Klöntalersee

In the canton of Glarus in eastern Switzerland, the Klöntalersee lies at the bottom of the Klöntal valley at 848 meters above sea level . The Klöntal is the Alpine valley that opens west of Glarus, the canton's capital and the starting point for reaching the lake; in train timetables and on signs, the city appears with the German name Glarus , which therefore refers to the same location. There's no need for ski lifts or walking: the road and PostBus route follow the valley to the shore.

The landmarks to look for are Rhodannenberg , at the eastern end near the dam, and Vorauen , at the western end, towards the upper part of the Klöntal. The respective stops are not interchangeable: the first coincides with the indicated access point for the complete circuit, while the second allows you to directly reach the other end of the lake and also organize a shorter visit.

Getting to Klöntalersee

By train, you arrive at Glarus station and continue on PostBus route 504, which enters the Klöntal Valley and stops at both Rhodannenberg and Vorauen. Some services also reach Plätz and Richisau, towns located beyond Vorauen in the upper part of the valley; however, for a first day dedicated to the lake, the two stops on the shore are the ones to consider.

Since line 504 is seasonal and its operating days vary throughout the year, the outward and return journeys must be checked in the official Glarus-Klöntal timetable . This is especially important if you plan to walk between the two ends and catch the bus from a different stop: in that case, the return journey is part of the excursion program.

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For those arriving by car, there are regulated parking areas in Vorauen and Güntlenau, the eastern part of the lake, where one of the authorized campsites is also located. Parking is not permitted along the public road, which must remain clear, and during periods of heavy traffic or in dangerous situations, access to the valley may be limited or temporarily closed. On some summer Sundays, there are also traffic restrictions for day visitors: checking these before departure helps avoid arriving at the entrance to the Klöntal without being able to continue.

Rhodannenberg and Vorauen

If your goal is to hike the official loop, Rhodannenberg is the easiest: you get off next to the dam and, after the loop, return to the same stop. Vorauen, on the other hand, is ideal for those who want to start from the western end, enter the innermost part of the Klöntal, or stop nearby without tackling the entire route.

With less time available, you can choose a stretch along the lake and return by bus, but this option shouldn't be used as a complete loop. There's no single official schedule that establishes the distance, duration, and difficulty of each possible walk between stops; the route should be decided on the map, taking into account the day's conditions and available return buses.

Klöntalersee Tour

The complete route is called the Klöntalersee Mountain Hiking Trail and starts in Rhodannenberg, where it returns after circumnavigating the lake. The official itinerary details :

• Distance: 12,65 km
• Duration: about 3 hours and 30 minutes
• Difference: 145m

The elevation gain isn't significant, but the route remains a mountain trail, with uphill and downhill sections, rather than a flat walk along the water's edge. During the winter months and when there's snow, the trail is closed; depending on the season, it may be closed from autumn to spring.

After leaving Rhodannenberg, you walk for a short stretch near the road before continuing towards Vorauen. From here, the trail enters the upper part of the valley, passes Plätz, and crosses the bridge over the Klön stream. The return journey takes place on the other side, through the woods, passing through Güntlenau; the final few meters cross the dam and return to the starting point.

The trail's opening season coincides with that of the PostBus, but actual availability may vary depending on the weather. It's therefore advisable to check the itinerary page shortly before your hike, wear suitable footwear for a mountain trail, and leave enough time for the return bus, especially if you choose Vorauen as an alternative starting point.

From natural lake to hydroelectric basin

The lake in the Klöntal Valley wasn't created by the dam: it formed naturally when a landslide blocked the valley. In 1908, an earth dam raised and regulated the level to use the water for energy production; thus, the Klöntalersee retains its natural origins, but today it is also a regulated hydroelectric reservoir.

Its waters feed the Kraftwerk am Löntsch , the power plant located in Netstal, a village on the valley floor just north of Glarus. The name derives from the Löntsch, the outflow that flows from the lake. The dam is crossed in the final meters of the tour at Rhodannenberg, at the eastern end: the route thus ends right on the structure that regulates the lake level.

Organizing the day

Before choosing between a loop and a short visit, three pieces of information need to be considered: trail conditions, weather, and bus route 504. A full day of hiking requires at least the time indicated on the itinerary, plus stops and time for the return journey. To stay near Rhodannenberg or Vorauen, however, you can create a more compact itinerary without assigning a standard duration or difficulty. If the trail is closed due to snow or other weather conditions, the loop will be cancelled.

In summer, the official trail map suggests ending the hike with a dip in Lake Klöntalersee . The trail returns to Rhodannenberg, but this doesn't identify the location as a beach or bathing area. Before entering the water, it's important to assess the actual conditions, as there are no lifeguards or guarantees regarding water quality or safety.

Even by car, check before entering the valley, as any restrictions affect the arrival point, not just the parking lot. Bus users should pay the same attention to the last available bus: outside of the busiest days, missing it could mean missing the scheduled connection between the lake and Glarus.

Where to sleep in Klöntal and Glarus

The choice of base primarily affects the pace of your stay. Staying in the Klöntal allows you to spend more time near the lake and avoid the morning commute from the city, but availability, food, and transportation options depend on the season. For tents or campers, the municipal rule is clear: you can only stay overnight at the Güntlenau and Vorauen campgrounds , never in the parking lots. Glarus is more suitable for those who prefer having a train station and more services at their disposal, using the 504 bus for just one day, and dedicating the rest of their vacation to other areas of the canton; in return, all access to the Klöntal is subject to seasonal bus schedules.