Via Alpina Étape 5 : Linthal - Urnerboden

The place

#### From Linthal to Braunwald: A Captivating Ascent From the village of Linthal, in the south of the Glarus region and the largest in area, a steep forest trail leads to Braunwald, a sunny clearing. The path offers a steady climb, thanks to sturdy dry-stone retaining walls. #### Impressive Panorama and Welcome to Braunwald In Braunwald, the absence of motorised traffic preserves the tranquillity of the sunny terrace, offering a breathtaking view of the Richetli pass, Elm and iconic peaks such as the Ortstock and the Tödi, the highest point of the municipality and the Canton of Glarus at 3,614 metres. #### On the Trails of Biodiversity The route continues along the slopes of the Ortstock, crossing shaded forests, babbling streams and waterfalls. Heading towards Nussbühl, a restaurant overlooks the rock face, then the path crosses the Balmwald forest to the Balmboden meadow. #### Through the Urnerboden Alp After Vorder Stafel, the panorama opens onto Urnerboden, the largest alpine pasture in Switzerland with its 1,200 cows. Although geographically within Glarus, this mountain valley is an exclave of Spiringen, in the Canton of Uri. #### Arrival along the Fätschbach Stream The route ends with a gentle climb towards Urnerboden, following the Fätschbach stream and opening out into wide, rugged terrain. The highlight of this demanding hike is the stillness, broken only by the melodic three-tone horn of the postal bus.