High above the Klontalersee lies Vrenelisgärtli. A breathtaking viewpoint it is. Legend whispers of Vreneli a girl who dared to plant a garden on this lofty peak. She defied the gods. They punished her with a blizzard. Vreneli and her copper pot were buried beneath the snow.
Vrenelisgärtli’s name means Verena’s little garden. This is the easternmost summit of the Glärnisch Massif. It’s part of the Glarus Alps. The easiest route climbs from the Klontalersee. It winds through the Rossmatter Valley. Beautiful waterfalls line the path. Hikers reach the Glärnischhütte SAC. From there they cross the Glärnischfirn glacier. A challenging climb follows. Then the Schwander Grat ridge leads to the summit.
The views are spectacular. The Gross Kärpf Selbsanft Bifertenstock Tödi and Clariden mountains surround Vrenelisgärtli. Far below shimmers the Klontalersee. This relatively easy high-altitude hike is perfect for beginners. It offers a taste of glacier hiking and mountaineering.
Another more difficult route ascends from Glarus. It goes over Oberstafel and the Guppengrat ridge. This route is steep and challenging. Not for the faint of heart.
But the most captivating aspect of Vrenelisgärtli is its enduring legend. It’s a tale of ambition nature’s wrath and a girl forever frozen in time. A small rectangular patch of snow remains. It stubbornly clings to the mountainside. This persistent snowdrift is all that remains of Vreneli’s ill-fated garden. It’s a reminder of nature’s power and the enduring strength of a story told and retold for generations. It reminds us of Vrenelisgärtli’s magical aura and its enduring allure.