Engi combines a distinctive mining history with traces of valley transport and a variety of ways to spend time outdoors. The village is in the municipality of Glarus Süd in the canton of Glarus and consists of Vorderdorf, Dörfli and Hinterdorf. It was settled at the entrance to the Mülibach valley, which also includes the Mühlebach alpine pasture. The three districts provide a useful way to orient yourself when choosing individual Engi experiences for your stay.
Bridges and Trails Through Local History
The Engi Bridge has been documented as an important crossing for traffic through the valley since 1460. The stone bridge over the Sernf is also one of the village’s older structures: it dates from around 1600. A surviving wall anchor with a hook and ring at the Wydenhaus recalls its former use as a pack-animal inn. In 1525, the house served as a resting place for muleteers and their animals. Together, these places tell the story of transport routes and supplies in the valley, without requiring a lengthy historical introduction.
Slate Mining and the Landesplattenberg Experience
Slate was mined at the Landesplattenberg from at least the 16th century; mining ended in 1961. One figure from the mine’s history illustrates its importance: in 1837, more than 200 people worked there in Engi. Today, guided tours are offered through the tunnel system. The tunnel entrance lies 120 metres above the valley and leads into the mountain, where large chambers supported by slate pillars open up. They are more than 20 metres high. The Landesplattenberg Experience is not wheelchair accessible. Visitor arrangements may change, so check the latest tour information before visiting.
At Plattenberg, there are fossilised fish, birds and turtles dating back around 35 million years. Slate itself also continues to shape the region’s crafts: furniture, watches and accessories, including genuine slate boards, are still made in the Sernftal from material mined in Engi. You can buy slate products at the Landesplattenberg Pavilion in Engi-Hinterdorf.
Railway and Mining History in Vorderdorf
The Sernftal Railway Museum opened in the Engi Vorderdorf freight shed in 2009. In 2015, a garden railway was set up in front of the museum as an additional family attraction. It is therefore advisable to check the current information when planning a visit. The freight shed and traces of the former muleteer traffic represent different chapters of local history: the railway on the one hand, and the transport of goods and the inn along the valley route on the other.
Forest Hike and Cross-Country Ski Trail
A three-hour hike from Engi Vorderdorf to Engi Hinterdorf leads through the Glarner Wald forest reserve. Along the way, deadwood is an important part of the forest: it contributes to biodiversity and forest regeneration. Seasonal trail conditions may affect access, so check them before setting out. The app for the Glarner Waldperlen experience offers GPS navigation as well as stories, games and information on site. It adds digital content to the forest experience, while the hike itself connects the two districts.
In winter, the Engi–Matt cross-country ski trail runs from Matt to Engi along the historic Suvorov route. Both classic cross-country skiing and skating are listed as seven kilometres long. The trail begins in Engi-Hinterdorf, at the Plattenberg bus stop near the car park. Whether the trail is open depends on snow conditions; transport arrangements may also change. Check both before your trip. Unlike the three-hour forest hike, what matters here is not walking time, but the choice between two cross-country skiing styles and the prevailing snow conditions.
Golf in Engi
Another activity in Engi is a 9-hole short course run by Golf Glarnerland in the Sardona UNESCO World Heritage Site. The facility has chipping and putting greens for practising the short game. Three alternative tee positions extend up to 118 metres; the course layout may change. Engi therefore offers several distinct interests side by side: mining and local history, a forest hike, cross-country skiing on the trail, or golf. You can decide which will shape your trip based on the relevant conditions and the time you have available.
Discover more destinations: Näfels, Filzbach, Matt, Mollis, Obstalden, Glarus, Niederurnen, Mühlehorn
Return to the main travel overview: Glarus.
