Mid August we visited the Sardona region for a couple of days. As mentioned in the description, the area is most famous for the ‘Glarus thrust’ whereby older mountains are located on top of younger mountains because of movement of the earth's crust. Below some practical points with respect to the three hikes we did in and around the core zone.

Elm: from the small village of Elm, the Tschinglenbahn cable car goes to the Tschinglenalp where a relatively short and easy hike to the Firstboden viewpoint starts. Starting the hike from the lower end of the cable car is also possible. From the Firstboden viewpoint there is an excellent view on the Glarus thrust and the Martinsloch (cf. picture). A small parking is available at the cable car station and also one a couple of hundred meters down the road. The fee for the cable car is CHF 18 (return ride) and on the Tschinglenalp there is a place to eat and drink (Tschinglen Wirtschaft).

Wangs: the 5 lakes hike starts in Wangs with a cable car to Furt, a chairlift from Furt to Gaffia and another chairlift from Gaffia to Pizolhütte at 2.222 meters. The hike ends at the Gaffia chairlift so the way down is somewhat shorter. A combined return ticket will set you back CHF 98 (plus CHF 5 for the (large) parking). The hike is a good 11 kilometers with three steeper sections, a total ascent of approx. 600 metres. The total decrease in altitude is about 900 metres since as mentioned the hike is not a loop but ends at the lower Gaffia chairlift. Especially the turquoise second and third lakes (Wildsee and Schottensee) are a special sight. The time needed is about 4.30 - 5 hours and note that you have to be at the Gaffia chairlift at 16.30h at the latest.

Fidaz: the Pinut via ferrata (klettersteig) starts at the small Milchseilbahn parking (with a fee of CHF 2/hour) which can also be reached by bus from the larger village of Flims. We don’t know if it’s obligatory, but it’s certainly a good idea to bring a via ferrata climbing set (belt and helmet). We rented one in Flims at the Sport Beat shop. It’s a 1 kilometre walk through the forest before the rock is reached. After the first climb there are 2 other rock faces and steep forest paths in between. Once you have climbed the third rock it’s a short walk to the top where there is a small self catering hut with a fridge (so bring coins). From here it’s all downhill to Bargis where there is a place to eat and drink (Berghaus Bargis). The hike back from the Berghaus to the parking is 2.4 kilometres, bringing the total length to almost 8 kilometres. The total ascent and descent is approx. 900 metres. From the Berghaus it’s also possible to take a bus back to the parking. The climbs are easy, not really climbing but mostly ladders. The forest parts inbetween however are at some points quite steep. So technical climbing skills are certainly not required but a decent physical condition is.