Glarus

Geographical and natural wonders in Canton Glarus

This picturesque canton is home to:

• Majestic Alpine Lakes – see below for more details
  • Klöntalersee & Obersee – both reachable by car and bike. (Only Klöntalersee/Rhodannenberg by public transport from May to October). Klöntalersee is a natural reservoir, nestled in a very impressive spot within the Glärnisch Mountains. Facilities and things to do: Two campsites by the lake, mountain inns with terraces, swimming, grilling & boating possibilities. You can also walk the length of the lake – about 7km along the south side between bus stops.
  • Oberblegisee – After a funicular and two gondola rides, this lake is reached by walking along a mountain sun terrace with rolling hills, woodlands and a wild valley.

• Schabziger herbal cheese
  • Made from skimmed cow’s milk & clover, this protein-rich cheese is a traditional product created around 550 years ago & now exported to over thirty countries. The “Schabziger Höhenweg“, is a 7km themed path found above the Filzbach chairlift, south of the lovely lake Walen (Walensee). It winds its way through meadows & forests, with information panels and an Erlebniskäserei (showcase cheese dairy). Other things to do in Filzbach include a summer roller-sledge run, a scooter-bike ride, an adventure rope park and a bike park.

• Unesco World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona – see below for more information
  • This area is as impressive as the name suggests. You can witness the incredible power and monumental forces that nature is capable of. The Arena is found in the cantonal border areas of St. Gallen, Glarus & Graubünden and extends over more than 300 square kilometres. You can either do a tour with an expert or experience this area independently.

Tectonic Arena Sardona – a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site

There are three UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites in Switzerland – the Tectonic Arena Sardona, Swiss Alps Jungfrau–Aletsch Glacier & Monte San Giorgio.

The impressive alpine landscape of the Tectonic Arena Sardona is a natural wonder made by the power of the tectonic plates slowly colliding. Millions of years of upheaval have created a dramatic mountainous landscape with folds of twisted rock rising to jagged peaks.

I have done a detailed post on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Switzerland, (learning a lot while doing it) with a section on this amazing phenomenon. An interactive map shows viewing points, information centres, and suggested hikes. This link goes directly to the Tectonic Arena section.

Klöntalersee & Obersee

Obersee & Klöntalersee

Klöntalersee is like a huge turquoise magnet. Its sheer beauty brings the crowds, especially at the weekend.

The alternative is this beautiful lake that we visited off-season recently – Obersee. This is also stunning and it has a restaurant right on the lakeshore. It can be more difficult to reach as Swiss public transport does not come to this lake.

The road is in good condition if a little narrow – meaning a slow drive. There are plenty of passing lanes if you meet someone coming the other way & there are biking trails starting at the valley.

Both Obersee and Klöntalersee don’t currently have any grilling places or BBQs with facilities but there are firepits dotted around. You will need to bring your own grill, forage for firewood and have a swiss army knife for carving sticks – although, there is a chance you will find some lying around. Trees surround these lovely lakes so there is plenty of firewood to be found. – remember your matches!

Good to Know: There are 2 camping grounds at Klöntalersee and metered parking near Camping Güntlenau on the east side of the lake. This camping ground also has BBQ facilities available.

Reason to stop here: By using the firepits, you should avoid the crowds. These places are such naturally beautiful spots that it seems a shame to see it all from the distance of a terrace when you can have a front-seat view, sitting on a rock or a log.

Oberblegisee

See my post – How to find a magical alpine lake hidden in the Swiss Alps