Rabenstein: Discover Nature and Glassmaking History

In Rabenstein, nature meets traces of glassmaking history. The Kiesau raised bog, various trails, chapels and the Stormberger Museum each have their own focus. You can tailor your trip to your particular interests, whether they are landscapes, historic glassworks, or art and local traditions.

Nature and trails around Kiesau

The Kaisersteig cross-country ski trail car park in Rabenstein is the starting point for the quartz quarry on Hennenkobel and the Kiesau raised bog. Kiesau lies between Rabenstein and Bodenmais. This high-altitude transition bog includes woodland along its edges; its landscape also features a historic quartz quarry with tunnels. In 1993, an area of ten hectares was designated a nature reserve.

Along the Rabensteig, the Mühlbach stream and the ecological pond are features of the water theme. The trail starts at the Kaisersteig car park in Rabenstein. The Gläserner Steig offers another route: from the old quartz quarry near Kiesau, it descends to Rabenstein along an easy forest road. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

The Gläserner Kreuzweg leads from the Kaisersteig car park in Rabenstein through quiet mountain forest to Hennenkobel, at an altitude of 950 metres. At 14 stations, the Passion of Jesus is artistically depicted on special glass using sandblasting engraving. This gives the trail a thematic focus that differs from the landscape and glassworks themes of other routes.

Glassmaking history and chapels

The Glashüttensteig leads from Rabenstein Castle to several former glassworks sites. At five historic locations, illustrated panels bring local glassmaking history to life. One early date is 1421, when the first glassworks near Rabenstein was mentioned in a document.

The chapels also offer tangible insights into history. St. George’s Castle Chapel was built in 1816 by Kajetan Wolfgang von Kiesling, the owner of the Rabenstein glassworks at the time. It is the oldest village chapel in the Zwiesel cadastral area. Above the chapel, an information garden with the Stormberger Fountain offers a place to rest.

The Church of St. John of Nepomuk has colourful stained-glass windows by Bernhard Schagemann. Another trace of history can be found in the forest chapel, where a bell from the former glassworks turret at the Theresienthal glassworks hangs. The first forest chapel on Ochsenbergweg in Rabenstein was built in 1933 by Rabenstein woodcutter Wolfgang Frisch. These places offer different perspectives on sacred art, architectural history and glassmaking.

Museum and practical planning

The Stormberger Museum is located in Rabenstein’s community centre. It displays original documents, historic manuscripts and graphics relating to Stormberger’s traditional prophecies. You can book guided tours of the museum through the Waldmuseum Zwiesel: Monday to Friday, by telephone only, and at least three days in advance.

For travel by public transport, the Rabenstein line serves Klautzenbach and Rabenstein. On weekdays, it runs approximately every two hours during peak shopping hours; check the current timetable before travelling. In winter, Rabenstein offers a groomed network of cross-country ski trails, including the Kaisersteigloipe. Operating conditions may vary. The trails and locations cover themes ranging from winter cross-country skiing and bog landscapes to glassmaking history, helping you choose the focus of your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Zwiesel.