A Sunny Snow-free Winter Walk in the Linth Valley from Glarus to Nidfurn

Saturday January 7th, 2023 -- Today we found a place where there was no fog, and only 90 minutes travel time for us: The Linth Valley in Canton Glarus. This is a beautiful valley with fascinating mountains and we don't come here nearly enough, especially as it is so easy to get to for us! (We did do a great hike in the same region in May of 2022, those photos are HERE).

Starting in the capital city of the same name as the Canton (Glarus) at 11:15, we walked along a valley trail called the "Landesfussweg" (Canton Footpath) for just over 8 km and caught the train further south in the Valley (at Nidfurn) at 3 p.m. Had we started an hour earlier, when there was already plenty of sunshine here, we would have walked another hour along the Linth River, but we could tell the sun would soon go down. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful mild day for a walk, we had a nice combination of paved roads and non-muddy trails, loads of great views of the Glärnisch Massif to our right, and even found a restaurant serving ice cream sundaes, just like after our summer hikes!

(Side note: This is an unusual and unique valley in that normally one would expect lots of dairy farms, but historically there were many industries set up in this pastoral area, as the Linth River provided lots of water power. The massive textile industry in this valley in the 18th and 19th centuries made it the most industrialized region in Switzerland at the time. Many of the factories are still in operation). 

Train station in the town of Glarus, where we started our 8-km walk up the Linth Valley

One of my favourite sculptures, it is called "The Hand". The artists' statement is: "With our sculpture we … [want to] point out that we, as a great human race, are responsible for our living space".

"The Hand" is actually a large sculpture, created in 2004. 

We walked for a little over 8 km (2 hours 20 minutes) from Glarus to Nidfurn, always with the stunning Glärnisch peaks on our right)

This would be the stunning "Vorder Glärnisch", rising almost 1900m vertically from the valley bottom. To its right is the beautiful and popular Lake Klöntal

At this time of year, if the trails are clear, they are usually muddy. This path was fairly dry so pleasant to walk. In the background is the town of Ennenda, just south of Glarus. You can make out one of the factory towers of what used to be a textile factory. In May 2022 we descended to Glarus from that ridge. 

A look behind us now at the mighty Vorder Glärnisch seen from the south. Magnificent.

Another look back at Ennenda

Walking along the "Landesfussweg" (Canton Footpath)

A perfect place for our picnic lunch

Narrow trails through various small communities. This one is called Lassigen

A farm building in Lassigen. More and more farms in Switzerland are putting solar panels on their south-facing barn roofs. 

Our trail took us around this villa called Weidli

Such a fabulous backdrop of the Glärnisch mountains. 

A beautiful farm house

Approaching the village of Schwändi from above. This was the old school house, is now the municipal hall. 

We found a very, very nice restaurant in this little village of Schwändi, they had ice coffee sundaes on the menu, so a good reason to stop here for coffee and iced coffee! Imagine sitting on a sunny restaurant terrace (and not on a ski hill) in winter!

The restaurant in Schwändi was called "Unique", and it definitely was! We'll be back! We really liked this village anyway. Superb backdrop. I also love the simple Christmas decorations here in Switzerland, a few wooden stars and the atmosphere is achieved. 

A look back at the village of Schwändi with the fabulous backdrop of the Glärnisch mountains. 

A lovely village with loads of sunshine in winter!

To the south is the dominant mountain at the back of the Linth Valley: Mt. Tödi (3612m)

Down below is the city of Schwanden (not visible from here) at the entrance of the Sernf Valley to the east, which leads to Elm

A tree full of mistletoe!

The next village we passed through was called "Thon", which is the German word for "Tuna". Imagine living in "Tuna"! This house, built in the year 1300 (wooden part is from 1561) is called "Turehus" and was renovated in 1978 and is now under Swiss Monument Protection. 

Another farm house in Thon. Another spectacular backdrop

More simple wooden stars decorate this old barn, giving it the Christmas atmosphere

Wide open valley at the back of the Linth Valley with Mt.Tödi at the end, it was absolutely lovely to walk here. Normally, there would be a cross-country skiing and winter (snow) hiking trail here!

In winter, if there is no snow, I have no issues walking on paved trails. It is just so wonderful to enjoy the sunshine.

Our final village of Nidfurn (also with an old factory tower). We could have walked another hour, but could see the afternoon shadow growing quickly, so decided to end our hike here. 

Hurrying to cross the railway tracks before the train gets into the station at Nidfurn (when the barrier closes and you are stuck on this side, it's tough luck!)

Made it to the Nidfurn-Haslen train station with four minutes to spare!

Our train ride to Zurich! It is now 3 p.m. and we spent about 3.5 hours in the sunshine. 

Our 8.5-km walk in the valley bottom of the Linth Valley, from Glarus to Nidfurn. Schwanden is the transfer town for buses to Elm in the Sernf Valley. Our favourite village of Schwändi is up the hill a bit from Schwanden. (Center of the photo)

Our various hikes in the Glarus and Lake Klöntal region. On the left are trails going out from Braunwald at the back of the Linth Valley. 

It was from studying the webcam photos at the hillside opposite the Glärnisch mountains that morning, that I knew we would have no fog here (most of the rest of northern Switzerland had fog). We could have started an hour earlier, as there was sun here then already. 

Location of the Linth Valley, not at all far from where we live. It takes us 90 minutes from leaving our apartment to get to Glarus with public transport