Uncrowded hike in Switzerland: Hiking Blog: Garichti - Mettmensee
The circular hike at the Garichti Reservoir is a must for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. This route leads through the oldest wildlife reserve in Europe, offering breathtaking views of the Glarus Alps. One of my absolute favourite hikes I've done so far and the views were stunning, barley any people (fav thing) and just so many waterfalls. Here are all the details you need to know about the hike.
Getting There:
The hike starts at the mountain station of the "Kies-Mettmen" cable car. From Schwanden in the canton of Glarus, a regular bus runs to the cable car's valley station. It’s recommended to park at the P+R in Schwanden and take the bus, as the road to the station is narrow and winding. The cable car takes you to Mettmen Alp at 1,599 meters in just a few minutes. It's a really old gondola in a cute red colour, it's an experience for itself. They do have a smaller parking space at the gondola station too.
Key Details:
- Duration: About 2.5 hours
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: Approx. 7.2 kilometers
- Elevation Gain/Loss: Around 410 meters up and down
- Best Season: Early June to late October
The Hiking Route:
After reaching the top station, the path first leads to the picturesque Garichti Reservoir, also known as Mettmensee. Situated at 1,625 meters, the lake is surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. From the lake, walking anticlockwise, the trail steadily ascends, the beginning is probably the hardest part and continues up to Matzlenfurggelen. Along the way, you might spot marmots or chamois in the wild (I barley am that lucky) and some cute cows. We even saw a little frog and lizards.
After reaching Matzlenfurggelen, the trail gently descends past small mountain lakes located at 1,800 meters. There's a natural rock bridge, carved over centuries by the Niederenbach stream, spans around 50 meters and is one of the region’s most impressive geological formations.
Return via the Niederen Alpine Farm:
After Kärpfbrugg, the path leads to the Niederen Alpine Farm at 1,795 meters — a perfect spot for a snack break. From there, a gentle alpine road descends back to the Garichti Reservoir and the cable car station.
Cable Car and Prices:
The "Kies-Mettmen" cable car runs regularly between the valley station in Kies and the mountain station in Mettmen. Current timetables and prices are available on the official cable car website. It's a really cute red cable car, in which you've to stand, but have a really good view on the waterfall.
Berghotel Mettmen:
Right next to the mountain station is Berghotel Mettmen, which opened in 2016. It offers comfortable rooms and excellent cuisine. The cozy terrace is the perfect place to relax after your hike, with a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains. We had amazing lunch here after our hike. Also it was raining on that day, so it was perfect to dry after our hike.
Final Thoughts:
It’s an unforgettable experience for any hiking fan, even for beginners. It's such a beautiful place, so calm and beautiful. Definitly a good hiking idea to do in 2025. Let me know how your hike was, saw any animals?
Your Xenia 🚶✨