Switzerland is a dreamy place. Almost everywhere you look is postcard perfect. I’m sure you’d recognize the epic scenery of the Jungfrau Region or the magnificent Matterhorn. Truly, Switzerland has no lack of jaw-dropping landscapes.
Today, I’m here to share with you ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES IN ALL OF SWITZERLAND. It’s a sweet secret that I’ve had tucked away in my heart for almost a decade. IMO this car-less mountain village that is not on the main tourist track is one of the most underrated areas of Switzerland. My little slice of Swiss paradise is called Braunwald.
Braunwald in Canton Glarus is Switzerland’s best kept secret.
Allow me to share 7 reasons why Braunwald now holds the title for my favorite corner of Switzerland.
1. The scenery is stunning.
I absolutely love the Glarner Alps! The Linthal Valley is long and narrow, and it ends in a cul-de-sac of sorts with eternally snow-capped peaks, like Tödi (3612m/11,850ft), rising high above. These mountains are close together and you feel completely surrounded by the beauty and might of the natural world. From the upper village of Braunwald, you are eye-level with Alpine glaciers, like the Biferten Glacier and the 7km long Hüfi Glacier underneath the Clariden mountain. I will always love the Matterhorn, but it’s the Ortstock of the Glarner Alps at sunset that has been my iPhone’s wallpaper for the last two years. Just something about these mountains feels like utter magic.
2. The hiking is wonderfully varied.
As you can imagine, all these mountains offer dozens of hiking trails! From panoramic vistas to forested paths, there is plenty of trekking to do through the Glarner Alps. My feet are happy to tread far as my heart is light with wonder and joy.
3. The Klettersteige Braunwald is breathtaking, quite literally.
Otherwise known as a via ferrata, a klettersteige is a designated hiking/climbing route with steel fixtures and fixed cable lines for adventurers to safely access exposed rock faces and high ridges. The Klettersteige Braunwald follows the Eggstock on a challenging but doable route for those who can brave the heights.
Tip: You can rent your helmets and climbing gear from an outfitter at the base of the Grotzenbüel gondola station. While going up, I kept saying, “This is not scary at all…” with a breathy sarcasm. So, take that for what it’s worth!
4. The sledding is super fun, and the skiing is simply nice, too.
Braunwald is a delight in the winter with great sledding runs and easy-going ski slopes. Given how much fun my mom and I had together, I can’t wait to take my kids back to Braunwald in the winter!
5. The family-friendly activities are fabulous.
From taking pony rides out of the Hof Hüttenberg barn, hiking from the top of the Gumen station down to the Zwergenschloss (Gnomes’ Castle), or balancing across the kid-friendly Seilpark (ropes course), there are a number of activities that families of all ages can enjoy.
6. The village may be carless, but it is accessible.
Braunwald sits 600 meters above the Linthal Valley, and it is not accessible by car. However, you can reach Braunwald by public transportation in just 90 minutes from Zurich! From Zurich HB, the S25 train to Linthal departs regularly, and the Braunwaldbahn funicular give you a short but thrilling lift up to the village station. If walking uphill to your accommodations isn’t appealing or doable, you can hail the local cab company: a horse-drawn carriage!
7. The accommodations can be an actual fairy-tale.
In Braunwald, you’ll find a range of accommodations that happily welcome guests. I have the pleasure of having a personal connection to two wonderful options: the Märchenhotel Brauwald, a literal fairytale and the subject of my next blog post (which you can read now), and the Sycamore Lodge, the guesthouse of the Hefti Family.
Honestly, I could go on and on with how much I love Braunwald. I have almost TWO THOUSAND photos from the time I’ve spent there over the years (granted a good number of them are from our stays at the Maerchenhotel, ha!), as this place just captivates my heart to the fullest.
I hope this short and sweet list does the job to showcase some of the wonder you can find in the Glarner Alps. However, if you need any more convincing, just hit me up in the Comment Section below!
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO SHARE…
Have you every heard of Braunwald? Or could you find Canton Glarus on a map? What sort of outdoor activities would you be interested in? Would you dare to take on the Braunwald Klettersteige? Or would you prefer to ride the horse-drawn carriage?
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