From Mettmen-Alp to Elm: Exploring Glarnerland

One gondola ride and there it is: this spectacular view of mountains and valleys. But when at Mettmen-Alp, don’t just gaze into the distance. Early in the morning, the wildlife reserve is teeming with life. Keep an eye out for chamois, ibex and deer, as you walk around the idyllic Garichti reservoir and enjoy a foot bath in the crystal-clear waters.

The Naturfründehuus Mettmen is a great place to stop for lunch. While our sausages sizzled on the barbecue, the children explored the adjacent playground. We made ourselves comfortable in the deckchairs on the sun terrace and once again admired the magnificent view.

In the afternoon, book a guided tour through the high moor. Hans, a professional hunter, led us first on the 1 km nature trail and later on the Kneipp path through the ice-cold mountain stream. On the way, we learned about the wildlife reserve and also saw a golden eagle – and were not exactly pleased that it was hunting marmots.

Don’t miss the large sun terrace of the Berghotel Mettmen with its spectacular views of the valley. There, we enjoyed the “Mettmen-Plättli” with alpine cheese from the Mettmen-Alp. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a cup of coffee, while the children had fun in the playground with its swings, slide and playhouse.

Back in the valley, let the day end as it begun: with the most beautiful mountain views. At the 140-year-old Hotel Segnes, hosts Werner and Susanna Rhyner surprised us with a traditional Glarus menu. You should have seen the kids’ faces! But after some initial skepticism, they devoured their “Glarus net roast”. Later, we spent the night in a lovely family room with bunk bed in the newly renovated part of the hotel.

Get ready for action on the Ämpächli! The “giant welcome” really got us going. The race over the wooden Tschingelhörner made us realize that bigger doesn’t always mean faster. After the adults had to admit defeat twice, we spent the rest of the hike searching for clues about the giants and the legend of Martinsloch.

You can’t explore, play and experiment at 17 interactive stations without a break, and we had wisely bought a packed lunch at the Bergrestaurant Ämpächli when we set off. We grilled some sausages on the “giant barbecue” at the “giant school”, while the children balanced over tree trunks and stone paths on the obstacle course and wrote their names on the “giant slate board.

Eating ice cream, washing gold, stroking goats and jumping on the trampoline – after your “giant adventure”, a stop at the Ämpächli children’s paradise is well deserved. We too recharged our batteries there, before riding back down to Elm on speedy scooters. In the evening, on the train home, we all agreed that this would not be our last visit to this corner of the Glarnerland.