Piesau: Hiking, Glassmaking Tradition and Festivals

Piesau offers several starting points for planning a trip: its glassmaking tradition, local customs and trails through the Thuringian Slate Mountains. When looking for a hotel in Piesau, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay. Cultural events take place throughout the year, while hiking and running are activities for both summer and winter.

Glassmaking history and local traditions

The history of glassmaking in Piesau dates back to 1622, when glass was first melted there. The modern glassworks in the town still produces flacons for the international cosmetics and spirits industries. The historical beginnings and present-day production represent different periods in the glassmaking tradition, making glass a distinctive theme in the town’s history.

Local customs add their own highlights throughout the year. Every year on Walpurgis Night, the Piesner mountain witches climb Mittelberg and perform a witches’ dance around an open fire. The Piesau Kirmes takes place every year in August; its dates and program may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates when making your plans.

The herb witches offer a fairy-tale treasure hunt for the “Green Gold.” If you plan to include it as a set activity, check in advance when it is available. The Teufelskanzel near Piesau is also associated with a mysterious legend. This story adds a distinct connection to the landscape alongside the festival dates.

Hiking trails, landscape and seasonal activities

Well-marked hiking trails in and around Piesau lead through the natural landscape of the Thuringian Slate Mountains. The area offers opportunities for hiking and running in both summer and winter. One trail through the Arnsbach Valley passes through gorges and alongside mountain streams. Both year-round activities and distinctive landscape experiences are things you can take into account when planning your trip.

In the immediate vicinity of the destination, ski hiking trails, cross-country ski trails and toboggan runs on the Rennsteig offer opportunities for winter sports. These options on the Rennsteig complement the hiking and running trails in and around Piesau with activities of their own for winter.

In summer, the “Saale-Rennsteig” athletics club, based in Piesau, organizes the “Saale-Rennsteig Marathon Run.” The route is known beyond the region for its elevation gain and picturesque, wild-romantic course. If you are planning your trip around the race, check the information for the relevant edition in advance.

Facilities for visitors

The large playground, children’s recreation center and youth club in Piesau are also open to visitors. Along with trails and events, these facilities are another point of reference when planning a stay in the town.

Cultural and hiking destinations in the wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg

In the wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg, the adventure museum in the town center presents the glassmaking and local history of this Rennsteig town. The Neuhaus am Rennweg Adventure Museum also invites visitors to immerse themselves in the lives of the “Wäldler” and to listen, linger and take part in hands-on experiences.

The Gothic wooden church in the town center of Neuhaus am Rennweg was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few entirely wooden churches in Germany. Its windows feature geometric and ornamental stained glass; the colors are arranged according to the ripening of grapes. Neuhaus am Rennweg therefore offers its own architectural theme alongside its glassmaking history.

The Rennsteig high-altitude hiking trail runs right through the town of Neuhaus am Rennweg. The Rennsteig Arch Trail begins and ends at the Igelshieb sports ground, close to the Rennsteighaus. These route details refer to Neuhaus am Rennweg and complement the information on hiking trails in and around Piesau.

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