Braunwald Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail: A Step-by Step Family Guide
- Family Fun Factor
- Apr 23
- 7 min read
A Dwarf Bartli story-led hike with dwarf-themed play stations, a rope park, and five route options; four of the five routes are not suitable for strollers.
Braunwald | Canton GL | Switzerland
2026 Season Opening: Already open
🏆 Part of our Family Adventure Map featuring top themed hikes in Switzerland. 🏆
What makes Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail in Braunwald special: The "it" factor
🧙 A dwarf-themed adventure that feels authentic – castles carved into rocks, caves, forest huts and magical play stations that are part of the story, not just added alongside it.
🥾 Five different route options – from stroller-friendly walks to a full-day adventure, making it easy to adapt the day to your family.
🌲 Two completely different landscapes – combine open mountain views with magical forest trails.
🧗 Extra activities included – rope park, playgrounds and Crazy Jump make it easy to turn this into a full day out.
🚠 A car-free mountain village – Braunwald itself feels like part of the adventure.
🔥 Lots of barbecue spots – perfect for families who like to combine hiking with a picnic.
Don't feel like reading? Watch a Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail video instead!
Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail in Braunwald Walk Through Video
Plan your visit: Quick overview
Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail in Braunwald at a glance
📍 Starting point: Begins and ends in Braunwald (accessible with a funicular)
🥾 Hike type: Access with funicular and a chairlift · 5 trail options (4 downhill or uphill, 1 circular)
🎉 Fun Factor: Dwarf Bartli story-led trail with authentic play stations along the way · Rope park (suitable from 4 years old) · Playgrounds
🍽️ Food factor:
Restaurant Gumen – table service with panoramic views.
Restaurant Grotzenbüel – self-service by the rope park.
Restaurant Cristal – table service near the bottom of the Grotzenbüel gondola.
⚡ Fitness Factor:
Easy path but good shoes required
Distance: Varies by route - 3.8 km - 8.3 km options (with play and food breaks, it took us full day)
👶 Stroller friendliness: Four routes not suitable for strollers, one route suitable for strollers.
💰 Value factor: Varies by route
Full, Forest & Stroller Friendly Adventure:
Braunwald funicular (return), Gumen or Grotzenbüel (single):
Adults (16+): CHF 24.00
GA/Halbtax: CHF 19.00
Kids (6-15): 12.00
Peak Adventure:
Braunwald funicular (return), Gumen (single) and Grotzenbüel (single):
Adults (16+): CHF 42.00
GA/Halbtax: CHF 35.00
Kids (6-15): 22.00
No Gondola Adventure:
Braunwald funicular (return)
Adults (16+): CHF 15.20
GA/Halbtax: CHF 7.60
Kids (6-15): 7.60
Prices are indicative - always check official website
Plan your visit: Practical info
Arrival by car: Park at the bottom Braunwald funicular in Linthal (Stachelbergweg 2, 8783 Linthal)
Arrival by public transport: Take a train to Linthal Braunwaldbahn.
Take the funicular up to Braunwald. All adventures start and end there.
To return, take the funicular from Braunwald down to Linthal Braunwaldbahn.
Pick up the Bartli Adventure Trail map from the funicular ticket office. All the attractions and adventure stations are marked on the map to help guide you along the way
🚡 Choose your Adventure:
1️⃣ Peak Adventure(≈3.8 km, ↓ 350 m, no strollers)
Walk ~15 min to the Gumen gondola/chairlift, then ride up to Gumen the start.
Stops: 🏰 Bartli’s Castle Ruins with Magic Throne Room, Gemstone Cavern, Dwarves’ Cave, Bartli’s Bark Hut.
🎒 Bonus fun: Finish at the rope park (from 4 yrs) or playground - both are located right next to the Grotzenbüel gondola station.
Take the Grotzenbüel gondola down
Walk back to the Music Chest (final stop near the funicular).
2️⃣ Forest Adventure(≈4.2 km, ↓ 350 m, no strollers)
Walk ~10 min to the Grotzenbüel gondola, then ride up to start. Walk down.
Stops: Bartli’s Bark Hut, Dwarves’ Tower, Water Playground, Magic Forest, Tiidi’s House, Music Chest (Braunwald funicular station).
🎒 Bonus: Start with the rope park or playground below before hiking - both are located right next to the Grotzenbüel gondola station.
3️⃣ Full Adventure(≈8.3 km, ↓ 700 m, no strollers)
Start from Gumen, end in Braunwald — includes all stops above (adventure 1 & 2 combined).
4️⃣ Stroller-Friendly Adventure(≈3.5 km, ↓ 320 m, stroller-friendly)
Ride up to Grotzenbüel and follow the trail pass the Dwarves’ Tower via Schwändiberg down to the Music Chest.
🎒 Bonus: Start with the rope park or playground below before hiking - both are located right next to the Grotzenbüel gondola station.
Of course all these trails can be done uphill if you prefer!
5️⃣ No-Gondola Adventure(≈3 km, ± 120 m, no strollers)
Starts right at the Braunwald funicular station.
Stops: Tiidi’s House, Water Playground, Magic Forest, Dwarves’ Tower, and loop back.
Plan your visit: Detailed guide
Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail in Braunwald - Everything else parents will want to know
Braunwald is a small, charming car-free mountain village at 1,256 metres above sea level. To get there, you leave your car in Linthal and take a funicular up the mountain. It's also home to Bartli the Dwarf, who features in many of the family adventures here. With themed trails, treasure hunts, playgrounds, rope parks and beautiful mountain scenery, Braunwald is one of those places where it's easy to keep kids outdoors all day long.
Here are our top 4 Fun Factors of Bartli the Dwarf Adventure Trail in Braunwald
Immerse yourself in the Bartli's stories
Bartli is Braunwald's beloved fairytale character – a friendly dwarf with a long beard, red trousers and a green jumper who lives in a hidden hut deep in the enchanted forest above the village. Each summer, he emerges from his winter sleep to welcome families and show them his favourite magical places. Along the route, you'll discover story stations that bring Bartli's adventures to life.
Discover Bartli's Magical World
At each story station, kids will find something to explore or play with, whether it's a dwarf castle carved into the rocks, a wooden hut hidden in the forest, or a play area inside a cave. What we particularly liked is that the activities feel authentic and are woven into the story rather than simply added alongside it. Some of the stations require a short detour from the main path, but we found them well worth the extra effort and they make the whole experience feel much more immersive.
Climb Through the Braunwald Rope Park
If your kids still have energy left, the Braunwald Rope Park is a fantastic addition to the day. Located right next to the Grotzenbüel gondola station, it features four courses with 45 climbing elements, suspension bridges, zip lines and obstacles for different ages and abilities. Children can start from the age of 4 on the easier courses, while older kids can tackle the more challenging routes.
What we particularly liked is the safety system. Once clipped in at the start, children remain continuously attached throughout the course and don't need to unclip and reclip themselves between obstacles. This makes the experience feel much safer and more relaxed, especially for younger children and nervous parents.
The rope park is not huge, but it is very family-focused and a lot of fun.
Hit the Playgrounds
The trail also passes two great playgrounds at Grotzenbüel – one right next to the mountain station and another lower down. If you're doing the full trail, they make perfect spots for a break between the forest and mountain sections. If you're only doing one section, they are a great place to start or finish your adventure and let the kids burn off some extra energy.
Take on the Crazy Jump
Right next to the Grotzenbüel mountain station and rope park, kids can soar high into the air on the Crazy Jump. Safely attached to elastic ropes, they can bounce, jump and even attempt flips while enjoying the mountain views. It's a fun extra activity and a great reward after completing the trail.
The fitness factor
One thing we really liked about this trail is the flexibility. Depending on your family's energy levels, time available and whether you have a stroller, you can choose from several different route options:
Peak Adventure: ~3.8 km, mostly downhill, no stroller
Forest Adventure: ~4.2 km, mostly downhill, no stroller
Full Adventure: ~8.3 km, combines both routes, no stroller
Stroller-Friendly Adventure: ~3.5 km, mostly downhill, stroller-friendly
No-Gondola Adventure: ~3 km loop from Braunwald, no stroller
Most routes are predominantly downhill, over safe mountain trails, making them very manageable for families. Of course, if you're looking for more of a workout, you can also hike them in the opposite direction. 💪🥾
The views factor
The two main routes offer quite different scenery. The Peak Adventure takes you through open mountain landscapes, alpine meadows and some beautiful viewpoints overlooking the surrounding peaks.
The Forest Adventure has a completely different feel. It follows a mix of forest and meadow paths and feels magical, with Bartli's story stations tucked away among the trees. It also offers plenty of shade on warm summer days.
If you have the time (and energy), we would recommend combining both. The contrast between the open mountain sections and the enchanted forest trails makes the experience more varied and lets you see different sides of Braunwald. 🏔️🌲✨
The food factor
You'll find several good lunch options along the trail, depending on what kind of stop you're looking for. Restaurant Gumen is our pick if you want to combine your meal with spectacular mountain views. Located at 1,901 m right next to the Gumen cable car station, it offers table service and a large sun terrace overlooking the Glarus Alps.
If you're planning to visit the rope park or playground, Restaurant Grotzenbüel (Chämistube) is the most convenient option. This family-friendly self-service restaurant has a large sun terrace and sits right in the middle of the action, next to the rope park, playground and gondola station.
For a relaxed sit-down meal at the end of your adventure, Restaurant Cristal near the lower Grotzenbüel gondola station is a great choice. It offers table service, a sunny terrace with beautiful views, a playground right next to the restaurant and an indoor playroom.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop for a picnic along the way. You'll find barbecue spots at Zwergenschloss, Zwergenhöhle, Rindenhüttli, Zwergenturm, the Water Playground (Zwergenbad) and next to the Music Chest near the Braunwald funicular station. We love having this option when hiking with kids – it breaks up the adventure and gives everyone something extra to look forward to. 🔥🌭🥾
The value factor
Value factor: Varies by route
Full, Forest & Stroller Friendly Adventure:
Braunwald funicular (return), Gumen or Grotzenbüel (single):
Adults (16+): CHF 24.00
GA/Halbtax: CHF 19.00
Kids (6-15): 12.00
Peak Adventure:
Braunwald funicular (return), Gumen (single) and Grotzenbüel (single):
Adults (16+): CHF 42.00
GA/Halbtax: CHF 35.00
Kids (6-15): 22.00
No Gondola Adventure:
Braunwald funicular (return)
Adults (16+): CHF 15.20
GA/Halbtax: CHF 7.60
Kids (6-15): 7.60
📌 More ticket options available
Prices indicative, check official website
Top Family Hike in Switzerland!
This hike is featured on our Adventure Map: Top themed hikes for families — part of our curated collection of the best family hikes in Switzerland.
More info: Official Website | Webcams
Comments