R1.08 Danube Granite Circuit
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Tour-Details
Paths covering:
“With Danube waves, granite and hops”
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Loop
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
A mountain-packed cycle circuit from the Upper Danube Valley up to Kirchberg ob der Donau, to the 360° panorama viewing tower 'Donau am Berg' (613 m). Followed by pleasure-filled cycling across Mühlviertel's hilly granite uplands: sublime panoramic views, a rural cultural landscape, hidden granite quarries ... cultural highlights: Neuhauser Granite (art), beer.
Highlights:
- Kettenturm (the only preserved toll point along the Danube, viewing platform)
- 'Donau am Berg' viewing tower (360° panoramic views, Burgstall)
- Granite experience world (learn about inspiring granite)
- Neuhaus Castle / St. Martin
Upper Danube Valley – spanning over 90 km (!) is one of the longest breakthrough valleys in the Danube. The starting point for this attractive highland granite tour is a very tranquil section of this deep narrow valley – in the harbour town of Untermühl. Unremarkable today, at one time it was significant. A supply town for the Danube boats, Kettenturm (= toll station), lading port for the famous Neuhauser Granite ...! After crossing the Große Mühl mouth of the river, the 300 metre ascent to the plateau of Mühlviertel's granite highland area begins. In the natural mixed woodland area on the steep valley flanks, the route proceeds in serpentines high up on a tranquil municipal road. The rural cultural landscape makes the ascent more propitious. Once you reach the well-kept mountain village of Kirchberg ob der Donau you've done it. Congratulations! The surprising highlight: the fantastic 360° panoramic views from the 'Donau am Berg' viewing tower (613 m) – across the Mühlviertel, the Danube Valley, Sauwald, ... all the way to the Alps! Incidentally, you are standing on the highest elevation point here, rising straight out of the Danube. Pleasurable cycling now begins, taking in the rhythm of the undulating Mühlviertel granite highland area: pastures, fields, fruit gardens, farm hamlets, small forested areas ... a pure rural idyll! On the way to Altenfelden, the plateau offers unrestricted views and seclusion. You ride via agricultural roads and a short forest/field section down to the secluded Hötzendorfer farmstead. There follows an agricultural district road uphill from Unteredt, in an area of shaded mixed woodland, until you come to the market town of Altenfelden – situated on a gentle ridge. Congratulations, you are on the second highest point of the circuit! The historic market town was once a church village (= church in the centre), which is why it does not feature a classic market square. At the edge of the town you become aware of the elevated location – fantastic panoramic views deep into the hinterland of the plains enable you to get a sense of the expanse! After a brief detour to the settlement area of Neufelden, you ride on the cycle path next to bustling Rohrbacher Straße across the long Mühltal bridge. From Apfelsbach proceed through cultivated arable land via a gentle ridge to the agricultural one-street village of Kleinzell. As you continue your ride, concealed at the edge of the town is Resilacke – a disused granite quarry which is used today as an idyllic natural pool. A tip for those in the know! In this area you also get to explore a few of Mühlviertel's well-known hop gardens. The short descent into the hidden wooded valley in Diesenbach is challenging on the counter slope and also on the short uphill section. The granite village of Plöcking conceals another highlight: a granite experience world! This provides exciting insights into the special features of the granite region. Incidentally, it was here that renowned Neuhauser Granite was mined in the surrounding area. Through atmospheric farmland, up and down hills, with sublime views into the distance ... passing the oldest brewery in Austria, Brauerei Hofstetten, you reach St. Martin im Mühlkreis. The pretty town centre recounts a proud tradition and contemporary everyday life. However the town's special feature only reveals itself when you know about its history – it was the base for the salt route to Bohemia! Tip: In the parish church an artistic ribbed vault made from Neuhauser Granite is inspiring. A speedy descent, with two short counter ascents, takes you down to the magnificent Neuhaus Castle. Then you once again become immersed in the earthy ravine forest of the Danube Gorge and are soon at the starting point. With Danube waves, granite and hops!Tip:
Journeys of discovery with an enjoyable stopover! This tour leads directly past the following culinary partner:
Safety guidelines:
The main section of this granite highland cycle route uses tranquil, asphalt (side) roads. The few sections along busier roads have designated, wide cycle paths. Three sections – between 300 - 400 m respectively – proceed via woodland/agricultural roads. Basic command of gears is advantageous for the long climb sections. Basic braking technique is necessary for the long descent.
Signage:
To make orientation easier, the Danube Cycle Path has been signposted with its own cycle guidance system. This circuit follows the"R1.08 Donau-Granit-Runde" signposts.
further information:
- Flatly
- Board possible
Public Transit
Location and getting there
How to arrive in the Danube Upper Austrian region?
The fast way to your destination – by train, bus, car, boat or plane.
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- 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.
The data may only be used for private use; any commercial use is prohibited. In particular, it is not permissible to offer the data on commercially run websites, file-sharing platforms etc. or to use it to develop commercial products. Downloading data does not imply that users are granted rights to the data concerned.
The tour recommendations posted were created with utmost care; nevertheless, we assume no liability for the correctness and completeness of the information.
We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.
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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PLEASE OBSERVE:
1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.
We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.
By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.
2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:
• Starting point
• Detailed route description
• Distance/Overall distance
• Level of difficulty
• Dangerous spots
• Average duration of trip
• Change in altitude
• Finishing point.
If possible, please provide the change in altitude.
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Thank you for your efforts!
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.
Interactive elevation profile
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Tour-Details
Paths covering:
R1.08 Danube Granite Circuit
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