[2] Braunwald is situated in the Glarus Alps on a terrace above the Linth valley, at an elevation of 1,256 meters (4,121 ft).

Of the rest of the land, 3.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (24.6%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains).

The funicular links Braunwald with Linthal Braunwaldbahn station, where over 750 parking spaces are available.

The station provides a convenient interchange with the main line railway, and is served by the hourly Zürich S-Bahn service S25 from Zurich.

Gondola lifts and chair lifts link the village to Grotzenbüel, Kleiner Gumen, Seblengrat and Bächital, principally for winter sport activities but in some cases operating in summer as well.

The wettest month is August during which time Braunwald receives an average of 206 mm (8.1 in) of precipitation.

The driest month of the year is October with an average of 120 mm (4.7 in) of precipitation over 15.4 days.