Linthal, Glarus Travel Guide

City Alpine village at Glarus valley, Swiss Alps

At the valley head beneath steep alpine faces, Linthal attracts hikers and climbers bound for Tödi and the Glarus peaks; visitors use its cableways, seasonal mountain roads and high‑alpine trails.

Costs

$120-260 USD per day

Expensive Swiss mountain‑destination prices, though simple stays reduce cost.

Safety

Very safe - mountain safety standards

Very safe Alpine village with reliable rescue and services.

Best Time

Jun-Sep (hiking) or Dec-Mar (snow)

Summer for hiking and winter for alpine sports and snow activities.

In This Guide

Why Visit Linthal, Glarus?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

1,080

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good rail connection to the valley, well‑marked trails and mountain transport.

Popularity

Favoured by hikers, climbers, and Swiss alpine day‑trippers.

Known For

Linth Valley terminus, Glarus Alps, Klausen Pass access, hiking, climbing, alpine scenery, valley rail terminus, mountain huts, seasonal skiing

Linthal is the terminus of the local rail line and is served by the S‑bahn connection from the Zurich region to the Linth Valley.

Why Visit Linthal, Glarus? #

At the head of the Linth valley, Linthal is a gateway to the Glarus Alps and appeals to hikers, climbers and anyone wanting dramatic mountain scenery. The village provides access to trails leading toward the Tödi massif and to passes such as the Klausen, and cableways and alpine huts make high-elevation exploration straightforward. Swiss mountain cuisine-cheese, rösti and fondues-fills local restaurants, while seasonal festivals underline strong alpine traditions and community life.

Top Things to Do in Linthal, Glarus

All Attractions ›

Lake Zurich

Swiss lake adjacent to the city of Zurich

Lake

Walensee

Deep alpine lake surrounded by steep Swiss cliffs

Lake

Glarus Alps

Swiss alpine range known for rugged peaks and valleys

Mountains

Glarus thrust

Geological thrust fault displaying Alpine overthrust examples

Tomb

Einsiedeln Abbey

Baroque Benedictine abbey and major Swiss pilgrimage site

Temple

Rheinwaldhorn

Highest peak of the Adula Alps in Graubünden

Mountain

Tödi

Alpine peak in the Glarus Alps, popular among climbers

Mountains

Ägerisee

Scenic lake in Canton Zug used for recreation

Lake

Don't Miss

Linthal-Braunwald Funicular (Braunwaldbahn) - Historic funicular connecting Linthal with Braunwald, providing easy access to mountain trails.
Linth Valley Walks - Riverside paths and valley trails offering relaxed hiking and opportunities to observe alpine flora.
Linthal Village Centre - Small cluster of shops and cafés serving hikers and visitors to the valley.

Hidden Gems

Hydropower Viewing Points - Opportunities to view Linthal's hydro installations and learn about alpine energy infrastructure.
Alpine Pasture Huts - Traditional mountain huts offering simple meals, local cheese, and close-to-nature experiences.
Nearby Trout Streams - Clear mountain streams favored by anglers and those seeking tranquil natural spots.

Day Trips

Braunwald - Car-free mountain resort reached by funicular, offering alpine hiking and panoramic valley views.
Klausen Pass - High alpine pass with scenic driving, hiking routes, and dramatic mountain scenery nearby.

Best Time to Visit Linthal, Glarus #

Linthal is a mountain destination best in summer for alpine hikes, meadows and waterfalls. Winters deliver heavy snow and winter sports; shoulder seasons can be changeable so plan for variable conditions.

Winter

December - February · -6 to 2 °C (21 to 36 °F)

High-alpine winters bring deep snow, excellent skiing and dramatic scenery-roads can be icy, so travel with caution necessary sometimes.

Spring/Autumn

March - May & September - November · 0 to 12 °C (32 to 54 °F)

Unpredictable shoulder periods with lingering snow or early storms-good for quiet hiking if you're prepared and flexible with plans.

Summer

June - August · 10 to 22 °C (50 to 72 °F)

Short, cool summers offer lush alpine meadows, long hiking days and fewer insects-perfect for exploring high passes and waterfalls.

Best Time to Visit Linthal, Glarus #

Climate

Linthal, Glarus's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1560 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

30°

Warmest Month

-28°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-5° – 2°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

83 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

8.9h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Freezing

0°C

Temperature

-4° – 3°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

96 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

-1° – 7°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

2° – 11°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

125 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

High

13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

7° – 17°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

136 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (178 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

9° – 19°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

178 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.6h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (193 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 22°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

193 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (182 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

12° – 21°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

182 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

9° – 18°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

135 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

112 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Low

10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

3°

Feels Like Cold

3°C

Temperature

0° – 6°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

116 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Freezing

0°C

Temperature

-3° – 3°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

101 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.5h daylight

How to Get to Linthal, Glarus

Linthal in Canton Glarus is served directly by regional SBB trains (Linthal station) on the line from Zurich via Ziegelbrücke/Glarus. Zurich Airport is the most practical air gateway, with a straightforward rail connection into the Glarus valley.

By Air

Zurich Airport (ZRH): Zurich is the main international airport for access to Glarus; from Zurich take SBB trains toward Glarus or Ziegelbrücke, then continue to Linthal. Total rail journey time is roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on connections.

Samedan / regional options: There are no closer major international airports; Zurich provides the most frequent and convenient services for Linthal.

By Train & Bus

Train: Linthal (Linthal Glarus) has a railway terminus on the S-Bahn/region line (often shown as Linthal (GL) on timetables). Trains run via Ziegelbrücke / Glarus from Zurich and take about 1.5-2 hours from Zurich Airport. SBB timetables show regular regional trains to Linthal.

Bus: Local PostAuto buses serve surrounding valleys and trailheads; bus services connect Linthal with neighbouring villages and mountain routes with short travel times and local fares.

How to Get Around Linthal, Glarus #

Linthal is the terminus of the valley and is reachable by regional train (the line serving the Glarus valley) making it fairly straightforward to get to without a car. From Linthal you can take the Braunwaldbahn funicular or other cableways to reach Braunwald and higher trails. Short regional train fares in Switzerland are commonly several CHF. Within the village things are walkable and most attractions are near the station. A car is useful for exploring further valleys or for flexible day trips.

Where to Stay in Linthal, Glarus #

Budget

Linthal / Glarus - CHF50-120/night

Linthal is a small alpine village with limited year-round lodging. Budget guesthouses exist but can be seasonal; many stay in Glarus or Näfels.

Simple pensions in Linthal - Few small guesthouses available seasonally
Hotel Glarnerhof (Glarus) - Basic, affordable rooms in Glarus town

Mid-Range

Glarus - CHF120-200/night

Mid-range options are in nearby Glarus or along the valley. Expect comfortable rooms, hearty meals, and easy access to hiking trails.

Hotel Glarnerhof - Comfortable hotel in nearby Glarus town
Regional mid-range hotels (Glarus area) - Good options for families and hikers

Luxury

Glarus / Canton resorts - CHF200+/night

No big luxury resorts in Linthal itself. For upscale alpine facilities choose higher-end hotels in the canton or nearby ski resorts.

Premium valley hotels (Glarus area) - Upscale rooms and scenic views
Luxury hotels in canton (nearby resorts) - High-end alpine comfort a short drive away

Where to Eat in Linthal, Glarus #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Linthal, Glarus's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional

Chinese

Italian

Barbecue

Nightlife in Linthal, Glarus #

Nightlife in Linthal is subdued and mountain-oriented: evenings usually centre on guesthouse restaurants, village inns and apres-ski gatherings rather than formal clubs. Live-music events may appear locally in season. For greater nightlife variety, travel to larger towns in the region.

Shopping in Linthal, Glarus #

Shopping in Linthal is focused on local needs: small grocery stores, bakeries and outdoor-sport shops geared to hikers and skiers. For broader shopping or specialty items head to Glarus or larger Swiss towns. Expect limited opening hours outside the main tourist seasons.

Nearby Cities #