On the Pragelpass Trail from Lake Klöntal to Muotathal

October 16, 2016 – This is the last day of the year that the Post Buses make their runs to higher altitude lakes or over the mountain passes (to resume approx. May of the following year) so the route we picked for today's fantastic weather was the run to Lake Klöntalersee near Glarus. From the last bus stop at Richisau we walked over the pass called Pragel Pass to the Muota Valley, this time a long 5-hour hike and total of 17 kms.

At 1548m the Pragel Pass is not a high one, but it is closed the longest to vehicular traffic in winter, opening again only in May. The road is quite narrow and on weekends vehicles are not allowed up to the pass from the Eastern side. This pass has historic status due to the great Generalissimo Suvorov leading an army of 15,000 over the pass in 1799.

I did this same hike almost exactly 30 years ago with my Aunt Ruth, but nothing looked familiar except the stone chapel up at the pass. Which is where, as also 30 years ago, we had our picnic lunch. Only this time there was a little restaurant there where we could buy local cheese made on site, “Pragel Cheese”, one of the best cheeses I have yet tasted. 

17-km hike from Richisau near Lake Klöntal to Muotathal

The road to the Klöntalersee is too narrow for two passing buses. Above right is the valley we are entering.

From Glarus in one valley, the post bus drives up to Lake Klöntal and a bit further on to a hotel at Richisau. From there the bus and other large vehicles are no longer allowed on the pass road because it is very narrow and steep. To avoid lots of weekend traffic, this side of the pass road is closed to vehicular traffic altogether on weekends.

10 a.m. at Lake Klöntal, in deep shadow because of the steep mountains to the South.

Our hike starts at the Hotel Richisau, a few kms. West of Lake Klöntal.

Start of our hike westward toward the Pragel Pass. Time to walk to the pass is 2 hours.

Walking to the Pragel Pass

A look backwards (toward the East) shows how narrow and steep the road is, where no vehicles are allowed on weekends.

Getting close! Just a few more meters till we reach the pass.

Up at the pass the sign shows us that we still have over 3 hours to walk to Muotathal, having already walked 2 hours.

Lunch time at the stone chapel, a familiar landmark of the Pragel Pass. The local cheese made up here is the best I've ever had. 

Lunch time at the stone chapel, a familiar landmark at the Pragel Pass

Heading downhill now from the pass westward.

Meadows have been prepared with pig manure... no rest here!

We get a glimpse of the valley bottom (Muotathal) which is our destination.

There was this fabulous well-laid trail through a rock-slide terrain, about 1 km long, that made walking pure joy!

Last stretch before reaching the valley bottom in Muotathal

Near Muotathal, Switzerland

The Franciscan Cloister of Muotathal boasts having accommodated General Suvarov on his retreat through the Alps. 

Bridge over the Muota River (Tributary of Lake Lucerne) in Muotathal, Switzerland. 

We select our hikes for their accessibility to public transportation.(And Distance and Altitude).