Via Alpina Étape 3 : Weisstannen - Elm

The place

#### Alp Siez: Milk from Neighbouring Alps and Alpine Know-How Fresh milk from the surrounding alpine pastures is piped to the Alp Siez dairy, a sign of the region's blend of tradition and modernity. #### Educational Trails and Alpine Wildlife Starting altitude: 1,000 metres at the village of Weisstannen. Route: Path following the Seez river and taking the Ibex Educational Trail. Species to observe: Ibex, chamois, red deer, marmots and golden eagles. Highlights: Reintroduction of the ibex to the region in 1911, with information boards along the way explaining how their age is read from the growth rings of their horns. #### Culinary Discovery at Altitude Key stage: Alp Vorsiez. Specialities: Local dairy products, available for tasting and purchase. #### Gourmet Stop and an Imposing Waterfall Point of interest: Walabütz, Untersäss's seasonal tavern. Natural attraction: Isengrindfall, a 230-metre-high waterfall. #### Mosaic of Landscapes and Rich Ecosystem Notable stretch: Between green hills and the Seez river in the valley. #### Ascent to the Foo Pass Challenge: Hiking trail growing steeper towards the Foo mountain hut. Foo Pass: The high point of the stage to be crossed, offering a breathtaking view of the Glarus mountains. #### Descent to Elm Route: Crossing Raminer Matt and descending to Mittelstafel. Sights along the way: Two waterfalls are revealed on the route down to Elm. #### Elm: A Glarus Village Steeped in History Features: Half-timbered house architecture, winner of the Wakker Prize for the preservation of Swiss heritage. Cultural curiosities: The Tschingelhörner and the Martinsloch, where the sun passes through a rock opening and illuminates Elm's church tower twice a year. #### A Unique Natural Phenomenon Phenomenon: The sun shines through the Martinsloch straight onto Elm's church tower, creating a spectacular lighting effect twice a year.