R1.14 Moonstone Circuit

Fantastic summit bike route from the Strudengau gorge – once one of the most dangerous sections of the Danube – to the mystical Moonstone (600 m). You cycle over two panoramic mountain ridges to the highest point. Magnificent distant views, short climbs, relaxing terraces ... pure enjoyment! Cultural highlights: Kneipp spa resort Bad Kreuzen, Danube town Grein.

Highlights:

• Summit bike tour with 375 meters of elevation gain


• Historic town of Grein (The gateway to the Strudengau – Greinburg, oldest city theater ...)


• 360° panoramic observation tower at Kreuzen Castle


• Kneipp Garden "Bad Kreuzen" (largest Kneipp garden in Austria)


• Moonstone (highest point of the circuit, mystical power place)

The Strudengau – the narrow breakthrough valley of the Danube – was once one of the most dangerous sections of the river. The historic town of Grein is the gateway to the Strudengau and was the last safe docking option before the dangerous water whirlpools. Magnificent facades, elegant oriels ... tell of prosperity through pilot and transfer services. A Danube highlight! The 375-meter summit climb begins at the Danube bank in Grein. At the foot of Greinburg Castle, you cycle through the historic town center. Shortly after leaving the town, the first panoramic mountain ridge climb begins. Through rustic Mühlviertel farmland and short forest sections, the farm road meanders upwards. Short climbs alternate with relaxing terraces. The panorama opens with increasing altitude: the hidden Klam basin, the imposing Clam Castle, the majestic Alps ... pure pleasure cycling!

At the ridge summit, you can see the Kneipp spa resort Bad Kreuzen and Kreuzen Castle on the crosswise ridge. After a short section on the main road, you stand at the saddle between town and castle. Here, two small detours are worthwhile: Kreuzen Castle surprises with a magnificent 360° panoramic view from the keep! The traditional spa resort impresses with granite art and invites regeneration in Austria's largest Kneipp garden! A short forest descent follows into the Badbach valley. There begins the second panoramic mountain ridge climb. Above the quaint valley forest, a rural panoramic ridge fascinates: magnificent deep views, the Alps to the south, the eternal northern forest to the north ... a true altitude flight! At the mystical Moonstone (600 m), an ancient cult site, you stand on the roof of the circuit. Congratulations!

A short stretch back, then gently rolling through rural cultural landscape to the north and finally fast downhill into the lonely forest valley of the Gießenbach. In the shady valley floor, you cycle relaxed downstream. After a section on the main road past the popular Au mill, you leave the forest valley via a steep forest farm road. Once the ridge is reached, it means pure descent bliss! Through lush meadows, small woods, past beautiful farms ... Short counter climbs and a piece of dirt road are the cherry on top. At the farmstead Ober-/Unterwarschenberg, a great deep view of Grein surprises. In the rhythm of the descent curves, you quickly reach the outskirts of the town. Tip: It is worth interrupting the descent rush at the railway bridge for a short detour to the Kalvarienberg: wonderful view of the Grein bay and the historic townscape! Then it's down to the Danube bank road and over the Danube promenade back to the starting point. Once to the moon(stone) and back!

The main part of this fantastic summit bike route uses well-paved farm roads and rural side streets. In the Gießenbach valley, a 1.4 km section runs along a lightly trafficked main road. On the ridge before Grein, an approximately 500 m stretch of dirt road is easy to handle even for road cyclists. Basic shifting skills are necessary for the long uphill ride. Basic braking skills are necessary for the winding descents.

Signage:

To make orientation easier, the Danube bike circuits have been marked with their own cycling guidance system. This circuit follows the signage "R1.14 Moonstone Circuit".