Granite Beer Round: Stage 1
„Flank surfing in the Danube Valley & summit assault to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen“
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Multi-stage route
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Cultural/historical value
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
- Faunistic highlights
In the deep Danube gorge, unique flank surfing begins through magnificent hillside gorge forests - 3x high plateau and return. Impressive intermediate destination: the 360° panoramic observation tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (613 m) in Kirchberg ob der Donau. Afterwards, an excursion over the rural granite highland delights with a steep climb and a 7.5 km dream downhill ride over the heart of the natural wonder Schlögen Danube Bend. After relaxed Danube cycling, you bike to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (840 m), on the southern summit of the rump mountain range! Final delicacy: a flowing pleasure descent to Oberkappel. A magnificent start!
Highlights:
- Danube harbor town Untermühl (end point of the Schwarzenberg floating canal)
- Observation tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (360° panoramic view, Burgstall)
- Obermühl on the Danube (sunken Danube town, historic salt road)
- Natural wonder Schlögen Danube Bend & European protected area Upper Danube Valley
- Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (highest village in the region, panoramic viewing spot)
The Upper Danube Valley – with over 90 km (!) one of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube. In this deep gorge lies the starting point – the harbor town Untermühl. Today unremarkable, it was once significant: supply point for Danube shipping, end of the Schwarzenberg floating canal, ...! To warm up, you cycle gently into the romantic Große Mühl valley to the hidden Partenstein pumped storage power station. Here begins unique flank surfing through wonderful hillside gorge forests! The first climb (180 meters elevation) leads over a steep maintenance road along the power plant's pressure pipes onto the high plateau to the farming settlement Ramersberg. Congratulations! You speed down a steep forest path back into the depths of the Große Mühl valley – to Ebenmühle. The second climb (280 meters elevation) leads over a partly steep historic carriage road to the opposite high plateau. Up top, you cycle majestically through rolling farmland to Kirchberg ob der Donau to the imposing observation tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (613 m). Congratulations – halfway through the flank surfing! Magnificent 360° panoramic views over the Mühlviertel, the Danube valley, the Sauwald, ... up to the Alps. By the way, here you are standing on the highest elevation rising directly out of the Danube stream. Flowingly, the bike runs a short distance to the edge of the Danube gorge, then the demanding steep descent through the Danube valley flank on partly trail-like forest paths demands full concentration. For welcome regeneration, there is relaxed river cruising along the Danube to Obermühl on the Danube. Attentive bikers will notice the contrast between the historic grain store at the beginning of town and the contemporary architecture of the rest of the village. The reason: the historic town center sank in the floods of the Danube reservoir for the Aschach power station. At the modern „Gold“ church starts the third climb (260 meters elevation). An abandoned stone road leads briskly through the steep Kleine Mühl valley flank – the old salt road. Once, the salt of the legendary Salzkammergut was transported by ship to Obermühl and muleteers brought it to Bohemia. For cycling philosophers: „Today our jerseys are soaked with salt“ ;-) At the high plateau, the turning point is reached at the farming settlement Untered. Congratulations! A short regenerative cultural ride and then on demanding carriage roads the steep valley flank back into the depths of the Kleine Mühl valley – to the Bruckwirt.
A steep mixed forest climb (170 meters elevation) leads – partly with trail flair – to Lembach in the Mühlkreis (552 m). There begins a wonderful introductory round over the granite highland: majestic sea of hills, beautiful distant views, mosaic of meadows, fields and small forests, scattered farming settlements, ... harmony perfected! You cycle enjoyably over a panoramic hill, then approach the edge of the rump mountain range. At the farming settlement Starnberg (690 m) you stand at the highest point of this crossing! Congratulations! The 7.5 km long descent into the Danube valley is a dream: short forest sections, small rural plateaus, asphalt swooping, ... up to the roof of the famous natural wonder Schlögen Danube Bend! The deeply carved mythical Danube changes its direction here within a few kilometers twice by 180°. The last descent section – through the nature-protected hillside gorge forest of the steep Danube valley flank – delights with trail character.
Relaxed river cruising along the mighty Danube stream leaves room for reflection: about the fascination of „granite biking“, gratitude, happiness, ... After about 2 km begins the 550-meter elevation summit assault to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis! The first third leads in shaded mixed forest in serpentine bends through the steep flank of the Danube gorge. At the legendary Marsbach castle, once a feared robber knight nest, the route briefly climbs even steeper. Then the landscape opens – a first height feeling brings a welcome feeling of success. Now lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farming settlements, small woods, ... – pure Mühlviertel rural idyll! On leisurely country roads you pass the mystical installation „Labyrinth of Transformation“ and in a wide arc past the edge of the historic market Hofkirchen in the Mühlkreis. Slightly above the village, the installation „Labyrinth of Encounter“ surprises with a fantastic Alpine view! Over a panoramic field path it goes partly steeply to the next terrain balcony. The last ascent leads through wonderful mixed mountain forest – initially on trail-like forest paths, finally on a quiet country road – to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis. It is the highest village of the granite highland. At the forest edge above the village center, a grand panoramic viewpoint (840 m) delights. Congratulations, you stand on the southern summit of the rump mountain range! Magnificent deep views convey altitude and breathtaking Alpine views infinite expanse. Final delicacy: 8.4 km of pure downhill fun! The first part in the rush of speed through natural mountain forest with hidden distant views. The second part offers enjoyable landscape cinema with four small counter climbs to Oberkappel, today's stage destination.
Paths covering:
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Public Transit
How to get to the Danube region of Upper Austria?
The fast way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship, or airplane.
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- Autumn
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4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
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Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
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Altitude profile - Granite Beer Round: Stage 1
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