Braunwald: Village History and Mountain Scenery

Braunwald in the canton of Glarus offers several points of interest to consider when choosing where to stay: village history, a long musical tradition, and activities ranging from a nature trail to via ferratas shape the character of the place. Its car-free nature is another factor you can take into account when planning your trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Braunwald, first consider whether local history, music or trails in the mountain landscape are especially important to your stay.

Village History and Musical Tradition

The Führlihaus is a tangible link to architectural history. Built in 1780, the house has been protected as a historic monument since 1973. The history of the Bergeten settlement at the foot of the Ortstock goes back further: at around 1,600 m above sea level, it was inhabited in summer from the 12th to the 15th century. The Ortstock reaches 2,716 m above sea level. Bergeten bears witness to sheep, goat and cattle farming, as well as hunting. In this way, a protected building and the history of a seasonally inhabited settlement represent different aspects of Braunwald’s local history.

Music also has a firm place in the annual calendar: music weeks have been held in Braunwald every July since 1936. The Braunwald Music Week has evolved from the once-exclusive “Musical Holiday Course” into a contemporary, professionally organised music festival for a wider audience. If you would like to combine your stay with this cultural event, July is the relevant time; check the event dates for the year of your visit.

Trails and Views in the Mountain Landscape

The Braunwald via ferratas cross four peaks. The routes follow the ridge throughout and offer views of the landscapes to the north and south along the entire traverse. They are located on the Eggstöcke above Gumen and can be reached by the Gumen combination cableway. As the cableway operates seasonally, you should take this into account when planning.

The Zwerg-Bartli Trail in the Enchanted Forest offers a different way to discover Braunwald. It leads to a total of eight fairytale favourite spots of the dwarf Bartli. The full, four-kilometre route is listed as taking three and a half hours to walk. There is also a pram-friendly option from Grotzenbüel to the Braunwaldbahn mountain station; it takes an hour and a half. The walking times and route details can help you weigh up the two options based on the time available and the pram-friendly route option.

Understanding the Village and the Glarus Mountains

A nature trail in Braunwald introduces visitors to ecological, historical and economic aspects of the village. The Braunwald Alpine Museum explores Glarus geology and takes visitors on a journey through more than 300 million years of history. Its exhibitions also present the natural environment, culture and stories of the Glarus mountain landscape. Together, they offer a view of the village alongside a geological perspective reaching far back in time.

Braunwald is a car-free tourist destination in the canton of Glarus. This characteristic is relevant to your travel plans. Check the current access regulations before travelling, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Niederurnen, Mühlehorn, Elm, Näfels, Matt, Obstalden, Glarus, Glarus Süd.

Back to the main travel overview: Glarus.