The glass town of Zwiesel invites you on a varied excursion.

You can reach Zwiesel from the Hotel Bergknappenhof via Langdorf in about 20 minutes. The saying, "Fine glass and good wood are Zwiesel's pride," reflects the two main raw materials that have made Zwiesel famous. This town in the Bavarian Forest offers unspoiled nature with a wide variety of hiking opportunities. Stroll through the Bavarian Forest Nature Park or hike up to the Großer Arber, Lusen, Rachel, or Falkenstein mountains. In the Bavarian Forest National Park, with a bit of luck, you can observe wild animals in their natural habitat. After your exertions, treat yourself to some pampering at the wellness hotel Bergknappenhof.

Culturally, Zwiesel also has much to offer. Visit the Catholic parish church of St. Nicholas, the town's former landmark. Its tower is 86 meters high, making it the tallest church in both the Bavarian Forest and the Diocese of Passau. Another tallest structure, even in the world, is the tallest crystal glass pyramid. Zwiesel Kristallglas AG commissioned this pyramid, constructed from 93665 wine glasses stacked on top of each other without glue. The figure is encased in a transparent glass shell. The glass pyramid has since become the symbol of Zwiesel. For a more mystical experience, visit the underground tunnels, which run like a labyrinth 10 to 21 meters below the town square. Regular guided tours allow you to explore these cellars and admire the exhibitions of works by renowned artists. The team at the Wellness Hotel Bergknappenhof will be happy to arrange a tour for you.

The town of Zwiesel is famous for two other delicacies: the incomparable Bärwurz liqueur and the Dampfbier (steam beer). You can sample the Bärwurz for free in the tasting room of the Hieke Bärwurz distillery, where a short film shows the production of this high-proof spirit. There you'll also find a fun Wolpertinger exhibit with talking trees (even more impressive after visiting the tasting room). The Zwiesel Steam Beer Brewery is known for its Dampfbier, brewed according to a traditional recipe. A tour of the glass-walled brewery is also worthwhile. Another sight worth seeing is Hennenkobel mountain, which boasts 56 different minerals. This makes Hennenkobel the second mineral-rich mineral in the Bavarian Forest, after Silberberg in Bodenmais.

Image credit: By Spirou et Fantasio (Discussion) 14:22, 25 Jul 2016 (CEST) - Own work. Original text: self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50350402