Linthal, Glarus 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.
Linthal, Glarus at a Glance#
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.
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.
Best Things to Do in Linthal, Glarus#
Linthal, Glarus Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 2° | -4° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -4° - 3° | -3° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 7° | 1° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | 2° - 11° | 5° | 125 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 17° | 12° | 136 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 9° - 19° | 14° | 178 mm | overcast | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 193 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 182 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.0 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 1.9 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 6° | 1° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 2.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 3° | -3° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 2.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
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.
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.
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#
Take a train from Zurich (via Ziegelbrücke/Glarus) to Linthal station for the most straightforward public-transport access. PostAuto buses and walking complete local travel for trailheads and hamlets.
- SBB regional train (CHF 25-40) - Regional SBB trains run to Linthal (terminus) from Ziegelbrücke and Zurich; the service is reliable and scenic through the Glarus valley. Timetables are frequent during the day and integrate with local PostAuto buses.
- PostAuto / local bus (CHF 2-10) - PostAuto buses link Linthal with mountain hamlets and trailheads; they are essential for reaching alpine trailheads not served by rail and run to timetables that coordinate with trains.
- Taxi (CHF 30-70) - Taxis in the Glarus valley are useful for early/late transfers or if you need direct door-to-door travel from the station; expect higher fares than public transport.
- Car hire (depends on rental) - A rental car from Zurich gives flexibility to explore the Glarus valley and surrounding mountains; roads are scenic but can be narrow and steep in places - check conditions in winter.
- Walking - Linthal and nearby trails are best explored on foot; walking gives access to valley walks and alpine routes directly from the village.
Where to Stay in Linthal, Glarus#
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
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
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.
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.
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.
