Walk down the Lönstch Ravine from Lake Klöntal to Glarus

(This post published on March 3, 2023 -- I did this hike alone and I don't remember why. Urs probably had a previous commitment).

Saturday May 28, 2016 -- Urs had a previous commitment, and even though the forecast was for overcast skies, the weather was warm and I wanted to get out. Even just for a short two-hour hike. Usually, when I hike alone, I pick a trail which might not be so interesting to Urs, or something we have done before and which I would want to do again.

We had already been to the beautiful Lake Klöntal in Canton Glarus several times, but had never walked out of the valley from lake level before, so this is what I chose for this day. Mostly it was a walk through leafy forests along following the Löntsch River and then ending at the train station in Glarus. In all it was just a little over 7 km, an easy walk.

Unfortunately the clouds were low over the lake when I got there with the bus, so it did not look as spectacular as usual (without the contrast of the high vertical mountains), but since I was mostly in the forest after that, it wasn't a big deal. Highlights were stone bridges, fountains, and lovely farms as I got closer to Glarus. It did take 2-1/2 hours travel time to get to the start of the hike, a little far for two hours of walking, but a successful outing anyway.

(Side Note: This piece of the trail, along with the walk along the lake which we did in 2014, are part of the 48-km long Pragel Pass Trail (Regional Trail no.29). Later in 2016 and then in 2021 we did two other sections, to basically complete the route).

This is in the park next to the train station. I was waiting for the departure of the bus to Lake Klöntal

Here I am at the lake, about to start walking back to Glarus, which took me about 2 hours. This is part of both the Pragel Pass Trail (no.29) and the Via Suvorov Trail (no.55)

Panorama view of Lake Klöntal from Rhodannenberg at the east end of the lake. I started walking at 13:20.

I didn't follow the numbered trail exactly (probably because I didn't have this interactive map at the time). It was about 2 hours of walking from the lake to the train station in Glarus

This plant is "Yellow Archangel" and is in the nettle family (my first thought was stinging nettles!). The flowers actually look like orchids. 

Walking through the fragrant forest

We often run across Roman Snails (Escargots) on our forest walks. 

When I walk alone, I have to find places to set my camera for self-timed photos. 

Fun water fountains along the forest paths

The trail crosses the river several times, on various types of bridges

Charming forest

Another wooden bridge crossing the river

I was pleasantly surprised to discover this attractive stone bridge! It's called the "Löntschtobel Bridge" (Löntsch being the name of the river, and Tobel is the ravine)

I did have to set up my camera to take a self-timed photo here as well.

A look down into the ravine from the bridge. 

A look back up the ravine toward the lake, as I continue down the trail. 

Once in a while a lovely pool of clear water

Now I'm leaving the forest, and get a look across the ravine to the road which the bus drives up. The vertical faces of the mountain on the north side of the ravine are fabulous

Down below is the Löntsch River

Another look behind me as I have now left the ravine behind. The clouds are gone now!

And again a look behind me as I reach the outskirts of the town of Glarus. 

Maybe this is a bird house?

Passing by the Glarner Stadtkirche, the main Reformed Church in Glarus

Glarner Stadkirche

Downtown Glarus

The approx. 7-km walking I did from Lake Klöntal to the town of Glarus, as seen on Google Satellite Maps

Heading back out of the Linth Valley (Linthal) by train, a look back at the valley I descended. 

All the sections of the "Pragel Pass Trail" which we completed till 2017. 

Location of Glarus and Lake Klöntal within Switzerland. Even though the Linthal Valley is pretty close to where we live, it still takes 2-1/2 hours to get to the lake.