The scenic highlight of Niederurnen in the Glarus Unterland is the «Täli», the Niederurner Alpental, which can be reached by aerial cableway. The development of Niederurnen was first made possible by the 19th-century correction of the Linth.

As a result of deforestation in the Glarus region, in centuries long ago the Linth swept large quantities of debris into the valley and created marshlands. People caught marsh fever and many died. On the initiative of Hans Konrad Escher, the Linthkanal was opened in 1816, freeing the inhabitants of the region from their great misery. A monument to Escher now stands in Ziegelbrücke, a town also belonging to Niederurnen.

The land recovered thanks to the Linth correction created a considerable boom. In 1830 a textile printing works was established, followed in 1903, by the Eternit AG asbestos cement factory. Thanks to its convenient location at the exit of the Glarus main valley, Niederurnen developed into an industrial town during 19th century industrialization. Visible from afar is the elevated Niederurner Schlössli (castle), a new building with restaurant dating from 1914, built on the foundations of the former Oberwindegg Castle. An old mill in the village is run as a cultural centre.

The Niederurner Alpental, known by local people as «Täli», stretches from Alp Morgenholz, the end station of the aerial gondola from Niederurnen, then an approximate two-hour hike through meadows, Alpine pastures and woodlands to the watershed at Feldrederligrat and Melchterli. From here views sweep to Etzel and Zürichsee, the Black Forest and Jura. Planggenstock and Hirzli are popular vantage points for hikers. A circular Sculpture Trail (animals and figures from legend) starts at Täli from the aerial cableway station, with barbecue spots and playground. Also popular with bikers. Thanks to its shady location, Täli is snow-safe in winter and a worthwhile destination for ski tours.

Highlights

• Niederurner Alpental – 6.5-km-long east-west valley above Niederurnen (aerial cableway), popular nature and hiking area.
• Gateway to the Glarus region - Niederurnen and the Ziegelbrücke intersection railway station form the departure point for trips into the Glarus region.
• Cycling and inline skating tours right through the Linth plain between the Zurichsee and Walensee lakes.
• Abbey church in neighbouring Schänis – the church of the former convent in splendid rococo style.
• Geoweg – history of the earth along 24 kilometres from nearby Schänis via Weesen to Amden.