Summit tour Vorder Glärnisch

Summit cross on the Vorder Glärnisch with a view of Lake Klöntal

On the Balcony of the Glarnerland

The alpine landmark of Glarus is the Vorder Glärnisch, which rises 1900 m above the small cantonal capital as an evenly shaped rock cone. From below, no easy access seems possible. Nevertheless, there is a simple, if not quite everyday, normal ascent. It runs through the massive funnel of the Gleiter, which opens towards the "back", i.e., towards the Klöntal.

At the Rhodannenberg PostBus stop at the dam of the Klöntaler See, the altitude difference to the summit is an acceptable 1500 m. A well-built forest path first leads up to the Schwammhöchi. Nowhere does the Klöntaler See appear more impressive than from the terrace of the guesthouse. Unfortunately, you then have to go down 50 altitude meters again to the level Alp of Hinter Saggberg. At the southern tip of the pasture area, a path begins which runs parallel to the stream through the rock ridge of Stäli towards the large funnel of the Gleiter. This is where the most interesting part of the ascent takes place. Grassy and scree-covered steep ramps, short rock steps, and rock ridges alternate. Thanks to solid path traces and numerous wire ropes in the rock area, even at the exposed spots one can look down into the abyss without worry. At the upper edge of the giant funnel, this enjoyment unfortunately ends unpleasantly, as now the wide, steep Glärnischplanggen follow. The name itself does not promise anything good. Indeed, the steep, scree-covered slopes beneath the summit area are difficult to traverse despite a path trace. It is best to keep diagonally left upwards towards the northwest ridge to reach the summit, 2327 m, on its southern side or at its crest height. As a reward, visitors at the summit cross can expect enchanting deep views. You rest directly above the Linth valley and look almost vertically down to the houses, streets, and squares of Glarus. The descent takes place on the same route, where from Saggberg one can leave the Schwammhöchi to the right.