Sardona-Welterbe-Weg
Overview
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Distance 20 km
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Duration 7 h 10 min
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Ascent 1000 m
Intro
After staying overnight in the middle of the World Natural Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona, you hike through an unspoilt mountain landscape to the Foopass, accompanied by the Glarner main thrust fault on Foostock. The descent leads to Elm, facing a wonderful Glarner panorama.
Description
The stage starts at the end of the virtually uninhabited Calfeisen valley with a splendid view over the valley floor and the Gigerwald lake. The first section of the route leads along the steep slope back to the Heubützli pass. The trail climbs far above the tree line over alpine meadows, scree gullies, streams and past rock faces. With a bit of luck, you can observe a family of marmots.
Once on the pass, you look down on the Heubützli lake, situated in a scree hollow. A narrow, pointed, rocky ridge stretches out to the left and right. The trail now continues partly on the mountain ridge around the Fahnenstock and then down into the Muota valley. Here it is quite possible to be observed by ibexes (or vice versa). Their majestic silhouettes stand out impressively against the Muota valley ridge.
Numerous rocks have tumbled onto the meadows from the steep slopes on both sides. The special formations of terrain and rocks are a witness to the forces of nature that have been at work here over millions of years. Upon arrival at the Foobach rushing through deeply cut rock hollows, the descent ends and the route heads uphill once more.
Passing picturesque rock faces in the green countryside, the trail now heads towards the Foo pass. Above the Heidelbach stream, you will notice a great variety of flora. Once on top of the Foo pass, the view opens up over the massive mountain ranges of the Sernftal valley. Here you reach the highest point of the stage at 2,223 metres and begin a long descent down to Elm with its 1,041 metres above sea level.
Initially, the trail is steep and zigzags across stony slopes to Raminer Matt. Later it continues down into the valley on firmer paths through the forest. Here, one’s attention is drawn time and again to the impressive waterfalls tumbling from the cliffs on the opposite side of the slope.
During the descent, the main Glarus overthrust between Ringelspitz and Piz Sardona becomes clearly visible. The distinct horizontal line in the mountain separates two layers of rock. The supporting lower layer is more than 200 million years younger than the darker layer above.
Once at the bottom of the valley, the trail continues across the Sernf river to Elm. From here it is well worth taking a look back at the mountain scenery and the Martinsloch (Martin's hole). Twice a year, the sun shines through this drop-shaped opening to illuminate the church tower of Elm. The hole is said to have been cut into the rock in the battle between the heroic Martin and the evil giant.
In the slate museum in Elm, you can learn more about slate mining which marked this valley, and the production site of Elmer Citro offers a first-hand experience of the springs. You can descend into the spring area and learn how mineral water is generated from rain and snow deep in the Glarus mountains over the course of eight years.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Sardonahütte
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Elm
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
1000 m
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| Descent |
2200 m
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| Distance |
20 km
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| Duration |
7 h 10 min
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| Duration back |
8 h 30 min
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
June - October
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| Theme |
With panoramic view, To a mountain peak
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Quick Facts
Route number
