Milchspüelersee

Milchspüelersee (also spelled Milchspülersee or simply Milchspüeler) is a high mountain lake in the municipality of Glarus Süd, in the Glarus Alps of eastern Switzerland. At roughly 2,197 m above sea level, it marks the highest point of a well-known day hike that starts at the Garichti reservoir. Its milky-turquoise water gives the lake its name.

Where is Milchspüelersee?

The lake lies in the Kärpf massif above the Linth valley, a little higher than the Garichti reservoir. A few smaller ponds sit just to its east. This is pure hiking country: no road leads to the shore.

How do you get there?

Start at Kies-Mettmen and park at the valley station of the cable car. From Zurich, drive south on the A3 to the Niederurnen exit (44), then follow main road 17 through Glarus Süd. The cable car lifts you towards the Garichti reservoir.

From there, walk along the reservoir to its far end, then follow the alp road and the Niederenbach stream towards the Sunnenbergfurggele pass. The Leglerhütte is a short distance away, and a small path drops from there to the lake and its neighbouring ponds.

• Loop from the Garichti reservoir: about 4.5 hours, 12.9 km, around 900 m of ascent and descent.
• Difficulty: T2 (mountain hiking).
• Option for sure-footed walkers: a stretch along the Niederenbach beneath the mountain, depending on water levels.

What will you see?

A mirror-smooth surface in a pale, milky blue, framed by the mountains of the Glarus region. Fireplaces stand along the shore, and on warm days people bathe here. The lake comes into view soon after you leave the Leglerhütte. Archive photographs held by the Swiss National Library, from the Alfred Graber collection, show it with Klein and Gross Kärpf behind.

Where can you rest or stay overnight?

The Leglerhütte, a Swiss Alpine Club hut, sits close to the route at the Sunnenbergfurggele. Bergwelten lists it as open from December to March and from June to October. The walk to it from the Mettmen cable car's upper station takes just under 2.5 hours. The hut is also a stage on the three-day Kärpf Trek.

When should you go?

The best season runs from May to October. Check the Kies-Mettmen cable car timetable and current trail conditions before you set off, since weather at this altitude changes quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Milchspüelersee? No. You leave the car at the cable car's valley station in Kies-Mettmen and continue on foot.

How long is the hike? The route from the Garichti reservoir to the lake and back takes about 4.5 hours and covers 12.9 km.

Is the trail difficult? It is rated T2, a standard mountain hike. You need steady footing and sturdy boots, but no climbing gear.

Can you swim in the lake? Hikers do bathe on warm days, and there are fireplaces on the shore. At over 2,000 m, though, the water is cold.