Bödmeren primeval forest
Primeval Forest Reserve
At the very back of the Muota Valley, one of the most primeval forests in the Alps has survived: the Bödmerenwald, which covers around 550 ha. Parts of it are similar to primeval forest, so have hardly been influenced by man. It grows on a vast karst landscape riddled with ditches and fractures.
The striking columnar crown shape of many spruces is an adaptation to the large amounts of snow. Gnarled, weathered mountain pines grow on dry rocky outcrops, and strangely twisted bog birch trees grow in the coldest hollows and out of rock crevices.
Primeval forest Pavilion
The “Primeval forest Pavilion” is located on the pass road opposite the Unter Roggenloch Alpine farm. The exhibition is the ideal introduction to the theme of the Bödmeren Forest and at the same time the starting point for the “Primeval Forest Trail”. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a 3 x 1.5m hidden object picture, with drawers and illustrative material. Next to it, the drill core of the oldest spruce in Europe can be viewed. The pavilion and the “Urwaldspur” theme trail can be reached from Muotathal or from Glarus on the pass road over the Pragel.
- It is a narrow, single-lane and steep mountain road, which is only passable in summer.
- The pass road is closed to through traffic on weekends (Sat. and Sun.) and access by car is only possible from Muotathal.
- For taxi services to the pavilion, the Pragel garage can be contacted: info@pragel-garage.ch/ Tel. +41 41 830 11 81
- Hiking trails see hiking map(location Roggenloch)
- The Bödmeren primeval forest reserve cannot be reached by public transport.
Primeval forest trail
On the “Urwaldspur” theme trail starting at the “Urwaldpavillon”, you can discover the phenomena of this habitat for yourself with the help of a brochure available there. Duration: around one hour pure hiking time, length 3.5 km, 170 metres altitude difference, on mountain trails.
Hikers are also recommended to take the 10 km long primeval forest trail without special information from Eigeliswald. Duration: 3 h and 469 m difference in altitude on mountain trails.
