Bifertenstock

Mountain Alpine peak in Glarus canton, popular with climbers

Bifertenstock rises in the Glarus Alps; mountaineers and experienced hikers head here for alpine routes, glacial cirques and high-altitude ridge walking.

Main image

Bifertenstock is a mountain in the Glarus Alps of eastern Switzerland located in the Canton of Glarus. The peak rises above glaciated terrain and is a recognizable summit within the local alpine range.

Its flanks include glacier and snowfields and it is approached from alpine valleys with marked mountaineering and climbing routes rather than simple hiking trails. The mountain is a destination for experienced mountaineers and ski-mountaineers when conditions permit.

The summit lies within the high alpine environment of the Glarus Alps and forms part of the rugged ridge system between adjacent valleys and glaciers. Access is from mountain valleys in the canton, with alpine huts and routes serving the peak.

Geographically the peak sits in eastern Switzerland within the Glarus Alps, overlooking glaciated high-country typical of the range and reachable from nearby alpine valleys in the canton.

  • Route conditions: Glacier and steep ridges on its slopes mean routes commonly require alpine equipment and experience with glacier travel outside the short summer window.
Bifertenstock
Bifertenstock, Canton of Glarus, Switzerland (mountain no formal address)
46.8042, 8.9575

How to Get to Bifertenstock #

Access is typically from valleys in the Canton of Glarus; local trailheads are reached by mountain roads and marked hiking paths. Nearest towns with train links include Glarus and Linthal; local knowledge and maps are essential.

Tips for Visiting Bifertenstock #

  • Bring crampons or good winter boots if attempting routes outside summer; alpine conditions can return quickly.
  • For clear weather routes, start from the Voralp hut to gain higher ridgelines early in the day.
  • Check current trail reports and local alpine club updates before attempting climbs; Bifertenstock is technical in parts.

Best Time to Visit Bifertenstock #

Summer months are best for climbing and hiking; always check alpine weather and route conditions.

Summer
Jun-Sep · 5-15°C at higher elevations
Best window for mountaineering and alpine routes; snow recedes from higher cols.
Early autumn
Sep-Oct · -2-10°C
Crisp air and clear skies but first snows can arrive early; fewer climbers.

Weather & Climate near Bifertenstock #

Climate

Bifertenstock's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -13°C to 6°C. Abundant rainfall (1510 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
AugustSeptemberJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
-28°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -12°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

27 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-12° -7°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
7.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -8°C and lows of -13°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

29 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-13° -8°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -12°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

27 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-12° -7°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -10°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

25 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-11° -6°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-6° -2°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-3°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (152 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

152 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

143 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

33 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-4°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
6.2 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -9°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-9° -4°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
7.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -11°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

27 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-11° -6°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
7.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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