Glattalp, Mountain pasture in Schwyz District, Switzerland.
Glattalp is a mountain pasture in the canton of Schwyz, sitting at around 1,850 feet (1,850 m) above sea level in the Muotathal area. The Glattalpsee, a reservoir, lies at the center of the area, surrounded by open grassland and rocky peaks.
The area has been used as summer grazing land for centuries, with herders from the Muotathal coming up each year with their animals. The Glattalpsee was created in the 20th century as a reservoir for hydroelectric power, permanently changing the look of the pasture.
Farmers from the Muotathal valley bring their cattle up here each summer, a practice that still shapes daily life in the region. The wooden huts scattered across the pasture are used to process milk and make cheese during the grazing season.
The easiest way to get here is by the cable car from Sahli station in Muotathal, from where the pasture is a short walk away. The cable car runs only during the warmer months, so it is worth checking operating times before you go.
In February 1991, one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in Switzerland was measured here, drawing attention from weather researchers across the country. The bowl shape of the terrain traps cold air and makes the area prone to extreme frost, even by alpine standards.
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