Glarus: Start & End Point
Climb past the emerald Klöntalersee over Pragelpass, tackle the remote gravel of Chinzig Chulm and conquer the legendary Klausenpass before descending back home.
One of my favorites gravel routes, but not an easy one
First things first: Only the final section over the Chinzig Chulm (Kinzigpass) is true gravel. For the rest of the route, road alternatives are frequently available if you want to save time. Including breaks, this loop takes a full day, so a shortcut might come in handy. I also highly recommend bringing your own supplies and not relying solely on restaurants along the way. At the top of the Pragelpass, you’ll encounter a proper gravel sector, which can easily be bypassed via the main pass road, which is absolutely stunning anyway. Finally, the bike path from Linthal back to Glarus isn’t entirely paved, but despite the mixed surfaces, it is still the route I highly recommend.
Total climbing: 3706 m
Total time: 09:21:24
Start at Glarus Station
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The first climb starts right out of the gate. Expect a solid hour on tarmac with 620 meters of elevation. Since this is a gravel loop, proper gearing will definitely come in handy here. The climb mirrors a steep alpine pass, featuring some seriously crisp ramps, but it’s nothing a strong rider can’t handle.
Take a quick break at Restaurant Schwammhöhe to enjoy the iconic view over Klöntalersee. From there, a brief cobblestone descent leads you to the lakeside road, offering stunning views of the imposing Glärnisch (2,915m), a landmark peak of the Glarus Alps visible from afar.
Up to Pragelpass
Not far into the ride, the route traces the shores of the scenic Klöntalersee before tackling the second major challenge: another 760 meters of climbing over roughly 10 kilometers. Approaching from Glarus, the Pragelpass is highly rewarding, especially with the flat stretch along the lake offering a perfect mid-climb recovery. I highly prefer this side; the ascent from Muotathal is notoriously steep and best avoided. The road itself is quite narrow for an alpine pass, but thanks to the weekend motorized traffic ban, it offers a much quieter and more cyclist-friendly environment than most other major passes.
