Hike the Glass Cutter Trail through the Upper Palatinate Forest

On this wonderful circular trail, you roam through the Upper Palatinate Forest in Bavaria, along the Czech border. You follow the Zott, Pfreimd, and Tröbesbach streams, passing through fantastically beautiful, low mountain range landscapes. On the way, you catch glimpses of times gone by, when the glass and porcelain industries were still dominant in the region. Thus, The Glass Cutter Trail (Glasschleifererweg) is more than just a stunning hiking trail, you also learn a lot about the area’s heritage. Boredom is definitely not on the itinerary here.

In total, you hike for just under 84 kilometres (52 mi) and climb just under 1,200 metres (3,400 ft) in altitude. The route is easy and suitable for children; you'll never have more than 380 metres (1,250 ft) of altitude to climb in a day. The stages are planned in such a way that you arrive in a town with numerous accommodation and refreshment stops. Nevertheless, I recommend booking in advance so that you can start your hike in a relaxed manner.

The starting point of the hike is the Gehenhammer Mill near Georgenberg, which has operated for more than 160 years. You can return to the start from the stations in Pleystein, Moosbach, Burgtreswitz, Tröbes, Eslarn and Waidhaus.

The trail is very well signposted; its symbol is a wine glass on a red background. The red colour represents the polishing dust, the so-called potée, which you can still see today in the Hagenmühle glass polishing mill. And who knows, maybe there really is a glass of wine waiting for you in one of the places you stop on the way.

On your hike, you'll wander through the magical Upper Palatinate Forest, mostly on soft forest paths and tracks. You don't need any special hiking skills, but good stamina and some experience certainly won't hurt. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a waterproof coat, snack and water with you. There are many wonderful places to take a break along the way.

Depending on the weather, you can walk the trail from March to November. Experienced hikers can also combine the stages. If you’re looking for pure enjoyment, take your time and explore the trail at your leisure. You can reach Georgenberg from Nuremberg in just under two hours by regional train and bus. You can also book luggage transport. For more information, contact the tourist office in Pleystein ( pleystein.de ). What're you waiting for? Let's go to the Upper Palatinate Forest!