Grande Granite Round: Stage 2

From Kohlstatt, you bike – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a gently rolling mosaic of mixed forest and meadows to the northernmost point of the round. Congratulations! The return trip starts with wonderful forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel, you change into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. Along the valley slope and over hidden inland hills, it goes to Sarleinsbach. Final delicacies: three breathtaking intermediate river ridges and a summit assault to the high village of St. Stefan am Walde (805 m), on the Bohemian Forest roof!

Highlights:

• Northernmost point of the round


• Julbach - the Merano of the Mühlviertel


• Kleine Mühl, Große Mühl, and Steinerne Mühl (the rivers giving the Mühlviertel its name)


• High village St. Stefan am Walde (roof of the Bohemian Forest)


• Overnight stay: On the Bohemian Forest roof in the high village St. Stefan am Walde

From Kohlstatt, you cycle – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a gently rolling mosaic of mixed forest and meadows to the northernmost point of the round. Congratulations! The return trip starts with wonderful forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel, you change into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. Along the valley slope and over hidden inland hills, it goes to Sarleinsbach. Final delicacies: three breathtaking intermediate river ridges and a summit assault to the high village St. Stefan am Walde (805 m), on the Bohemian Forest roof!

To start, you cycle in the tri-border area of Austria, Bavaria, and the Czech Republic from Kohlstatt – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a wonderful gently rolling mixed forest and meadow mosaic downhill to the "North Cape." At the Bräuerau 16 homestead, you have reached the northernmost point of this MTB round. Congratulations! The return trip begins on the forest-rich Zwischenmühl ridge, the ridge between Große Mühl and Kleine Mühl. Through shady coniferous forests with hidden clearings, you pedal relaxedly uphill. After crossing the Bohemian Forest golf park (watch out for flying golf balls!), wonderful mountain mixed forest biking and a short "trail" ascent before the highest point (728 m) delight. A short forest descent, and then you stand on a terrain saddle with a beautiful view: Bohemian Forest ridge, Kleine Mühl valley, ... Now the route changes into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. A steep asphalt road quickly leads down to Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel! Due to its south-facing basin location, the climate here is particularly mild, so fruit trees thrive very well despite the high northern location. Shortly you cycle proudly further on the valley slope, then enjoy flowing downhill fun on fast field paths into the meadow ground of the Kleine Mühl. Harmony in perfection! Sweaty, the route leads on the opposite valley slope over Niederkraml, a challenging forest ridge (610 m), and a short intermediate descent to the historic market town Peilstein in the Mühlviertel! Situated on a hill above the Kleine Mühl, its name is said to derive from a hunting ground where game was bled (= killed). A quick loop leads down into the valley, up again on the other valley side to Stierberg and back again. Follow wonderful ridge biking along the Kleine Mühl valley: lonely farm roads, quaint forest paths, idyllic meadow paths, magnificent views, ... Enjoyable cycling alternates with challenging ascents and fast descents! Highest point: In the mountain forest between Rampetzreit and Hennerbach (640 m). From Rutzersdorf, you climb a challenging rural double hill in the hinterland (highest point: Innerhötzendorf 580 m). A short recovery ride in a hidden forest valley and after a challenging steep ascent, you stand in the historic market town Sarleinsbach. Half-time – a perfect place to rest! Neat farmer bourgeois houses at the charming marketplace tell stories of prosperous local farmers with civic rights.

Now begins the fascination of "intermediate river ridge biking": crossing the ridges between the rivers Kleine Mühl, Große Mühl, and Steinerne Mühl! These rivers give the Mühlviertel its name. After a rapid descent into the Lichtenbach valley, the crossing of the first intermediate river ridge (4.5 km, 140 m ascent, 180 m descent) into the Kleine Mühl valley starts. The steep ascent leads over a farm road, then on a challenging forest track to Obernberg (600 m), the highest point. Congratulations! Beautiful views calm the pulse. Finally, you joyfully rush 3.2 km through beautiful farmland and with short counter ascents into the forest-rich Kleine Mühl valley. The route follows the river on the quiet country road.

In Hühnergeschrei, the crossing of the second intermediate river ridge (12.8 km, 330 m ascent, 290 m descent) into the Große Mühl valley starts. You cycle uphill over a ridgeline with a view. Short steep sections provide altitude; several terrain terraces provide lightness. Wonderful views combined with shady mixed forest paths, natural meadow paths, and lonely farm roads create a magnificent rural idyll high experience. Highest point: intersection below the spot height 685 (675 m). Congratulations! The 7.5 km long descent in the rhythm of the hills leads you – alternating between the rush of speed, flow feeling, and trail fun – down into the forest-rich Große Mühl valley. From the Schönberg mill, the route briefly follows the river on the quiet country road.

Soon begins the crossing of the third intermediate river ridge (7.7 km, 303 m ascent, 260 m descent) into the Steinerne Mühl valley. After a rural ridge with a traditional hop garden in Marbach, a trail-like forest descent with a challenging forest ascent awaits. Shortly after the Hollerberger homestead, a quick descent to the Fleckbach provides welcome regeneration. Now, it’s time to push again: initially on a steep farm road, finally steep direttissima over the meadow to the Denkmalhof Unterkagerer, a jewel of rural cultural heritage. On the farm road just above, you stand with a high pulse but a beautiful distant view at the highest point (660 m). Congratulations! The 3.2 km long descent with a short counter ascent leads flowingly down into the forest-rich Steinerne Mühl valley. You leisurely follow the meanders of the hidden river on natural riding paths.

At the Zaglmühle, the final summit assault to the Bohemian Forest roof (350 meters altitude difference) begins. You pedal steeply up: initially on an asphalt settlement access road, later over natural meadow paths and finally on a very challenging forest path. After the houses of Haummer, it – thankfully – becomes more relaxed. The panorama opens. Now, sublime high-altitude cycling at its finest delights. On a gently ascending farm road, you reach the highest point (860 m) shortly before St. Stefan. Congratulations! A short descent and you have reached the high village St. Stefan am Walde (805 m).