A guided tour of the Limmern pumped-storage power plant takes you 700 metres deep into machine and transformer caverns and the connecting tunnels. This technological aspect is one of Linthal’s special experiences; local history and trails offer further ways to explore the area during your stay. Linthal includes the districts of Matt, Dorf and Ennetlinth, as well as the scattered settlement of Auen to the south. Settlement initially took place on the alluvial fans of Auen, Durnagel and Ennetlinth, as well as on the mountain slopes.
Technology and high-altitude trails
The underground pumped-storage power plant pumps water from Lake Limmern to Lake Mutt, which lies 630 metres higher. The 630 metres refer to the difference in elevation between the lakes; the 700 metres mentioned in connection with the tour, by contrast, refer to how deep it takes you into the mountain. This helps put two different dimensions of the facility into perspective: the transfer of water and the underground spaces.
The hike to Lake Mutt starts in Tierfed. The first 1,000 metres of elevation gain can be covered by the KLL Tierfed–Kalktrittli cable car. The ride takes about 7.5 minutes and covers an elevation difference of 1,053 metres. The figure of around 1,000 metres of elevation gain refers to the start of the hike, while 1,053 metres describes the elevation difference covered by the cable car. The cable car operates on a self-service basis during its seasonal operating period. Check operating times if you plan to use this option.
Getting to Linthal and local trails
The nearest railway station for Tierfed is in Linthal; the walk from Linthal to Tierfed takes around 1½ hours. The S25 runs directly between Linthal and Zurich every hour. These timings answer different planning questions: around 1½ hours refers to the walk to Tierfed, while the hourly service refers to the train connection to Zurich. Check the current timetable before travelling.
Another trail option is the Glarnerland play and adventure trail. The route features a variety of balance and play elements and ends at the valley station of the Braunwald cable car in Linthal. If you would like to include a trail with a clearly specified endpoint in your plans, this route offers clear orientation. Information about the starting points, endpoint and cable car journey helps you distinguish between the activities.
Mountain history and cultural heritage
The region’s mountain history includes the first ascent of the Tödi on 11 August 1837. It was achieved by three Linthal farmers and chamois hunters: Bernhard Vögeli, his son Gabriel and Thomas Thut. The exact date and names give the ascent a specific place in local history. A historic route also leads from Linthal over the Kisten Pass to Breil/GR. It includes a packhorse and footpath over the Panten Bridge and Tor, offering another perspective on the historic importance of routes in the region.
The area’s religious history can also be traced through several dates: a chapel has been documented in Linthal since 1283 and had been elevated to parish church status by 1319 at the latest. Linthal’s interdenominational parish, which encompassed the three Tagwen, existed until 1869. The tower of the former Catholic church in Linthal is a protected cultural property. These details describe different chapters in the area’s history, from the early chapel and former parish structure to a protected historic building.
When choosing a hotel in Linthal, you can weigh up these priorities: the underground facility and Lake Mutt, trails with their respective starting points, or the region’s mountain and local history. If you are planning the hike to Lake Mutt, be sure to take the cable car’s seasonal operating times into account; for the trip to Zurich, the current S25 timetable is the relevant guide.
For an overview of the wider region: Glarus South.
