Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Via Alpina, Stage 4/20
ElmLinthal
- Distance
- 25.0 km
- Duration
- 9:10 h
- Ascent
- 1650 m
- Descent
- 1950 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Hard
- Route type
- One way
- Season
- June - September
01/ Overview
The route
Elm lies in the GeoPark where the Glarner main thrust fault clearly reveals the creation of the Alps. Surrounded by rock bastions, the silted-up Wichlensee lake, resembles an amphitheatre. After the steep Richetlipass, the lonely Durnachtal awaits.
From the Elm, Station bus stop, the route leads through the village, past the village square and the church. The path soon climbs towards Ämpächli and enters the forest. At Älpli, an inn stands directly on the route. Open meadows and stretches of woodland then alternate as the hiking trail continues its long ascent into the Glarus mountains.
From the second half onwards, the mountain trail becomes more pronounced, leading through open terrain that grows rocky higher up. Richetlipass marks the crossing between the Sernftal near Elm and the Linthtal. Shortly afterwards, near Leiterberg at around 2,265 metres, the highest point of the hike is reached.
A long descent now follows, initially across broad slopes and later through forest. Towards the valley floor, the path widens again and reaches the first houses of Linthal. After 25 kilometres and a good nine hours, the hike ends directly at Linthal railway station.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
Elm: Ämpächli - Ober Ämpächli
From 4 May 2026 – Until 1 Nov 2026
Infolge Bau- & Unterhaltsarbeiten ist die Strecke zwischen Bergrestaurant Älpli und Ober Ämpächli gesperrt. Bitte benützen sie die markierte Umleitung. Kontakt: 058 611 97 11, Gemeinde Glarus Süd, Wald und Landwirtschaft
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
