Discover Hohenau: Reverse Glass Painting and Hiking

In Hohenau, cultural discoveries meet two circular hiking routes of different lengths. The Hinterglaseum in Schönbrunn am Lusen displays reverse glass paintings; the Hohenau–Schönbrunn am Lusen cultural heritage trail offers two circular loops of varying lengths. This lets you tailor your stay to different interests: art and courses, or a hike whose distance and scenery suit your plans for the day.

Reverse glass paintings and courses in Schönbrunn am Lusen

The paintings in the Hinterglaseum were made about 200 years ago by the Raimundsreut panel painters. The works and the painters known by name give reverse glass painting a tangible connection to Schönbrunn am Lusen. The focus is therefore not only on an art form, but also on paintings from a specific period and their creators.

The Hinterglaseum also offers workshops and courses in its educational room. A visit can therefore take different forms: you can view the reverse glass paintings or explore the courses and workshops on offer.

Two hiking routes, different day-trip options

The Hohenau–Schönbrunn am Lusen cultural heritage trail consists of two circular loops of different lengths, mostly on well-maintained paths. The Hohenau loop is about 8.5 kilometres long. It passes through Hohenau’s hedgerow landscape and by moorland. At about 24 kilometres, the Schönbrunn loop is a full-day hike through meadows and stream valleys in the northeastern part of the municipality. Along the way, it crosses forests on the edge of Bavarian Forest National Park.

Comparing the two helps with planning your day: the Hohenau loop is the shorter option; the Schönbrunn loop is specifically described as a full-day hike and takes you through a wider variety of landscapes. The routes therefore offer different highlights, from hedgerows and moorland to meadows, stream valleys and forests. Hiking, horse riding, cycling and e-biking are among the activities available to visitors in the municipality. If you would rather not spend all your time on foot, you can take these other activities into account when planning your trip.

In the wider Freyung-Grafenau destination

The wider Freyung-Grafenau destination also offers nature and cultural attractions of its own. Bavarian Forest National Park extends into Freyung-Grafenau district and opened on 7 October 1970 as Germany’s first national park. The zoning map dated 2024 shows 75.37 percent of the area as natural zones. Freyung-Grafenau lies in the tri-border region of Bavaria, Bohemia and Austria.

The Buchberger Leite wild-stream gorge is a distinctive landscape. There, steep rock ridges force the boulder-strewn, cascading Wolfsteiner Ohe into a deeply confined bed. Remnants of primeval forest have survived in the gorge’s moss- and fern-rich woodlands. An eight-kilometre themed hiking trail with information panels and an accompanying brochure runs through the Buchberger Leite between Freyung and Ringelai. Historic log-driving walls, tunnels cut into the rock and above-ground channels bear witness to centuries of human activity. Natural features and traces of human activity together shape the character of this gorge.

In Freyung stands the Schramlhaus, built around 1700. It is now the oldest traditional rural homestead in Freyung and, in terms of its original character, one of the oldest in Freyung-Grafenau district. The house contains the Wolfstein Local History Museum and more than a hundred original examples of reverse glass painting, classified as sacred folk art. Reverse glass painting is therefore also a distinct cultural highlight in the wider destination.

Near Neuschönau, the Treetop Walk is part of the Lusen National Park Centre. The wildlife enclosure gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the national park and its native wildlife. The wildlife enclosure’s circular trails are suitable for young children who are not yet able to walk long distances.

At the Gabreta Archaeological Adventure Park, you can see buildings reconstructed based on original Celtic structures and symbolically representing Celtic finds discovered on Paul Freund’s hill. Bread baking is one of the hands-on activities for visitors; the visitor programme may change, so it is advisable to check the latest programme details before your visit. Expert-guided tours about Celtic life can also be booked.

Use the experiences that matter to your trip to guide your search.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Schönberg, Jandelsbrunn, Thurmansbang, Haidmühle, Sankt Oswald-Riedlhütte, Spiegelau, Röhrnbach, Philippsreut.

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