Netstal Travel Guide

City Swiss village in Glarus canton near Linth Valley

In the Linth valley Netstal gives quick access to Glarus Alps climbs and glacial cirques; hikers, climbers and winter skiers use the town as base, with old textile mills dotting the streets.

Costs

Expensive Switzerland rates (~$150-$300/day)

Swiss prices apply-expect high costs for lodging and dining.

Safety

Very safe and orderly

Extremely safe, low crime and well‑maintained public spaces.

Best Time

Summer for hiking; winter for alpine sports (Jun-Sep / Dec-Feb)

Summer for hiking and winter for nearby alpine sports; shoulder seasons are quiet.

In This Guide

Why Visit Netstal?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

2,900

Infrastructure & Convenience

Excellent regional public transport and well-marked trails; basic tourist services.

Popularity

Quiet mountain village popular with hikers and Swiss domestic visitors.

Known For

Glarus Alps scenery, hiking, mountain biking, Linth river valley, scenic train rides, waterfalls, traditional Swiss villages, alpine pastures, winter sports

Netstal sits on the Weesen-Linthal railway line with frequent regional trains linking the Glarus valley to the wider Swiss network.

Why Visit Netstal? #

Nestled in the Linth valley, Netstal offers direct access to the Glarus Alps and mountain activities such as hiking, climbing and alpine lake visits like Klöntalersee. Traditional Swiss mountain culture appears in local dairy farms and seasonal alp festivals, while compact village streets reveal a quieter side of Canton Glarus. Outdoor enthusiasts find it a convenient base for alpine walks and classic Swiss scenery without the larger crowds of major resorts.

Top Things to Do in Netstal

All Attractions ›

Lake Zurich

Swiss lake adjacent to the city of Zurich

Lake

Gutenberg Castle

Medieval hilltop castle overlooking Balzers village

Castle

Walensee

Deep alpine lake surrounded by steep Swiss cliffs

Lake

Glarus Alps

Swiss alpine range known for rugged peaks and valleys

Mountains

Säntis

Iconic peak in Alpstein massif with weather station

Mountain

Glarus thrust

Geological thrust fault displaying Alpine overthrust examples

Tomb

Einsiedeln Abbey

Baroque Benedictine abbey and major Swiss pilgrimage site

Temple

Tödi

Alpine peak in the Glarus Alps, popular among climbers

Mountains

Don't Miss

Glarus town and Landesmuseum - Short walk to Glarus town and Landesmuseum showcasing local history and industry.
Linth valley trails - Linth valley trails for easy riverside walks and mountain views.
Local village atmosphere - Peaceful village lanes with traditional Swiss homes, community cafés, and daily life.

Hidden Gems

Kerenzerberg pass - Kerenzerberg pass viewpoints and alpine meadows popular with locals for hikes.
Small alpine meadows - Hidden meadows above the village offering seasonal wildflowers and quiet picnic spots.
Heritage walking routes - Marked heritage trails linking hamlets and explaining local historical landmarks and industry.

Day Trips

Lake Walensee - Lake Walensee with boat rides, shoreline walks, and dramatic mountain panoramas.
Klausen Pass - Scenic alpine pass offering high-mountain vistas, hiking trails, and photographic viewpoints.

Best Time to Visit Netstal #

Netstal is best from late spring through early autumn for hiking and lake trips. Winters bring snow in the surrounding peaks and cosy alpine atmosphere.

Winter

December - February · -2-6°C (28-43°F)

Cold with regular snow in surrounding mountains; town is picturesque but some hiking routes closed. Good for cosy village stays and winter sports nearby.

Spring/Autumn

March - May & September - November · 5-18°C (41-64°F)

Fresh, blossoming springs and crisp autumns - great for valley walks, early-season lower-elevation hikes and fewer tourists. Expect changeable weather; layers are key.

Summer

June - August · 15-28°C (59-82°F)

Warm, sun-filled days ideal for hiking, lake trips and alpine sightseeing. Nights cool pleasantly; perfect balance of outdoor activity and relaxed village life.

Best Time to Visit Netstal #

Climate

Netstal'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 (1476 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 coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Cold

0°C

Temperature

-3° – 3°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

83 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 (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-2° – 5°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

97 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 (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

1° – 10°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

96 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 (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

4° – 14°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

111 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 (122 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

8° – 19°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

122 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 (167 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

167 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 (187 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

13° – 23°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

187 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 (171 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

13° – 23°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

171 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 (122 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

122 mm

Rainfall

1.8 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. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

6° – 14°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

104 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 (113 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 8°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

113 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 -2°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-2° – 4°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.3h daylight

How to Get to Netstal

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Netstal #

Netstal is compact and comfortable to walk; local roads and paths make cycling easy in fair weather. The village is served by regional trains and buses connecting to Glarus and the wider SBB network - public transport is reliable but follow Swiss timetables and ticketing rules.

Where to Stay in Netstal #

Budget

Netstal village - CHF25-60/night (limited)

Netstal is a small Swiss village with very few commercial accommodations. Budget options are rare; many visitors stay in nearby Glarus town instead.

Mid-Range

Glarus (nearby) - CHF90-150/night

Mid-range hotels are limited in Netstal itself. Glarus town offers comfortable hotels and guesthouses with reliable Swiss standards a short drive away.

Luxury

Regional Swiss resorts - CHF200+/night

No luxury resorts in Netstal. For upscale stays, look to larger Swiss centres or mountain resorts with full-service facilities.

Where to Eat in Netstal #

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

Regional

Pizza

Italian

Kebab

Burger

Turkish

Local

Pide

Thai

Asian

Greek

French

German

Indian

Tibetan

Barbecue

Schnitzel

Fine Dining

International

Italian Pizza

Nightlife in Netstal #

Netstal’s nightlife is very low-key - you’ll find local restaurants and a few bars, but no club scene. For more evening options and events head into nearby Glarus.

Shopping in Netstal #

Shopping in Netstal is limited to small local shops and a couple of basic services; for a fuller retail range you’ll go to Glarus town. Swiss prices apply, so expect higher costs than in many other countries.

Nearby Cities #