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Hard Hiking Trails in Glarus

There are 18 hikes in Glarus in our database that fit. They average 20.6 km and 1,085 m (3,560 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 48.1 km.

That is 45 percent of the 40 routes we map in Glarus. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 20.6 km against 14.9 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 1,085 m (3,560 ft) on average versus 602 m (1,975 ft) across the wider area.

Hard routes mean sustained ascent, long descents and a real need to watch the clock and the forecast. These lean toward the demanding end, so plan for a full day and check the forecast before you commit.

Trails

Mating nuc (Apidea box) on the isolated mating location for dark bees (Apis mellifera mellifera) in Sernftal, Glarus, Switzerland.
Expert

Via Alpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
24.7 km
/ 15.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,846 m
Typical duration
8 hr 13 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Anflug auf Piste 34L am Flugplatz Schänis (links im Hintergrund der Benkner Büchel )
Hard

Alpine Panorama Trail

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
25.8 km
/ 16.1 mi
Elevation gain
670 m
Typical duration
6 hr 43 min
  • Alpine meadow
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Plattenseeli mit Piz Dolf Mitte und Piz Sardona rechts
Hard

Via Alpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
22.1 km
/ 13.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,309 m
Typical duration
6 hr 47 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Blick von der Klausenpaßstraße auf den Bifertenstock , der ein 3'421 m ü. M. hoher Gipfel in den Glarner Alpen ist.
Hard

Via Alpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
16.1 km
/ 10.0 mi
Elevation gain
1,075 m
Typical duration
5 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Glarus thrust fault at Piz Segnes (half left) and Piz Dolf (right)
Hard

Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 6

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
20.8 km
/ 12.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,671 m
Typical duration
7 hr 1 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Schwiberg Mountain Road Bridge over the Seez River, Weisstannen, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Hard

Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 5

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
20.0 km
/ 12.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,956 m
Typical duration
7 hr 15 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Material Aerial Cableway over the Seez River, Weisstannen, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Hard

Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 3

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
16.0 km
/ 9.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,509 m
Typical duration
5 hr 37 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Crepuscular rays over the Obersee valley near Lake Walen, Glarus, Switzerland.
Hard

Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 1

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
15.8 km
/ 9.8 mi
Elevation gain
1,683 m
Typical duration
5 hr 51 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Pragelpass-Weg

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
48.1 km
/ 29.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,600 m
Typical duration
13 hr
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Via Glaralpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
17.7 km
/ 11.0 mi
Elevation gain
389 m
Typical duration
4 hr 21 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Via Glaralpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
17.9 km
/ 11.1 mi
Elevation gain
393 m
Typical duration
4 hr 24 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Via Glaralpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
16.1 km
/ 10.0 mi
Elevation gain
354 m
Typical duration
3 hr 55 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Via Glaralpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
17.6 km
/ 11.0 mi
Elevation gain
388 m
Typical duration
4 hr 20 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Via Glaralpina

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
16.1 km
/ 10.0 mi
Elevation gain
355 m
Typical duration
3 hr 56 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

ViaSuworow

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
22.8 km
/ 14.1 mi
Elevation gain
1,650 m
Typical duration
7 hr 27 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

ViaSuworow

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
21.4 km
/ 13.3 mi
Elevation gain
680 m
Typical duration
5 hr 40 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

ViaSuworow

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
18.4 km
/ 11.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,100 m
Typical duration
5 hr 36 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Kerenzerberg Römerweg

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
13.2 km
/ 8.2 mi
Elevation gain
600 m
Typical duration
3 hr 39 min
  • Waymarked route
Hard

Kistenpass

Glarus · Switzerland

Distance
18.4 km
/ 11.5 mi
Elevation gain
405 m
Typical duration
4 hr 33 min
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Via AlpinaGlarus24.7 km1,846 m8 hr 13 minExpertJune to October
Alpine Panorama TrailGlarus25.8 km670 m6 hr 43 minHardApril to October
Via AlpinaGlarus22.1 km1,309 m6 hr 47 minHardJune to October
Via AlpinaGlarus16.1 km1,075 m5 hrHardApril to October
Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 6Glarus20.8 km1,671 m7 hr 1 minHardJuly to September
Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 5Glarus20.0 km1,956 m7 hr 15 minHardJuly to September
Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 3Glarus16.0 km1,509 m5 hr 37 minHardJuly to September
Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 1Glarus15.8 km1,683 m5 hr 51 minHardJune to October
Sardona-Welterbe-Weg Etappe 2Glarus12.7 km899 m3 hr 59 minHardJuly to September
Pragelpass-WegGlarus48.1 km1,600 m13 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Alpine Panorama Trail, Via Alpina, Via Alpina. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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