Granite Beer Tour: Stage 2

Description:
From Oberkappel follows a dash up to the forested summit of Ameisberg, the highest point of the uplands at 941 metres. Congratulations! After 3.7 kilometres of enjoyable downhills with a varied backdrop, there is a hilly stretch up to the north end of the uplands, which then continues through rolling hills. Once you have passed Kohlstatt, you can bike ahead blissfully, Bohemian Forest ridge in view, through a patchwork of gentle hills, forest and meadow, onwards to the northernmost point of the tour. The way back begins with some enjoyable riding through mixed forest on the ridge between Mühl rivers. After seeing Julbach, the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat, you then progress to the meadowy valley of the Kleine Mühl river. Lastly, the rough-and-ready valley slope brings you ahead to Peilstein im Mühlviertel.

 

Highlights:

• Ameisberg (highest mountain in the region, lookout point)


• View of Bohemian Forest ridge (Bohemian Forest, Central Europe’s largest forested area)


• Northernmost point of The Great Big Round tour


• Austria, Germany and Czech Republic tri-national border


• Julbach – the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat

Directions:
From Oberkappel follows a dash up to the forested summit of Ameisberg, the highest point of the uplands at 941 metres. Congratulations! After 3.7 kilometres of enjoyable downhills with a varied backdrop, there is a hilly stretch up to the north end of the uplands, which then continues through rolling hills. Once you have passed Kohlstatt, you can bike ahead blissfully, Bohemian Forest ridge in view, through a patchwork of gentle hills, forest and meadow, onwards to the northernmost point of the tour. The way back begins with some enjoyable riding through mixed forest on the ridge between Mühl rivers. After seeing Julbach, the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat, you then progress to the meadowy valley of the Kleine Mühl river. Lastly, the rough-and-ready valley slope brings you ahead to Peilstein im Mühlviertel.

 

The tranquil market at Oberkappel is the starting point for the uphill dash to the top of the bevelled upland (elevation gain: 430 meters). After a mill, the Aumühle, you will ride up a high ridge, taking you close to nature along tracks through fields and meadows as well as on lonely farm roads past a scattering of hamlets. As the elevation increases, the views over the surrounding scenery will open up – as will your sweat pores. Around the hamlet of Amesedt, the plateau allows a welcome opportunity to proceed at a more leisurely pace before immersing yourself in the ancient forest at the summit of the bevelled uplands. Short, steep steps require some adroitness on the trail. After a relaxed section of country lane, you will make the final climb through dreamlike mixed forest with a number of tricky spots to navigate. At the foot of the observation tower surrounded by the forest, you are at the highest point of either the bevelled uplands or Granite Country’s highlands – 941 metres. Give yourself a pat on the back! The castle-like viewing tower was built back in 1903 for tourist use, although today, it generally cannot be accessed. Next, 3.7 kilometres of enjoyable downhills with a varied backdrop is sure to put a smile on any biker’s face, followed by enjoyable trail riding through the high forest, which then opens up into visually beautiful landscape. The lowest point is reached at the hamlet of Mollmannsreith. A section across hilly terrain with a 140-metre ascent and a brisk 2-kilometre descent takes you through lonely coniferous forests and quiet farmland, then onwards to Kollerschlag. The end of this settlement’s name means “clearing”, recalling the time in which sections of the Mühlviertel’s ancient forests were felled for development. Here at the north end of the mountain range, which is visible from miles and miles away, begins a final climb into the uplands – a bending uphill course with 150 metres of elevation gain through shady forests and agricultural oases. The farming hamlet of Geretschlag is followed by an expanse of elevated, gently undulating terrain featuring a harmonious patchwork of woodland and fields. In the lonely forest above Kohlstatt, the highest point of this journey across is reached. Now, you can bike ahead into the vicinity of the tri-border area between Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic, Bohemian Forest ridge in view, downhill through a blissful patchwork of gentle hills, mixed forest and meadow. Once you make it to the farmhouse at Bräuerau 16, you have reached the northernmost point of this mountain biking tour – the Mühlviertel’s very own “North Cape”. Congratulations! The return journey begins on the forested ridge between the Grosse Mühl and Kleine Mühl rivers. This is a relaxed ride uphill through exhilarating coniferous forests with secluded clearings. After crossing past Golfpark Böhmerwald (and watching out for stray golf balls flying through the air!), the route will take you through a handsome area of mixed forest and a short trail ascent ahead of the highest point (728 metres). Then follows a brief forest descent, after which you will be standing at an anticline with gorgeous views over the Bohemian Forest ridge and the Kleine Mühl valley. Now the route shifts over to the meadowy Kleine Mühl valley. A steep asphalt road leads down to Julbach, the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat! Due to its south-facing position in a basin, it enjoys particularly temperate weather, so fruit trees thrive in spite of the village’s high, northern location. Top tip: The Heimathaus Julbach offers impressive insights into the local life in the 19th century, giving you the chance to learn some of the ins and outs of Granite Country. Then, for a short time, you will bike ahead on the slope of the valley before enjoying some invigorating downhill fun on fast-paced dirt roads down to the meadows where the Kleine Mühl flows – different landscapes in perfect harmony. The route demands some tough legwork on the opposite side of the valley via Niederkraml, with a crunchy forest ridge (610 metres) and a short descent as you pass through to the historical market at Peilstein im Mühlviertel, on a hill overlooking the Kleine Mühl valley.