Hirzli, 1641 m

On the northernmost Glarus summit wave

The Hirzli measures just 1641 m and is thus the lowest main summit of the Glarus region. It is the foremost of all Glarus mountains, none extends its head as far toward the Central Plateau. The Linth plain, Lake Walen, and the entire Zurich region with its towns, forest edges, and lakes can be seen.

The most interesting ascent to Hirzli begins in Bilten, the most original of the Glarus villages. From the train station, the route heads toward the forest edge and the once feared Biltnerbach. Whitewater constructions have tamed it, but its sandstone and marl bed is still impressive to behold. Shortly before the stream, the rocky path winds up in mixed forest, steep and shady. From the fork at P. 965, the route reaches left over the marshy water meadow Unter Nideren, where the variant over Planggenstock is signposted for sure-footed hikers. The direct Hirzli route leads between conglomerate blocks further to Alp Ober Nideren and finally gains the cross-decorated, narrow summit at 1641 m on slanting meadows. Descending, one takes left the well-developed path through the steep north flank. Further down, the forester's house invites to rest in a park-like environment, then it goes zigzag downhill to Schwinfärch. The path gets worse, but the Morgenholz station is soon reached. Those who do not want to use the cable car choose the path left past the Basel holiday home along the road. At 590 m, a footpath branches left to the romantic small castle located above a vineyard. A stairway leads between vines down to Niederurnen station.