Neunagelberg can be explored through several themes: hiking trails through the villages of the market municipality of Brand-Nagelberg, striking rock formations and a history stretching from early traces of settlement to the glass industry. The season is a good starting point when planning your visit. During the warmer months, the pond in Neu-Nagelberg offers opportunities to cool off after hikes and on hot days; in winter, cross-country skiing is one way to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Hiking Trails and Natural Monuments
Neunagelberg is one of the five villages in the market municipality of Brand-Nagelberg, which are connected by numerous marked hiking trails. The municipality also has a permanent Ă–VV annual hiking trail that is about 10 kilometres long. The trail connections provide a framework linking the villages, while the annual hiking trail offers a dedicated route of an approximate stated length.
Two designated natural monuments also shape the landscape. The Hinterpocher rock formation lies along the hiking route in the market municipality of Brand-Nagelberg. The Pumperskirchen rock group is located 1 kilometre southeast of Neu-Nagelberg; the “Kanzel” cave lies within it.
The Hans-Czettel youth hostel is surrounded by a pond, forest, meadow and moor.
Local History: From Settlement to the Glass Industry
The earliest traces of human settlement in Neu-Nagelberg were found in the Kaiblloch, also known as Kaiblstein. Another local landmark is the large erratic boulder Judenstein near Neu-Nagelberg: it got its name from the place where murders were committed, known locally as the “Judenschlag”.
The former “Neuhütte” glass factory was built in Neu-Nagelberg by Anton Weigl between 1811 and 1816; Carl Stölzle bought it in 1858. The Brauer ensemble in Neu-Nagelberg is also part of the area’s industrial history. Although operations ceased in 1951, it is still largely intact. A former schoolhouse in Neu-Nagelberg was converted into a youth hostel in 1982. The factory’s history at Neuhütte ended in a fire: on the night of 9 May 1933, the entire glassworks was destroyed. By contrast, the Brauer ensemble remained largely intact despite closing in 1951; here, the end of operations did not mean the loss of the ensemble.
The Kurt Zalto forest glassworks is located at Neu-Nagelberg 58, 3871 Neu-Nagelberg. It was closed on 4 September 2026. Check its current visitor status before travelling.
Getting There by Train and Bus
Neu Nagelberg station is on the northern branch of the Waldviertel narrow-gauge railway. As the railway operates seasonally, check before travelling whether it runs on your travel dates. There is a bus stop right by the station, with connecting buses to Litschau and GmĂĽnd. Check the bus services before your journey too, to make sure your plans fit the connections offered.
Discover more destinations: Moorbad Harbach, Sankt Wolfgang, Ullrichs, Waldenstein, Heidenreichstein, Litschau, Lauterbach, Eggern.
Back to the main travel overview: GmĂĽnd.
