Easy Walk along the Muota River in the Bisis Valley

Sunday August 14, 2022 -- After yesterday's long trip to Arosa and in anticipation of a rainstorm in the afternoon, we chose a short easy hike along the Muota River nearby, completing a section of the Bisis Valley which we had only traveled by bus before. (Back in early July we did that 2-day hike in Glattalp, descending to Schwarzenbach in the Bisis Valley. That's where we started this time).

According to my map, this should have been a leisurely 2.5-hour hike all along the river, right into the town of Muotathal, where we have been many times before. What we didn't know until we got there, is that the river has been redirected underground between two power plants in the valley, and the large, dry riverbed was only a stark reminder of the growing water shortage in all our rivers. Additionally, as we were at a lower elevation, we had hoped walking next to the running water would give us the sense that the air was cooler... but instead, it only felt humid.

At least we started early, and by the time we reached the junction with the valley connecting to Glarus via the Pragel Pass there was water again. We finished this short hike with cake and refreshments at the bakery café in Muotathal, which is open on Sundays, and were already on our way home at about 1:30 p.m, getting home just before 3 p.m. 

On the bus ride up the valley, we passed the little hamlet called Bisisthal (same name as the valley). Our hike starts a bit further up the valley and we are going to walk down to here

Close up view of the cute little church in Bisisthal

We were the only people who got off here at Schwarzenbach (the rest were going to the back of the valley to take the cable car up to Glattalp). This is where we ended two other previous hikes, so we figured we would start here and walk the rest of the way out of the valley to Muotathal

From Schwarzenbach looking down the valley which we are walking out of. 

Since we had ended a couple of other hikes in Schwarzenbach, and started/ended several in Muotathal, we thought this would be a good day to walk the rest of the valley. The trail goes right along the Muota River the entire way. About 2.5 hours

A cute farm-house in Bisisthal 

As we head over to the church in Bisisthal, a look up to the Schwarzenbach Restaurant and chapel where we started our hike. Glattalp, where we were in early July, would be behind the large mountain at the back (?)

The cute church in Bisisthal had a very nice painted wood-panel ceiling

Another look back as we continue down the valley, this time to the church in Bisisthal. Here the water from the Muota River is still above ground, and we were expecting our hike to continue this way!

An enjoyable and easy walk along the Muota River

This cow obviously just recently gave birth, although the farmer must have been here because the calf's ears are already tagged. We walked by quickly, as mother cows can get pretty dangerous when you are near their calves.

Another very nice look up the Bisis Valley

The water reservoir at the Mettlen Power plant 

Right below the power plant, there was only this large dry riverbed, almost all the way to Muotathal. A local told us that if there is a lot of winter snow, the riverbed fills up as well. Apparently, in 2005, the river was so high it flooded this entire valley bottom. 

When I mapped the trail, it was pretty clear that we would be walking along the river the whole way! We didn't expect that it would be without water!

Pretty butterflies

Like many of the "hidden" valleys in Switzerland, this one starts with a narrow ravine, before it opens up more toward the back. 

This wall called "Höch Müra" was built by hand after flooding of the river in 1910, to protect the farmlands and people fürther down-valley from future floodwaters

Siberian Huskies are raised here at the Husky Lodge in Muotathal, they are trained to pull sleds in winter. 

Below the second power plant near the town of Muotathal, the water is diverted back to the riverbed

Another final look back up the Bisis Valley

This cliff walk is not nearly as difficult as the last one!

Approaching the bridge at Hintherthal, the junction with the other valley where you can cross the Pragel Pass to Canton Glarus

The St.Josef Franciscan Abbey in Muotathal is the oldest still in operation Franciscan Abbey in Europe. (Established in the year 1288)

Also, the abbey plays a part in Switzerland's military history, as the nuns gave shelter to the Russian General Suvorov and his troops as they traveled over the Pragel Pass (ca. 1799)

A look up to the Pragel Pass

Another bridge with flowers over the Muota River. The colour makes all the difference in the world!

Our after-hike panaché and ice cream sundae, and this time I treated myself to a piece of Torte, at a bakery in Muotathal which is open on Sundays. 

Passing through the town of Schwyz on our way to the train station, this is the Ratshaus (City Hall), among very many attractive buildings in this town. 

We have done many hikes starting or ending in Muotathal, or ending in Schwarzenbach from the Schächental side. So this day we connected the two by walking from Schwarzenbach to Muotathal.