Grande Granite Loop: Stage 1
4040 Linz
"Summit assault on the (core) mountains of the granite (high)land"
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
From the deep Danube gorge, bike to the panoramic-view village Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 m), at the southern summit of the (core) mountains! After a dreamlike descent with views of the Alps, the route follows the rural hilly landscape on the western flank of the ridge. The second summit assault leads you to the mixed forest summit of Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (core) mountains! A varied fun descent and hilly ride take you to the northern end of the ridge. Afterwards, you cycle through gently rolling highlands with a harmonious forest-field mosaic to the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!
Highlights:
- Europe's protected area Upper Danube Valley (Rare slope gorge forests)
- Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (highest village of the region, panoramic viewpoint)
- Ameisberg (highest mountain of the region, observation tower)
- Altenhof Castle (architectural jewel)
- Accommodation: In a secluded Mühlviertel guesthouse
From the deep Danube gorge, bike to the panoramic-view village Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 m), at the southern summit of the (core) mountains! After a dreamlike descent with views of the Alps, the route follows the rural hilly landscape on the western flank of the ridge. The second summit assault leads you to the mixed forest summit of Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (core) mountains! A varied fun descent and hilly ride take you to the northern end of the ridge. Afterwards, you cycle through gently rolling highlands with a harmonious forest-field mosaic to the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!
The Upper Danube Valley – With over 90 km (!) one of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube. Located in the deep gorge of the Upper Danube Valley – at the Ranna estuary into the Danube – the remote Rannamühl is the starting point for this challenging summit assault stage. First, you warm up cycling downstream along the broad Danube river on quiet side roads. Around 1.7 km after Niederranna, the 550-meter ascent to the summit begins! The first third winds through shady mixed forest in switchbacks along the steep flank of the Danube Gorge. At the legendary Marsbach Castle, once a feared robber baron’s nest, the route climbs even steeper briefly. Then the landscape opens up – an initial sense of elevation provides a welcome feeling of success. Now lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farm hamlets, small woods, ... pure Mühlviertel rural idyll! Over gentler farm tracks, it goes to a small hill with the mystical installation "Labyrinth of Transformation." The magic of the place naturally invites reflection on the transformation that multi-day bike tours here evoke. Cycling as philosophical inspiration! In the rhythm of the hills, you cycle uphill to the ridge in Emmerstorf. Here, a first view opens on the village of Hofkirchen in the center of a rolling high plateau. After a loop with regenerating descent and enjoyable trail mid-ascent, you stand at the edge of the historic market. Slightly above the village, the installation "Labyrinth of Encounter" recalls historical salt exchange and surprises with an amazing Alpine view! Along a panorama-rich field path, partly steep, you go to the next terrain level. The final climb goes through wonderful mixed mountain forest – initially on trail-like forest paths, finally on a quiet country road – to the panoramic-view village Pfarrkirchen. It is the highest village of the granite (high)land. At the forest edge above the village center, a magnificent panoramic viewpoint (840 m) awaits. Congratulations, you are standing on the southern summit of the (core) mountains! Gorgeous views down bring the sense of height and breathtaking Alpine views unlimited vastness. Then follows a 6 km dream descent full of bliss: historic forest trails with trail character, breathtaking Alpine views while asphalt surfing, flowy forest path fun, ... down to the scenic Altenhof Castle. The inhabited private castle on a terraced hill is an architectural jewel overall: avenue, garden complex, buildings, ...! Once it belonged to the lordship of the Falkensteiners, a powerful noble family largely involved in the development of the original Mühlviertel forests. The route now follows the rural hilly landscape on the western flank of the (core) mountains. After a short fun descent on a meadow path, you overcome a lively Mühlviertel-rural idyll hidden ravine with a substantial climb (160 meters elevation) to Schlag. In the rhythm of the hills, you rush down at speed with short counter ascents to the Aumühle. There begins the second summit assault (410 meters elevation)! Over natural field and meadow paths or lonely farm roads, you cycle past scattered farm hamlets up a ridge. With increasing height, panorama and sweat pores open up. The plateau of Amesedt allows welcome regeneration, then you dive into the summit forest. Short steep sections require riding skill. After a relaxed country road section, you climb through fantastic mixed forest with tricky places the last few elevation meters. At the foot of the forest-surrounded observation tower, you stand at the highest point (941 m) of the (core) mountains as well as the granite (high)land. Congratulations! The castle-like observation tower was built in 1903 for tourism reasons by the way. Today, the tower is irregularly accessible. A varied 3.5 km long descent brings a happy smile: short trail fun in the summit forest, then opens up a delightful scenic cinema at its finest. Mollmannsreith is the lowest point reached. A hilly crossing with 140 meters elevation gain and a fast 2 km descent leads you through lonely conifer forests and hidden farm settlements to Kollerschlag. For the attentive: The name part "-schlag" means "clearing" and recalls the time of development of the Mühlviertel primeval forests: Here at the northern end of the (core) mountains starts a last high excursion into the (core) mountains, a mountain loop with 150 meters elevation gain through shady mountain forests dotted with rural oases. From the farmstead Geretschlag, a gently rolling highland with a harmonious forest-field mosaic pleases to the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!
Paths covering:
further information:
- Multi-day tour
- Board possible
Public Transit
How to get to the Danube region of Upper Austria?
The quickest way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship, or plane.
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
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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1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
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Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.
The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.
The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.
The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.
3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
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.
5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on www.muehlviertel.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.muehlviertel.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on www.muehlviertel.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.muehlviertel.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on www.muehlviertel.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to www.muehlviertel.at.
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4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from www.muehlviertel.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.muehlviertel.at. The websites that can be accessed from www.muehlviertel.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.muehlviertel.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from www.muehlviertel.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to www.muehlviertel.at.
Altitude profile - Grande Granite Loop: Stage 1
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