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.

Main image
Costs
$140-260 per day (typical Switzerland)
Expect high Swiss prices for food and lodging.
Safety
Exceptionally safe
Extremely safe with very low crime and reliable services.
Best Time
June-September (hiking), December-February (snow)
Summer offers best hiking; winter is snowy but quieter.
Local Time
5:02 AM
GMT+2
Weather
Partly Cloudy 49°F
Partly Cloudy
Population
3,014
Infrastructure & Convenience
Good regional train and bus links, compact village, basic tourist services.
Popularity
Attracts nature lovers and local hikers rather than mass tourism.
Known For
Glarus alpine scenery, hiking trails, gliding and airfield, mountain views, pastoral landscapes, Swiss village life, nearby peaks, outdoor sports
Mollis hosts a historic airfield once used for military and now popular with glider pilots.

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

Don't Miss
  • 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.
Hidden Gems
  • 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.
Day Trips
  • 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.

Winter
December - February · -3-6°C (27-43°F)
Winter brings frost and snow higher up; village scenes are peaceful, great for winter sports access but many mountain routes close.
Spring
March - May · 5-18°C (41-64°F)
Spring thaws trails, fills meadows with flowers and offers crisp, sunny days perfect for day hikes and lakeside coffees in comfort.
Summer
June - August · 12-28°C (54-82°F)
Warm summers are ideal for hiking, swimming in alpine lakes, and long evenings-mountain weather can still be changeable, so pack layers.

Best Time to Visit Mollis #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-29°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

116 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

157 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

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.

73 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

176 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (162 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

162 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

116 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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 #

Budget
Mollis / Glarus valley - CHF 50-110/night
Mollis is a small valley village; budget stays are in Glarus or nearby municipalities with straightforward guesthouses and pensions.
Mid-Range
Glarus town - CHF 110-180/night
Mid-range options in the Glarus valley offer clean, comfortable hotels with good transport links and mountain views; Mollis itself has few hotels.
Luxury
Glarus / Swiss Alps - CHF 180+/night
Luxury hotels are limited in Mollis; for premium alpine accommodation, head deeper into Glarus canton or nearby mountain resorts.

Where to Eat in Mollis #

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

Regional
Pizza
Italian
Kebab
Burger
Turkish
Local
Indian
Tea
Cake
Pide
Thai
Asian
Greek
French
German
Sausage
Tibetan
Barbecue
European

Nearby Cities #