Glarus is where a deep and narrow valley opens up to reveal a world of vertical walls and high glaciers. You find yourself in one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country where the mountains rise straight up from the valley floor. The road ends at the stunning Klöntalersee, a mirror like lake surrounded by massive cliffs. It is a place for people who want to feel the raw power of the Alps away from the crowds.
The history of the region is unique and focuses on the power of the people and their open air assembly. You can visit the town of Glarus to see the tidy streets and the textile history. The Sardinien tectonic arena is where you can see the layers of the earth pushed over each other. The roads are quiet and lead to remote mountain huts and rushing waterfalls.
This is a region for hikers and climbers who love the steep and the wild. You can taste the famous Schabziger herb cheese which has been made here for centuries. The atmosphere has a strong focus on the natural world. Glarus is a hidden corridor into the high Alps. It offers a sense of discovery that is hard to find in the bigger cantons.
Glarus (canton) highlights
- Klöntalersee Lake Drive to a mirror like lake surrounded by vertical cliffs that look like the fjords of the north. It is one of the most beautiful and quiet spots in the country.
- Sardinien Tectonic Arena See the line where old mountain layers were pushed over younger ones. The dramatic cliffs tell the story of the earth's movement.
- Glarus Town Hall Explore the center of the smallest regional capital which was rebuilt in a tidy grid after a fire. It is the site of the famous open air democratic assembly.
- Berglistüber Waterfall Walk behind a massive curtain of water in a hidden forest canyon just off the main road. It is a magical and powerful natural sight that is easy to reach.
- Braunwald Car Free Village Take the funicular to a sunny terrace with no cars and massive mountain views. It is a hub for family hiking and climbing.
- Zigerstöckli Factory Learn about the world's oldest trademarked herb cheese which is famous for its unique green color. You can taste the spicy local specialty in many village shops.
- Elm Giant's Hole Look for the natural hole in the rock where the sun shines through twice a year to hit the village church. The jagged peaks around Elm are rugged and beautiful.
- Linth Limmern Dam Visit one of the highest dams in the world located in a high alpine valley reached by a massive tunnel. The engineering scale is truly mind blowing.
- Obersee Lake Follow a narrow winding road to a quiet mountain lake hidden in a high forest bowl. It is a hidden gem for wild camping and peaceful morning reflections.
- Mettmen Reservoir Take a small cable car to a high plateau that is part of the oldest game reserve in Europe. You can often spot ibex and chamois on the rocky slopes.
The local Four
History of Glarus (canton)
Glarus is the Swiss canton of vertical walls and radical democracy. The history of this deep valley is defined by an ancient form of government where citizens gather in the town square to vote by a show of hands. This self rule was forged in the isolation of the high mountains where the sheer cliffs forced the people to rely on each other. Since the 1300s the people have held their own destiny in their hands under the peaks.
The Industrial Revolution brought a surprising change to this rugged mountain realm. In the 1800s the valley became a world leader in printed textiles. Massive mills were built along the rushing waterfalls to create colorful fabrics that were exported across the globe. This era turned mountain farmers into skilled industrial workers creating a unique society where modern factories sat in the shadow of massive glaciers.
The landscape itself holds a history that is written in the stone. Scientists discovered here how mountains were formed by watching old rock layers push over younger ones in a massive geological event. Driving to the end of the road at Lake Klontal you feel the weight of this ancient history. It is a story of a people as sturdy as the granite walls around them where the history of freedom and the earth are carved into the same rock.