Niederurnen is an industrial village in a hollow at the entrance to the Niederurner Täli. The Täli opens up a hiking area; from Hirzli, the view stretches as far as Lake Zurich and the Glarus Alps. In the village, the church, vineyard and traces of industrial history tell other stories about the village. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can consider whether hiking or local history should be the focus of your stay.
Hiking, Views and Trails in the Täli
The Niederurnen–Morgenholz cable car takes up to eight people to the Niederurner Täli in ten minutes and opens up the hiking area around the valley. As operating status can change, check the latest service information before travelling.
The Hirzli picnic and viewpoint is north of the mountain station. From there, the view stretches across the Linth region to Lake Zurich and the Glarus Alps. The hike to the viewpoint takes about three hours with children. The hiking trails in the Niederurner Täli are well signposted.
The sculpture discovery trail in the Niederurner Täli has been open since 2002. So, in addition to views and hiking trails, there is also a sculpture-focused activity. If you are interested in a bike tour, a route from the Glarus region via Siebnen and Rossweidhöchi leads through the Niederurner Täli on a long descent.
The Flüewald at the far end of the Täli offers a different landscape and is surrounded by fens. Moss and dwarf shrubs on the boulders give it its distinctive character. The long descent on the bike tour and the approximately three-hour hike to Hirzli offer different ways to spend your time in the valley.
Village History and Townscape
Niederurnen and Oberurnen originally belonged to Gaster and were annexed by the people of Glarus in 1386. ZiegelbrĂĽcke, once a transshipment station for Linth cargo ships, is also part of Niederurnen. From 1830 onwards, numerous industrial companies settled in Niederurnen. Among the most important businesses that have remained are Eternit near the railway station and the Jenny company in ZiegelbrĂĽcke.
The townscape is considered regionally significant, thanks to its location at the distinctive entrance to the main Glarus valley, the spatial qualities of the village centre and certain qualities of architectural history. The present-day Reformed church replaced St Wendelin’s Chapel in 1659. A plaque on the southwest wall of the nave commemorates a shipwreck in 1678.
The vineyard below the little castle is first documented around 1640. Together with the ruins of Ober Windegg Castle, it is a landmark of Niederurnen and an important part of the townscape. The Dämmli also connects a former and present-day purpose: it was part of a shooting range and is now used for walks.
Getting There and More Things to Do
To reach the cable car, take the train to Ziegelbrücke. From there, take PostBus route 511 or 512 towards Mühlehorn/Mollis to the “Niederurnen, Ochsenplatz” stop. Then walk for ten minutes along the village stream. Routes and timetables may change; check your connection before travelling.
The Bodenberg children’s ski lift is 260 metres long and operates daily during school holidays. A ski bus takes skiers directly from the cable car’s mountain station to the lift. Check the latest service information before visiting, especially if your trip falls during school holidays.
Discover more destinations: Nidfurn, Engi, Elm, Glarus, Näfels, Braunwald, Obstalden, Mollis.
Go to the main travel overview: Glarus.
