Granite Beer Tour: Stage 3

Description:
Highland biking with a rich variety of scenery, features and surprises along the slopes of the Kleine Mühl valley with crunchy climbs and fast descents. The route then crosses a series of secluded hinterland hills towards Sarleinsbach. Two ridges between rivers, which are typical of the region’s topography, are sure to provide an enjoyable ride – the first offering a robust physical challenge and the second promising pure fun. After a testing forest ascent from the Grosse Mühl valley come the delights of the panoramic plateau dotted with farms, where sublime biking through cultivated countryside meets fun on the trail between granite quarries. In Sankt Martin im Mühlkreis, a fabulous downhill stretch with views over the Danube Valley to the riverport of Untermühl delivers a spectacular end to the journey!

 

Highlights:

• Neufelden (historical market square, hop gardens)


• Secluded granite quarries (area in which famous Neuhauser granite is mined)


• Brauerei Hofstetten (oldest brewery in Austria, granite-filtered beer)


• Schloss Neuhaus palace (granite transport – end of field railway, start of cable car to Danube)


• Untermühl (port on the Danube, location from which famous Neuhauser granite is shipped)

Directions:
Highland biking with a rich variety of scenery, features and surprises along the slopes of the Kleine Mühl valley with crunchy climbs and fast descents. The route then crosses a series of secluded hinterland hills towards Sarleinsbach. Two ridges between rivers, which are typical of the region’s topography, are then sure to provide an enjoyable ride – the first offering a robust physical challenge and the second promising pure fun. After a testing forest ascent from the Grosse Mühl valley come the delights of the panoramic plateau dotted with farms, where sublime biking through cultivated countryside meets fun on the trail between granite quarries. In Sankt Martin im Mühlkreis, a fabulous downhill stretch with views over the Danube Valley to the riverport of Untermühl delivers a spectacular end to the journey!

 

The historical market at Peilstein im Mühlviertel is the starting point for the final leg of the tour. Located on a hill above the Kleine Mühl river, its name is said to derive from a hunting ground. A fast loop spirals down into the valley, back up on the other side of the valley to Stierberg and then back again. This is followed by some majestic high ridge biking along the Kleine Mühl valley, taking in lonely farm roads, quaint forest paths, idyllic meadow routes, sublime views and more. Leisurely riding interspersed with crunchy climbs and fast descents! Highest point: in the mountainous forest between Rampetzreit und Hennerbach (640 metres). From Rutzersdorf, you climb a crisp double hill in the agricultural backcountry (highest point: Innerhötzendorf at 580 metres). After a brief chance to recharge your batteries riding through a secluded forested valley and then a tricky steep climb, you will have reached the historical market at Sarleinsbach. At the attractive market square stand the centuries-old grand houses of local farmers who made a prosperous living for themselves and acquired full rights as burghers in the town.

 

Then begins a special part of the Granite County highlands: the chance to bike down a ridge between rivers! After a rapid descent into Lichtenbach valley, you will begin to cross your first ridge between rivers (4.5 kilometres, 140-metre ascent, 180-metre descent) into the Kleine Mühl valley. The steep climb leads over a country lane, then onto a rough-and-ready forest trail to Obernberg (600 metres), the highest point. Congratulations! Let your heart rate come down for a while as you enjoy the stunning views. Finally, whiz through 3.2 kilometres of beautiful farmland accompanied by short counter-climbs into the forested Kleine Mühl valley. The route follows the river along a quiet country road.

 

In Hühnergeschrei, you will begin to cross your second ridge between rivers (8 kilometres, 220-metre ascent, 200-metre descent) into the Grosse Mühl valley. This stretch of the route takes the rider from deep forested valley up a high ridge also used for farming. After the village of Partenreit, the panorama opens up. Shortly afterwards, you will have reached the highest point (566 metres). Well done! Next up is a 3.2-kilometre section of pure joy, running through idyllic Mühlviertel countryside, past the fresh fragrances of the hop fields at harvest time, then onto an enjoyable trail alongside a shady stream wending its way through coniferous forest, before reaching a secluded collector road.

After a short counter-climb, you will be rolling into the baroque market square at Neufelden. Located on a headland surrounded by the Grosse Mühl river, the magnificent townhouses are testament to the prosperity generated through trade and commerce. The salt from Obermühl, too, was brought here on its way to Bohemia. The steep forest slope descends quickly to the Grosse Mühl, then the route follows the history-steeped river around the headland.

 

A rough-and-ready forest ascent takes you across to the panoramic plateau dotted with farms, beginning a sublime ride through the cultivated landscape with a feeling of almost endless expanse. Then, after a colourful patchwork of fields and a brief dip into the mini valley cradling a stream, beckons the village of Kleinzell im Mühlkreis. This is followed by one of the true gems of Granite Country biking: a 2.5-kilometre descent on which bikers can cruise down the enjoyable asphalt. Plus, there are some short trails past secluded quarries, where the famous Neuhaus granite is mined. Visitors interested in finding out more about granite mining in the region can visit the Erlebniswelt Granit open-air museum in Plöcking, which is just a kilometre’s detour away. From the deep, wooded mini valley in which Diesenbach stream flows, the sometimes challenging route leads around 170 metres up over a high ridge used for farming up to the house at Lanzersdorf 17, the highest point of the route up here on the plateau (595 metres). Congratulations! The following stretch allows you to recharge your batteries as you sail along with breath-taking panoramic views over the Alps. The path undulates somewhat as you head towards the Brauerei Hofstetten, the oldest brewery in Austria, and down towards Sankt Martin im Mühlkreis. The special importance of the village only becomes evident with a realisation of its history as a stop on the salt road to Bohemia. Top tip: Neuhauser granite, including in sculpture form, can be seen in the parish church’s artistic ribbed vault, and the region’s delicious granite-filtered beer bespeaks a long tradition of hospitality. Now, the way back to the deep Danube Valley begins. A fast-paced descent leads down into the secluded depression that is home to Dreissenbach stream, offering a surprise in the form of a brief but bumpy trail ascent through meadows and woodland. Afterwards, you will enjoy a fabulous panoramic view of the Danube Valley from a ridge – a true highlight of the trip! One short and fun ascent later, you will be crossing the final mini valley towards the magnificent Schloss Neuhaus, a private palace. It was here that the field railway once transported Neuhaus granite from the quarries by cable car down to the Danube. Afterwards, you will dive back into the ancient, forested gorge of the Danube Valley, racing down to the Danubeside port of Untermühl, where this same granite was loaded onto ships. Granite Country biking – an unforgettable experience!