Stage 01

The first leg of the Via Glaralpina goes from the valley up to the first peaks of Glarnerland, starting from the villages of Ziegelbrücke and Niederurnen, from there to Hirzli and Planggenstock. South of the Hirzli, you leave the foothills of the alps. After finding summit bliss and comfortable rest go onwards to Niederurner Tal. The night’s lodging at the log cabin with open fireplaces is an idyllic place, pure forest and nature.

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Stage 02

The second leg of the Via Glaralpina long-distance trail goes from Niederurner Tal over the Wänifurggel to Brüggler. The ridge of Schrattenkalkgrat is passable via an Alpine hiking path (marked in white-blue-white) and leads through partly exposed terrain – the view and the experience are unique. It is important to hold on tight and to walk cautiously over the ridge. At the end of this leg, after Boggenmoor, the Obersee is a nice lake to make a small break before tackling the last 1.5 hours walk to the place to stay in Rautihüttli (Rautihütten).

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Stage 03

The third Via Glaralpina leg takes you over Obersee via Grapplialp and Geisschappel to Rautispitz or one could choose the rewarding detour past the Rautihütten and the majestic Arvenwald. One recognises the Swiss stone pines with the round crown and fascicle, a cluster of 5 needles. From Rautihütten you can also reach Rautispitz and carry on to Wiggis, a phenomenal long-distance view down towards Netstal and Walensee. The route takes you over Aueren and Deyen to Klöntal.

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Stage 04

Starting from Klöntal, the fourth leg takes you to the first SAC-Hütte on the Via Glaralpina: the Glärnischhütte SAC. First, go beyond the Klöntalersee Dam, the hiking route follows along until Richisau. Great opportunity to make a splash, jump out of the forest and dive into the lake. Later on, near the restaurant Richisau, there is a primordial power, in the area of the copse where 300-year-old sycamore trees grow., Then you go further along through Timmerwald. Refuel and enjoy is the motto, together with tiger lilies and fire lilies along the path to Glärnischhütte SAC.

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Stage 06

The sixth leg of the Via Glaralpina takes you into the canton of Schwyz. From Ortstockhaus initially go downwards towards Bergentenseeli / Brächalp. There are plenty of plants known as monkshood, a poisonous flora commonly seen in this area. With this new acquired botanical knowledge head towards the Bärentritt. This pass has secure chains. Continue further via Ortstock-Furggele down toward Glattalphütte SAC.

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Stage 07

Pale grey limestone pavement accompanies you along the seventh leg of the Via Glaralpina: from the vast Glattalp, it leads you to the Inner Brüelchälen, which takes you through to the Mären plateau, towards Firnerloch. The expansive area of 50 square kilometres between Pragel and Klausenpass is the largest continuous natural karst landform in Switzerland. Enjoy the surroundings, cows lazily graze in summer, upon your descent to the largest alp in Switzerland, before arriving at Gasthaus Urnerboden whereupon a dinner and soft bed welcome you.

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Stage 08

On leg eight of the Via Glaralpina, the passionate hiker walks the path of the glacier flea. If the possibility arises, a detour can lead you close to the edge of the impressive Clariden Glacier. When looking down from the Gämsfairenjoch, the glacial expanse stretches out below.

In this high alpine landscape, follow the hiking trail facing the mighty Bifertenstock and the Tödi, then on to the final destination of this leg, the Claridenhütte SAC.

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Stage 09

Alpine charms await you on leg nine. From the comfortable modern Claridenhütte SAC make your way to the Fridolinshütte SAC, via the Beggilüggi trek through the wildlife garden spruced with Edelweiss towards Obersand. Take a moment to linger in this expansive Alp with its glacial streams and beautiful flowers. Enjoy the sun, savour the fresh crisp air of the alps, then leisurely hike to Rötibach, then further on to Ochsenstock and soon onto the overnight lodge, the Fridolinshütte SAC, which defies the imposing walls of Tödi and Biferten.

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Stage 10

Take a worthwhile early-morning detour to the Grünhornhütte, Switzerland’s first SAC hut, on leg 10. Visually spectacular, balanced on a rock and centred within the Biferten glacier, the hut is an hour’s hike from Fridolinshütte SAC. Then back at Fridolinshütte, luxuriant in the view with a warming cup of coffee, prepare for the descent, taking you over Tänntiwang, past grazing sheep to Hinter Sand, from there to the source of the Linth. Before the final stretch to the cosy Berggasthaus Obbort, from Tierfed take a moment’s pause and appreciate the Pantenbrücke.

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Stage 11

The eleventh leg is challenging along the lower section, from the Berggasthaus Obbort to the Alp Baumgarten, the very steep and strenuous trail leads you through exposed paths secured with chains. Worth the challenge for a direct view of the majestic Tödi. Stop at the alpine huts to pick up a tasty Alpkäse before tackling the last steep part over the Geisstritt, the trail is secured with chains. Look back to see the phenomenal view of the alp aligned with the longest dry stone wall in Switzerland. Another chained trail via Chalchtrittli, where you continue onwards to Nüschenalp and Muttenwändli. The final stretch takes you to Muttseehütte SAC, where there is a good chance you’ll see a herd of ibex make their way to the hut in the evening.

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Stage 12

The motto on the twelfth stage is: simply enjoy! The first few metres of the hike are on exceptional terrain. The Muttsee Dam is the highest located of its kind in Europe and the longest in Switzerland. Crossing over an approximately one-kilometre wall makes for an impressive hike. With the contrasting panorama of the Muttsee on the left and lakelets on the right. Follow the trail, marked in white-red-white, up to the dramatic Kistenpasshütte SAC as it clings to the rocks like an eagle’s nest. The Via Glaralpina leads you along the alpine hiking trail - marked in white-blue-white - to the summit of the Muttenberge. The final descent on this leg brings you to the Bifertenhütte AAC via Kistenpass.

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Stage 13

Get an early start for the thirteenth leg. From the Bifertenhütte AAC, this hiking trail leads you to the foothills of Hausstock, passing by an untouched landscape beyond the Falla Lenn. Be immersed within a craggy landscape, made up of an assortment of boulders and rock surfaces with colourful splashes dotted here and there, as one would expect on the surface of the moon or the seabed. The ridge of the basin gives you a clear bird’s-eye view of the lush alpine valley, inviting you to take a moment to take a breath. The path then continues into the direction of Panixerpass (Pass dil Veptga). Before reaching the Pass you descend intothe ravine towards the stream, once you reach the other side, make your way up the (not so tough) switchback. Take a rewarding break at the Panixerpass. You’ll find a simple lodging, a Hüttli, at the same spot the Russian General Suworow, in 1799, spent under the open night sky.

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Stage 14

Experience the King’s Stage on the fourteenth leg of the Via Glaralpina, leading you to the highest point of this circular route. Loop up over the Bündner Vorab which stands at 3028 metres above sea level, then over the Vorabsattel to the Glarner Vorab at 3018 metres above sea level. The sensation of being so high up is phenomenal, with its breathtaking vistas down to Elm and “Chlytal”. To get to the summit, ascend the Panixerpass (Pass dil Veptga) via the alpine hiking trail of the Rotstockseeli, soothe your feet in the water, from there to the Sether Hut, which is private and unattended. Step cautiously over the ridge to get to the summit of Vorab. Further on, following the edge of the Vorabfirn and later via Schwarzwändli, with chains to make the descent easier, to the final destination of the leg, the Martinsmadhütte SAC, which is in the middle of the Tectonic Arena Sardona UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

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Stage 15

Along the fifteenth leg, get close up to the Tectonic Arena Sardona World Heritage Site: following the descent from the Martinsmadhütte SAC to Tschinglen, you can see the famous rock window on the right, the Martinsloch in the Tschingelhörner. Worth a stop at the Tschinglenwirtschaft, where the Tschinglen team serves delicious cakes and dishes. An impressive stretch awaits you after the short rest in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: An interesting mountain trail leads downhill through the Tschinglen Gorge and shows the sheer magnitude of this gorge. Back at the bottom station of the Tschinglen cable car, it's time for another drink, a bite to eat and on we go - uphill again, to the summit destination of the Fanenstock. It is certainly rewarding to climb this grassy ridge with its wonderful tranquillity, even though the climb is strenuous. And once again it's time to lace up your shoes, heft up your rucksack and carefully descend along the now white-blue-white alpine hiking trail to the Stuelegghoren and then into the Chrauchtal - to then cover the last few metres of altitude to the Weissenberge, to the final destination of this long stage, the Berggasthaus Edelwyss.

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Stage 16

Leg sixteen of the Via Glaralpina offers an impressive ridge hike over two scenically and geologically interesting peaks. Starting from the Weissenberge to the Stäfeli and via Zindelchopf then uphill to Sunnenhöreli. The route then continues via the alpine hiking trail to the Gulderstock.

Accompanied by the colours of the Verrucano from red to violet to greenish, via the Guldergrat, you reach the Teufgrätli. At this point, you’ll get to a ridge, the spectacular Gipsgrat, which provides a lot of history with its distinguishable stark snow-white colour. In the 1840s, this gypsum-containing rock was carried down to Engi by the locals by the hundredweight. Onwards via the Wissmeilenpass, turn off into the Mülibachtal and soon reach the final destination, the cosy Skihütte Mülibachtal.

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Stage 17

Via volcanic rock ridges, leg seventeen leads to a panoramic hike with the peaks of the Glarus standing guard: From the Mülibachtal ski hut, first head towards Murgsee to the Widersteinerhüttli, then descend about 30 metres towards Engi and leave the mountain trail to the right and cross the Widersteiner stream (it is marked). And then it's over the Chüebüch, marked white-blue-white, over these bulbous rock formations, which have beautiful, dark Verrucano slabs in the upper part. So it's off to Gufelstock and then the scenic hike begins with a view of the Fessis-Seeli, via Höch, Chli Höch and Heustock - where ibex can also be found from time to time - to Schwarzstöckli, the point where all three Glarus municipalities border each other. Over the Wiss-Chamm to the red earth on Rotärd and via Fronalppass soon to today's final destination, the Naturfreundehaus Fronalp.

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Stage 18

The penultimate leg of the Via Glaralpina awaits you, a bittersweet moment, acknowledging you will soon be back on the valley floor. From the Naturfreundehaus Fronalp, you head towards Fronalp Unterstafel and at the junction there you follow the path to Hofalpli, where the alpine stories and atmosphere resonates. The last alpine hiking trail with white-blue-white markings with some exposed sections are secured with chains - leads towards Fedensattel and Nüenchamm. The deep blue Walensee is within sight. Take the mountain trail to Habergschwänd, where you can stop for a bite to eat, then slowly make your way down the valley to Filzbach and check into your room at the Seminarhotel Lihn.

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Stage 19

Via Glaralpina comes full circle. Enjoy breakfast and the view of Walensee at the Seminarhotel Lihn. Relax and prepare to tackle the nineteenth leg. Starting just in front of the hotel the trail leads downhill and reaches the mouth of the Escherkanal at the Linth. The Via Glaralpina hiking guide contains fascinating information about this impressive structure and the moving history of the construction of the Linth. The trail flattens out at this point, winding along the shore path to the Gäsi campsite where you can dip your toe in or treat yourself to relaxing swim in the beautiful Walensee before making the final walk back towards Ziegelbrücke railway station. Back to the starting point of the Via Glaralpina, which has taken you on a journey, discovering a wealth of treasures, covering roughly 230 kilometres, alpine-hiking and descending an impressive 18,500 metres, all the while taking you on an adventure around Glarnerland.

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To all stages

Get an overview of all routes with more details in German here.