Glassmakers' Path

We follow the pink “Glaskelch” trail markers and the yellow diamond. The starting point is the “Gabrielenweiher” signpost on the Flößerpfad trail near the entrance to the Vogtsmichelhof.

We now follow the ascending paved path to the left and pass the former Gabrielenhof, which once served an administrative function. All that remains of the stately farm is the farm’s linden tree and the large vaulted cellar. The trail continues uphill to the edge of the forest, where a beautiful view back toward the farms of Ehlenbogen awaits. Our trail now continues steadily uphill past tall fir trees, massive sandstone boulders, and moss-covered forest floor. Along the way, we come to the site where the Buchbachhütte once stood (its foundation is still visible); there is now a small biotope where dragonflies and other creatures can be observed. We continue to follow our “Glaskelch” trail marker. Now it’s time to persevere until we reach the highest point of our route, the Judenwaldhütte (750 m above sea level), where you can take a break under a massive fir tree. As early as 1477, the “Schemberger Weg”—an ancient monastic trail connecting the monasteries of Alpirsbach, Klosterreichenbach, and Hirsau—ran along the ridge very close to this spot. Traces of a previously unknown glassworks were discovered here in 1990. On the slope below the Judenwaldhütte lie charcoal remnants mixed with glass shards. Apparently, a charcoal burner built his kiln directly on top of the rubble from a former glassworks. So far, furnace materials and glass shards have been recovered.

We now come upon the well-known Ostweg (black/red diamond), which, alongside the Westweg, is the Schwarzwaldverein’s most important long-distance hiking trail and runs from Pforzheim to Schaffhausen. We follow the Ostweg over the Heilenberg ridge toward Alpirsbach on a wide road. At a trail junction, we need to pay attention: here, the Ostweg leaves the wide road, and our path also turns onto a narrow trail heading toward the Heilenberghütte. Once we arrive at the Heilenberg Hut, we leave the Ostweg again and follow the yellow diamond—or the “Glaskelch”—signs downhill.

Along the way, we come across the “Metzgersträßle” signpost and continue along the upper Moosweg to the Karlsquelle. There, we enter the beautiful Glaswiesen Nature Reserve with the Karlsquelle rest area. From there, the trail leads slightly downhill, past the spring head on a road toward our destination, “Lindenbrunnen / Alpirsbach Monastery.” Along the way, the Alpirsbächle stream, with its crystal-clear water, accompanies us the entire time.

The historic center of this monastery town invites us to explore the Romanesque monastery complex, the city museum, and the brewery museum, while cafés and inns with beer gardens invite us to linger.

Our return journey begins at the Lindenbrunnen, passing the monastery through the spa gardens, always following the railroad tracks upstream through the valley while keeping to the trail markers for the Rafters’ Trail / “Glaskelch.” At the edge of Alpirsbach, near the former dye mill, we walk along the left bank of the Kinzig, staying on the Rafters’ Trail all the way back into the Ehlenbogen Valley to our starting point, “Untere Mühle” / “Vogtsmichelhof.”