Plizio Visual Lab

Glarus Nord

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°23
Glarus Nord (Switzerland)
ℹ️

Practical info — Glarus Nord

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • The weather on Lake Walen can change quickly; always check the forecast before starting a hike.
  • The Glarus industrial heritage trails are excellent to explore by bike, consider renting an e-bike.
  • Many small mountain cable cars only accept cash or Twint, so bring Swiss Francs with you.
  • Visit the Näfelser Fahrt monument in the afternoon when the light is best for photography.

🍽 Food

🍽
Glarner Schabziger

Try this unique green herb cheese at the regional mountain inns.

🍽
Zigerhörnli

A traditional pasta dish made with Schabziger cheese, found in many local restaurants.

🍽
Glarner Pastete

A sweet almond specialty available in the village bakeries of Näfels or Niederurnen.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Factory outlets in Glarus Nord

Look for factory stores selling high-quality textiles and outdoor clothing.

🛍
Regional cheese dairies

Buy authentic Schabziger directly from the dairies in the region.

🧘
Gäsi on Lake Walen

A quiet stretch of beach and forest on the lake, great for a relaxing afternoon.

🧘
Niederurner Täli

Take the small cable car up for a peaceful hike away from the crowds.

Glarus Nord was established on January 1, 2011, through the merger of eight formerly independent municipalities and is currently the largest municipality in the canton of Glarus by area. The municipality extends from the Linth plain at approximately 420 meters up to the alpine peaks of the Glarus Alps, with the Muertschenstock forming a prominent landmark. Geographically, Lake Walen dominates the north, while the Kerenzerberg represents an important transport link toward Graubuenden. Historically, the village of Naefels is of outstanding significance; it was the site of the Battle of Naefels in 1388, which secured the final victory of the Glarus people over the Habsburgs and remains a central event in Swiss history. The architectural heritage includes magnificent buildings such as the Freulerpalast in Naefels, which now houses the Cantonal Museum. The municipality's economy today is a diverse mix of industry, innovative small businesses, and tourism. The Linth correction in the 19th century was decisive for the region's development, as it made the plain arable and protected it from flooding. In terms of tourism, Lake Walen with its water sports opportunities and the hiking and skiing area of Filzbach offer attractive destinations. Glarus Nord serves as the economic engine of the canton and benefits from good connections to the greater Zurich area via motorway and rail. The municipality places great emphasis on promoting quality of life by preserving natural spaces and strengthening local village communities.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-4-415101416151172-3
Rain mm10181102107163176173190124110103106

Geography

Population
3,657
Coordinates
47.12120, 9.06510

Facts

  • Formed by the merger of 8 municipalities in 2011
  • The Freulerpalast in Naefels is considered a Renaissance gem
  • The Battle of Naefels is celebrated annually in April
  • Lake Walen reaches depths of up to 151 meters
  • The municipality covers an area of over 146 square kilometers
  • Important location for the plastics and metal industries

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Glarus Nord (23)

Freulerpalast

Magnificent 17th-century Renaissance palace in Näfels, now housing the Glarus Cantonal Museum of history.

Lake Walen

A deep, crystal-clear lake framed by the steep cliffs of the Churfirsten and the Kerenzerberg mountains.

Kerenzerberg

A popular excursion plateau above Lake Walen, offering spectacular views of the Alps and the lake.

Näfels Battle Monument

Monument commemorating the Battle of Näfels in 1388, a significant milestone in Glarus history.

St. Hilarius Parish Church

The baroque Catholic church in Näfels impresses with its magnificent interior decoration and architecture.

Obersee

An idyllic mountain lake above Näfels, surrounded by dense forests and striking mountain peaks.

Haltli

A historic manor house in Näfels, known for its elegant architecture and well-maintained gardens.

Näfels-Mollis Airfield

A former military airfield now used for civil aviation and major regional events and flight shows.

Oberer Fabrikweiher🌿 nature

Oberer Fabrikweiher in Glarus Nord is an idyllic body of water in a historically industrial setting.

Tankgraben🌿 nature

Tankgraben is a narrow natural stream in the Glarus Nord landscape.

Torfstichsee🌿 nature

Torfstichsee in Glarus Nord is a natural body of water that invites visitors to observe the local flora and fauna.

Chinderschloss👨‍👩‍👧 family

Chinderschloss in Glarus Nord has children a fairy-tale environment for play.

Altes Strandbad👨‍👩‍👧 family

A traditional public bath in Glarus Nord, handy for a summer day by the water.

Burgruine Niederwindegg🏰 castle

This historic site in Glarus Nord recalls the medieval past of the area. The ruins offer a fascinating insight into regional history.

Roman Castle (about 25 BC)🏺 historical

On the Biberlichopf, there are the remains of a Roman watchtower dating back to around 25 BC. The site once served to monitor the important transport routes at Lake Walen.

Ruine Vorburg🏰 castle

The Vorburg ruins above Oberurnen are a medieval castle site from the 13th century. From the walls, one can enjoy a wonderful view over the Linth region.

Altweesen, spätrömisches Kastell / mittelalterliche Wüstung🏺 historical

This archaeological site near Glarus Nord reveals significant finds from antiquity. Visitors can see the remains of past civilizations here.

Festung Niederberg🏰 castle

This historic site in Glarus Nord recalls the medieval past of the area. The ruins offer a fascinating insight into regional history.

Rothaus🏺 historical

This attraction in Glarus Nord is an interesting destination for a local excursion. It reflects the character and history of the town.

Dreifaltigkeitskapelle⛪ religious

This church is a significant religious building in Glarus Nord. Visitors can appreciate the sacred architecture and the peaceful atmosphere.

Sankt Georg⛪ religious

This church is a significant religious building in Glarus Nord. Visitors can appreciate the sacred architecture and the peaceful atmosphere.

Katholische Bühlkirche Hl. Kreuz⛪ religious

This church is a significant religious building in Glarus Nord. Visitors can appreciate the sacred architecture and the peaceful atmosphere.

Linth-Escher-Auditorium📍 landmark

The Linth-Escher-Auditorium is located in a former military facility within the Kerenzerberg tunnel. Today, the underground space serves as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions.

Frequently asked questions

What is Glarus Nord?
A large municipality in the canton of Glarus, encompassing several villages.
Which lake is in Glarus Nord?
Lake Walensee partially borders the municipality's area.
Are there hiking areas?
Yes, the Kerenzerberg provides great hiking trails and a toboggan run.
What is a culinary specialty?
Schabziger, a special herb cheese from the Glarus region.
How to reach Glarus Nord?
By train via Ziegelbrücke or via the A3 highway.
Glarus Nord: where is it located?
Glarus Nord is located in Switzerland.
Glarus Nord: what is there to see?
Highlights include Freulerpalast, Lake Walen, Kerenzerberg.
Glarus Nord: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Glarus Nord: why is it worth visiting?
Glarus Nord was established on January 1, 2011, through the merger of eight formerly independent municipalities and is currently the largest municipality in the canton of Glarus by area.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Switzerland →

Nearby cities

History & landmarks

Nature

More places