cars, 1200 – 1450 m
8 hotels **-****, Swiss Youth Hostels, group accommodation and holiday flats. Located on a sunny terrace opposite the Tödi. Wonderful panoramic view.
Braunwald Tourist Office, CH-8784 Braunwald, +41 55 653 65 85, www.braunwald.ch
Elm, 1000 m
5 hotels **-****, group accommodation, guest houses and holiday flats. Romantically located high up in Sernftal near Panixer pass (hikingpath).
Elm Tourist Office, CH-8767 Elm, +41 55 642 60 60, www.elm.ch
Filzbach, 800 m
3 hotels, sport and holiday center, holiday flats. Located high above Lake of Walenstadt (Walensee) with a breathtaking view.
Sportbahnen Filzbach, CH-8757 Filzbach, +41 55 614 16 20, www.kerenzerberg.ch
Glarus, 500 m and Klöntal 800 m
5 hotels, including one ***house in Glarus; 2 hotels and 2 camping sites at Klöntalersee. Main town with attractive shops, intact. Rebuilt after fire in 1861. Bus connections to Klöntalersee.
Linthal-Rüti, 600 – 850 m
7 small hotels plus accommodation for very large groups and 5 SAC huts. Ideal departure point for excursions, directly at the foot of the Tödi mountain.
Linthal-Rüti Tourist Office, CH-8783 Linthal, +41 55 643 39 17, www.linthal.ch
Näfels and Mollis, 450 m
5 hotels, amongst which *** and accommodation in guest houses in the alpine areas above these two villages. Freuler Palace museum (Landesmuseum). Sports Centre (SGU Sportzentrum Glarner Unterland).
Glarnerland Tourist Office, Raststätte A3, 8867 Niederurnen, +41 55 610 21 25, www.glarnerland.ch
Schwanden, Schwändi 550-750 m
3 hotels, amongst which *** and guest house on Mettmenalp area. Departure point for excursions in direction of Sernftal-Elm and Linthal-Braunwald, as well as Mettmenalp.
Glarnerland Tourist Office, Raststätte A3, 8867 Niederurnen, +41 55 610 21 25, www.glarnerland.ch
Urnerboden 1400 m
2 small hotels – the wide open alpine area near the Klausen pass.
Tourist Office, CH-8751 Urnerboden, +41 55 643 17 05
FOR INFORMATION, RESERVATION OF ACCOMMODATION AND BROCHURES ON GLARNERLAND:
GLARNERLAND TOURIST OFFICE, Raststätte A3, CH-8867 NIEDERURNEN
Tel: +41 55 610 21 25 / Fax: +41 55 610 28 26
E-Mail info(at)glarnerland.ch, www.glarnerland.ch
Glarnerland in winter |
www.glarusnet.ch • kontakt(at)glarusnet.ch