R1.15 Three Saddles circuit

Description:
Get a real sensation of the inspiration provided by the secluded sea of wooded hills to the north of Strudengau gorge: everlasting mountain woodlands, an agricultural cultural landscape, including oases, high hills, deep troughs, fantastic views … Three saddles to traverse give your ego a boost. In the middle, the historic market town gem, Waldhausen, tempts you to enjoy a breather. A cycle tour filled with mountains for the connoisseur!

  

Highlights:

• Three saddles in one swoop: Moarhofer Ebene (70 metres altitude), Sattl (190 metres altitude), Dörfl (120 metres altitude)


• Views down into Strudengau gorge


• Waldhausen parish church (ecclesiastical granite art)


• Waldhausen bathing lake


• Waldhausen abbey (splendid monastery church, monastery mummies, celebration garden)

Directions:
Strudengau's hilly area - a secluded sea of hilly woodlands on the high plateau to the north of the legendary Strudengau-Danube gorge. The rhythm of the elevated hilltops and deep troughs exudes harmony; the endless areas of mixed woodland, provide seclusion. Starting point is the Aumühle in the secluded forest valley of Gießenbach. You warm up with a short downhill ride on the valley floor. Then the first – the shortest – climb begins. Through shaded mountain woodland you pedal on a goods road, way up to the rural Moarhofer lowlands, to the summit (470 m) of the first saddle. Congratulations! The speedy downhill into the neighbouring valley awakens an unexpected feeling of being on an Alpine pass, with fantastic areas of mixed woodland and a rocky ambience. On reaching hidden Dimbachtal, the second – the longest – mountains classification begins. Proceed uphill on a goods road through a concealed wooded trough, until  the landscape opens up. Lush pastures now dominate the elevated position of the farming town of Sattl. The highest point (520m) is the Kapellenbildstock with an impressive view down into Strudengau gorge. Congratulations, you have completed the second saddle! The views down into the Danube provide a sense of the lofty elevation. And a bit of humility. Indeed, Strudengau was at one time feared by seafarers on account of its dangerous whirlpools. The descent inspires, providing the style of a a breezy, altitude road , then you become immersed in a traditional forest trough of the Sarmingbach. At the base of the valley, the ascent to what is the cultural high point of the circuit begins - Waldhausen! Initially along the main road, where there is not traffic, the route is somewhat steeper, then proceed via forest goods roads, natural forest/field paths and finally on lovely farm roads through traditional Mühlviertel farmland. At Gehöft Hofbauer, you are suddenly at the foot of the Waldhausener Basin, in all its splendour. Surrounded by forested hilltops, with an impressive abbey church in the centre, is the village ... a symbol of the reclamation of this isolated region. The historic market town gem of Waldhausen invites you to enjoy some pleasure-filled recovery: the lovely market square, artistic granite work, the parish church with granite art in consummate perfection, the refreshing waters of the bathing lake, the extraordinary monastery facility ...! Upon returning from the monastery loop, a rural side road proceeds via a low hilltop ridge back into Dimbachtal and its abundant woodland areas. It is there that the third ascent begins – to the highest point of the circuit! A goods road proceeds rapidly up to Dörfl. Traditional forested sections make you pause to reflect, while the agricultural, cultural landscape provides fantastic views and an altitude experience. The highest point (540 m) is Hauskapelle, just a few metres up from Gehöft Brandstätter. Congratulations, you are on the 3rd saddle and the highest point of the tour! By way of a reward, there follows a 2 km pleasure-filled panoramic descent – with short counter-climbs – down to Moarhofer Ebene. You already know the short return section to Aumühle. Have fun riding in the rhythm of Strudengau's summits!

Safety guidelines:
The main section of this dreamy summit cycle tour proceeds via goods roads and agricultural side roads with good asphalt coverage. Three short sections proceed via main roads that do not have much traffic. A section of around 350m on a natural forest/field path provides you with your very own mountain biking experience. Basic gear technique is necessary for the long climb. Basic braking technique is necessary for the twisty descents.

 

Signage:

To make orientation easier, the Danube Cycle Path has been signposted with its own cycle guidance. This circuit follows the"R1.15 Drei Sattel-Runde" signposts.