OFFICE DU TOURISME DE GLARIS

Glarus, Switzerland's smallest cantonal capital, is nestled between mountain ranges at the foot of the Glärnisch mountains. The canton of the same name has a long industrial history. Hikers, mountaineers, cyclists and amateur geologists will be delighted by the wide variety of activities and excursions on offer. On the way from Lake Zurich through the Linth plain, the deep valley of the Glarus region turns south just before Lake Walen. The mountains rise to a sheer height of 1750 m. The Tödi, at 3614 m, is the highest point in eastern Switzerland. Glarus is a varied vacation region with a long industrial tradition, especially in textiles. Since a great fire destroyed the old quarters in 1861, the streets of Glarus, the canton's capital, have been rebuilt on a checkerboard pattern. Fabric printing in the Glarus region became world-famous in the 19th century. Along the 50 km of the Industry Trail, cyclists can discover witnesses to the history of Glarus industry. Skiing, tobogganing, snowshoeing and other winter sports are also on offer. If you're looking for peace and quiet, you'll find plenty of winter hiking trails in the Glarus region. Not far from the capital is the Klöntal valley with its lake, an ideal hiking area. This valley, surrounded by mountains, is rich in natural beauty. Muotathal (canton Schwyz), from where General Suvorov's army fled to Glarus, can be reached via the Pragel Pass. Rumor has it that the Russians submerged their war treasure in the Klöntal lake. Despite numerous diving attempts, it has never (or not yet) been found. The Glarus region boasts a wealth of geological and mining curiosities. Like Sargans and the Walensee region, it belongs to the Geological Park, which crosses several cantons. The Landesplattenberg slate mine near Engi and the Elm slate factory, the marine fossils at Kerenzerberg and the dinosaur tracks at Tödi are all examples of this past.