Linth Valley

From Netstal a road (postal bus in summer) and footpath cross the Schwammhöhe (superb views of the Glarus mountains) into the Klöntal (850 m/2,789ft), one of the most beautiful and romantic of Alpine valleys, with the Klöntalersee and a series of tumultuous mountain streams. The lake was almost doubled in size by the construction of a dam.

The finest building in the canton of Glarus is the Freulerpalast with a magnificent Renaissance doorway and Early Baroque interior. Built by Colonel Kaspar Freuler, commander of the Swiss guard in France, it has been occupied by the Cantonal Museum since 1942 and contains collections regarding the history of textile printing plus, weapons, uniforms and flags.

From Linthal (parking garage) the Braunwaldbahn (length 1,314 m/4,311ft, time 10 minutes) ascends to the only traffic-free mountain and holiday resort in eastern Switzerland, Braunwald (1,256 m/4,121ft; pop. 500), an ideal jumping-off point for walking and climbing. Experimental rhododendron nursery (open July and August). Musical festival in July. Chairlift to Gumen mountain inn (1,900 m/6,234ft).

The last settlement in the main Linth valley is Linthal (653 m/2,142ft; pop. 1400), with mighty mountains rearing above the little town. Selbsanft (3,029 m/9,938ft) lies above the artificial lakes supplying the Linth-Limmern hydroelectric scheme, with the Gries glacier; the Bifertenstock (3,426 m/10,722ft) and Tödi (3,614 m/11,858ft). Tierfehd, 5km/3mi south is a good base for walks and climbs in the Tödi group.

Näfels shares a railroad station with its twin town of Mollis (444 m/1,457ft). In the Steinacker is the birthplace of the Glarus humanist Heinrich Loriti (1488-1563), who was crowned as poet laureate by the Emperor Maximilian. On the road up the Kerenzerberg are Obstalden and Filzbach (sports facility, with a public indoor swimming pool).

Netstal (453 m/1,486ft; pop. 2,800) is a long straggling village surrounded by hillocks formed by landslides of the past, with some industry and a hydroelectric power station (50,000 kW) built in 1909. The Late Baroque village church is a statutorily protected ancient monument.

From Niederurnen (432 m/1,417ft; pop. 3,500) there is a footpath up the Rebburg to the Schlössli (Burg Oberwindegg), with fine views of the Linth plain and the Walensee. The path then continues to Oberurnen (432 m/ 1,417ft) with a view of the Glarus Alps.

From Näfels a steep road climbs to a charming little lake, the Obersee (989 m/3,245ft).

From Schwanden an attractive detour can be made into the Sernf valley (also known as the Kleintal); the road runs via Engi and Matt (oldest church in Glarus, 1261) and comes in 15km/9mi to Elm (977 m/3,206ft; pop. 800), in a quiet and secluded area which offers excellent walking.