search
Search
Close

R1.06 Penzenstein route

Starting place: 4085 Neustift im Mühlkreis
Destination: 4085 Neustift im Mühlkreis

Short description:
"Close to heaven – with a vertical view into the Danube valley"
Technique: ****
Quality of experience: ******

Recommended season:
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
Properties:
  • Loop
  • Scenic
  • Refreshment stops available
  • Cultural/historical value
  • Geological highlights

Description:

Magnificent summit bike ride from the Upper Danube valley to the panoramic view village of Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (840 m), the highest point of all Danube bike rounds! Breathtaking distant views to the Alps, a enjoyable descent over the landscape balcony of Pühret, ... reward you. Final highlight: Vertical Danube view from Penzenstein.



Highlights:



  • Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (highest point of all Danube bike rounds, panoramic viewpoint)

  • Penzenstein (pilgrimage chapel and deep Danube view)

Directions:

Located in the deep gorge of the Upper Danube valley – at the Ranna mouth into the Danube – the secluded Rannamühl is the starting point for this magnificent summit bike ride. Initially, you warm up cycling downstream along the broad Danube on quiet side roads. About 1.7 km after Niederranna, the 550-meter elevation summit ascent begins! The first third leads in shady mixed forest in switchbacks through the steep flank of the Danube narrow valley. At the mystical Marsbach castle, once a feared robber knights’ nest, the hardest section is done.


You continue higher through the narrow Marsbach gorge, then the landscape opens up – a first sense of altitude provides a welcome feeling of success. Now lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farm hamlets, small woods ... pure Mühlviertel rural idyll delight you! Over gentle farm roads, you climb to the ridge at Emmerstorf. Here, a first view opens onto the village of Hofkirchen in the center of a rolling high plateau. A hidden paradise is the first thought. The relaxed riding with gentle ups and downs to the village allows regeneration. In the charming village center, the large parish church, townhouses, village fountain, pillory ... tell of a long market history. A highlight: The plant labyrinth just above the village. An ancient power place staged symbolically and surprising with its sublime view!


Over a natural dirt road – partly steeper – you reach the next terrain balcony. There you ride relaxed on farm roads towards Hamet. The final climb leads through ancient mixed mountain forest to the panoramic view village of Pfarrkirchen. At the forest edge above the parish church is the “summit” – a magnificent panoramic viewpoint (840 m). Congratulations, you are standing at the highest point of all Danube bike rounds! Wonderful deep views let you feel the altitude and dreamlike Alpine views show boundless vastness. Simply breathtaking! Another reward: 2.3 km of pure downhill fun – rushing through natural mountain forest interspersed with magnificent distant views! The remaining 5.4 km downhill to Oberkappel offer with four small climbs enjoyable scenic highlights.


In the bourgeois market town Oberkappel, a short visit to the market square ensemble resembling a town square is worth it. After crossing the Ranna river, the last big ascent begins: you cycle about 3 km, partly steeper, uphill. Natural mountain forest sections direct your gaze inward, rural cultivated land gives a sense of altitude. Almost over the mountain you reach the rural village Neustift. After a short descent into the Stöcklbach gorge, a shady forest ascent follows to the Bavarian border. Congratulations! Now you are on the gentle landscape balcony of Pühret directly above the Danube gorge. Through rural cultivated landscape, you ride pleasantly down the long, slightly rolling ridge. The final highlight: The short detour to the legendary viewpoint Penzenstein with a magnificent deep view to the Danube and to Engelhartszell with its famous monastery! Shortly after the village, the fast forest descent begins, past Rannariedl castle, through the steep flank of the Danube narrow valley. Once at the Danube shore, you cycle downstream along the broad mythic river on the legendary towpath. A magnificent summit bike ride with plenty of scenic impressions!

Tip:

Explorations with a pleasurable stop! This route passes directly by the following culinary partners:


Safety guidelines:

The main part of this wonderful summit bike route uses quiet, paved (side) roads. Between Hofkirchen and Hamet, a 1.3 km section runs over a steeper dirt road! Basic shifting skills are necessary for the long – partly steeper – ascent. Basic braking skills are necessary for the long – partly steeper – descent. Barely suitable for classic racing bikes.



Signposting


To help you orient yourself, the Danube bike rounds have been marked with their own cycling guidance system. This route follows the signposting "R1.06 Penzenstein route".

Starting place: 4085 Neustift im Mühlkreis
Destination: 4085 Neustift im Mühlkreis

duration: 3h 9m
length: 39,6 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 789m
Altitude difference (downhill): 789m

Lowest point: 282m
Highest point: 820m
difficulty: medium
condition: difficult
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Asphalt

Starting point: Rannamühl / Hofkirchen in the Mühlkreis – The Danube bike rounds starting point is located at the large parking lot at the mouth of the Ranna river into the Danube.
Destination: End location = start location (circular route)

further information:
  • Flatly
  • Board possible

Accessibility / arrival

Public Transit

Arrival in the Danube region


How to travel to the Upper Danube region in Upper Austria?


The quickest way to your destination – by train, bus, car, boat, or airplane.


Parking

Rannamühle parking lot

Travelling by public transport
Route planner for independent travellers
Most economical season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn

Please get in touch for more information.

R1.06 Penzenstein route
WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz

Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
https://www.donauregion.at