Some hikes you remember for the view. Others you remember because a familiar mountain shows you its face from the other side — in this case Vrenelisgärtli. This easy circular hike on the Weissenberge terrace in Switzerland’s Glarus region delivers both. But first things first.
Reisememo hiking tip:
Stäfeli circular hike (No. 20), Weissenberge, canton of Glarus
- Distance: 10.6 km
- Duration: approx. 3:30 h
- Elevation gain / loss: 501 m
- Highest point: Stäfeli ski hut, 1,767 m
- Difficulty/fitness: easy hike
- Getting there:
- By car: From Zurich or Chur take the A3, exit toward Glarnerland, then follow the main road via Näfels and Glarus into the Sernftal valley, branching off toward Elm as far as Matt and the valley station of the Weissenberge cable car. There are free parking spaces there.
- By public transport: Take the train (from Zurich or Chur) to Ziegelbrücke, change to the regional train to Schwanden, and there catch the Sernftal bus to Matt and the cable car valley station. Timetables: sbb.ch and sernftalbus.ch.
Our little hiking crew — that’s Walter, me, Gabi and Alex — had set its sights on the Weissenberge sun terrace above the small village of Matt. The Stäfeli circular hike, to be precise, listed in the official brochure simply as “No. 20.” Sounds unspectacular. The view begs to differ.
Cable car up to the Weissenberge sun terrace
We start in the Sernftal valley, in the village of Matt. There’s free parking at the cable car’s valley station. Car parked, backpacks shouldered, and the cable car sways us 400 vertical meters upward in three and a half minutes.
At the top, the area lives up to its name: lush green meadows, scattered barns and huts, cowbells as background music.
“Sun terrace” isn’t tourist-brochure hyperbole — it’s an accurate description of the place.
Trail No. 20 – the Stäfeli loop
From the mountain station (1,266 m) the trail climbs across the Ängisboden up to the Stäfeli ski hut at 1,767 meters. Roughly 500 vertical meters up, a bit of traversing at the top, then back down the other side.
And in between: lush alpine flower meadows, shady forests, and those classic scattered Glarus settlements that leave you wondering who exactly builds all these huts this far up — and why it looks so outrageously idyllic.
The ascent unfolds at a pleasant pace. You sweat enough to properly earn your lunch later, but not too much.
Vrenelisgärtli – but from the "back side"
Anyone who spends time in the Glarus region knows Vrenelisgärtli, the summit in the Glärnisch massif.
Its distinctive V-shaped snowfield is visible from the Zurich lowlands and half the canton. We all know it — from the front. The way you know the face of a good friend.
But on the Weissenberge hike, you’re looking at Vrenelisgärtli’s back. It’s astonishing how much a familiar mountain turns into a stranger once you see it from the other side.
A stop at Berggasthaus Edelwyss – here's to Fridolin
To round off the loop we stop in at the cozy Berggasthaus Edelwyss — the one whose large, partly covered terrace opens up a wide view into the mountains.
Plenty of what lands on your plate here is homemade, and the lamb, beef and pork come from the inn’s own farm.
And because you’re in the Glarus region, it comes with a Glarus beer: the “Fridolin Kundert,” a dark classic from the Adler brewery in Schwanden.
Roasted malt gives it its easy-drinking character — and the man it’s named after is none other than the brewing family’s great-great-grandfather, who gazes out at you from the label behind an impressive mustache.
You couldn’t ask for a better fit: the patron saint of the canton of Glarus is also called Fridolin, and he strides right across the cantonal flag, staff in hand.
A Fridolin on the bottle, a Fridolin on the coat of arms — with that name, you’re rarely alone in the Glarus region.
For dessert, your best bet is a vegan ice cream from the Kalte Lust brand.
Good to know: information on the Stäfeli Weissenberge circular hike
Matt – Weissenberge cable car
Runs year-round according to the timetable. 400 vertical meters in three and a half minutes.
Fares (as of July 2026):
- Round trip: adults CHF 18 (about $22) / children CHF 9 (about $11)
Contact: Luftseilbahn Matt – Weissenberge, CH-8766 Matt, tel. +41 (0)55 642 15 46, www.weissenberge.ch
Where to eat: Berggasthaus Edelwyss
Open all year (see website for opening hours), a kitchen with plenty of homemade dishes and meat from the inn’s own farm, a large panoramic terrace and an adventure playground for kids. Overnight accommodation available.
Tel. +41 (0)55 642 24 26, www.berggasthaus-edelwyss.ch
Best time to go: the summer half of the year for hiking; the area is also well worth a trip in winter for snowshoeing, skiing and sledding.
