Mollis Travel Guide
City Swiss village in Glarus canton near Alps
Mollis sits below the Glarus peaks and serves walkers, paragliders and winter-sporters heading into alpine ridges. Expect small bakeries, valley trails and quick access to higher mountain passes.
Why Visit Mollis? #
Nestled beneath the Glarus Alps, Mollis appeals to hikers and lake lovers seeking Swiss mountain life without the crowds. Proximity to Lake Walen (Walensee), alpine pastures and well-marked trails leads visitors to cable-car access and seasonal cheese-making demonstrations. Expect cozy guesthouses, hearty raclette evenings and easy access to panoramic routes through Glarus canton.
Best Things to Do in Mollis
All Attractions ›Mollis Bucket List
- Mollis railway station - Mollis railway station links the village to Glarus and regional mountain hiking trails.
- Glärnisch massif trails - Trails from Mollis lead toward the Glärnisch massif offering accessible alpine hiking options nearby.
- Local alpine pastures - Nearby alpine pastures invite short walks and seasonal grazing scenes above the village.
- Kerenzerberg pass views - Kerenzerberg pass road provides panoramic Walensee viewpoints and peaceful roadside walking spots.
- Village bakeries - Family-run bakeries sell regional breads and pastries popular with commuters and hikers alike.
- Small mountain huts - Mountain huts near Mollis offer simple refreshments and sheltered spots for hikers on the routes.
- Walensee and Quinten - Walensee lakeshore and Quinten village combine boat access, alpine views and hiking opportunities.
- Glarus town - Glarus town centre explores textile-industry history with local museums and shops a short ride away.
Best Time to Visit Mollis #
Mollis is best from late spring to early autumn for hiking and lake views. Winters bring snow in nearby peaks and crisp, quiet days-great for winter sports.
Best Time to Visit Mollis #
Mollis's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1392 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (176 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (162 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Mollis
Mollis is well served by Switzerland's rail network via the Mollis SBB station; Zurich Airport provides the most convenient international access. Regional trains and PostBus services make onward travel straightforward and reliable.
Zurich Airport (ZRH): Switzerland’s main international gateway. From Zurich Airport you can take a direct train to Glarus or Ziegelbrücke and then a short regional train to Mollis; total rail journey time is about 60-80 minutes depending on connection. Car hire and taxis from Zurich take roughly 50-70 minutes by road.
St. Gallen-Altenrhein (ACH): A small regional airport further east; ground connections to Mollis require a combination of bus and train and are less direct than Zurich. Travel times vary considerably and typically take over 90 minutes.
Train: Mollis has an SBB railway station (Mollis) on the Ziegelbrücke-Sargans line with regular regional trains to Ziegelbrücke and Glarus; from Zurich HB the journey via regional connections takes around 60-80 minutes. Trains are frequent and reliable.
Bus: Local PostBus services connect Mollis with neighbouring villages and bus links to larger towns in Glarus canton. Buses are useful for last-mile travel where the train does not stop.
How to Get Around Mollis #
Mollis is compact and easy to explore on foot. It has a local railway station on the Swiss regional network and PostBus connections, so regional train and bus services link Mollis with larger towns nearby. For full flexibility-especially if you plan day trips into the mountains-a car is convenient. Swiss public transport is reliable; check SBB/PostBus schedules for connections and fares.
Where to Stay in Mollis #
- Hotel Glarnerhof (Glarus) - Simple town-centre rooms, short drive
- Hotel Alpenblick (nearby) - Basic family-run hotel in valley
- Hotel Glarnerhof - Comfortable mid-range with central location
- Hotel Alpenblick - Good value, alpine outlook
- Boutique/upper-tier hotels in Glarus region - Premium stays in the canton (limited)
- Luxury alpine hotels (regional) - High-end options further into Swiss Alps
Where to Eat in Mollis #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Mollis's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.