Grande Granite Tour: Stage 2

Description:
Once you have passed Kohlstatt, you can bike ahead blissfully, Bohemian Forest ridge in view, through a patchwork of gentle hills, forest and meadow on to the northernmost point of the tour. Congratulations! The return journey starts with some wonderful forest biking on the ridge between the Mühl rivers. After seeing Julbach, the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat, you then progress to the meadow-filled valley of the Kleine Mühl river. On the route goes along the slope of the valley and over hidden hinterland hills to Sarleinsbach stream. And last but not least: three breath-taking ridges between rivers, followed by a dash up to the hilltop village of Sankt Stefan am Walde (805 metres) at the summit of the Bohemian Forest.

 

Highlights:

• Northernmost point on the route


• Julbach – the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat


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


• Sankt Stefan am Walde (hilltop village, summit of the Bohemian Forest)


• Overnight location: At the summit of the Bohemian Forest in the hilltop village of Sankt Stefan am Walde

Directions:
Once you have passed Kohlstatt, you can bike ahead blissfully, Bohemian Forest ridge in view, through a patchwork of gentle hills, forest and meadow on to the northernmost point of the tour. Congratulations! The return journey starts with some wonderful forest biking on the ridge between the Mühl rivers. After seeing Julbach, the Mühlviertel’s mild weather retreat, you then progress to the meadow-filled valley of the Kleine Mühl river. On the route goes along the slope of the valley and over hidden hinterland hills to Sarleinsbach stream. And last but not least: three breath-taking ridges between rivers, followed by a dash up to the hilltop village of Sankt Stefan am Walde (805 metres) at the summit of the Bohemian Forest.

 

Start by biking in the vicinity of the tri-border area between Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic from Kohlstatt, 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 MTB 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 shady 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 Mühltal. Now the route shifts over to the latter – the meadowy valley through which the Kleine Mühl flows. 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. 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 by the Kleine Mühl river – 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. Located on a hill above the Kleine Mühl, 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 crunchy 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 rough-and-ready steep climb, you will have reached the historical market at Sarleinsbach. Half-time – a perfect spot to take a break! The attractive market square is lined by the centuries-old grand houses of local farmers who made a prosperous living for themselves and acquired full rights as burghers in the town.

 

Here begins the tantalising prospect of river ridge riding, the chance to traverse the ridges that rise between the Kleine Mühl, Grosse Mühl and Steinerner Mühl rivers (from which the Mühlviertel region takes its name). 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. Give yourself a pat on the back! 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 then follows the river along a quiet country road.

 

In Hühnergeschrei, you will begin to cross your second ridge between rivers (12.8 kilometres, 330-metre ascent, 290-metre descent) into the Grosse Mühl valley. Next, cycle uphill over a ridge with splendid views over the surrounding scenery. Short, steep sections provide the height, balanced out by a stretch of easy, flat terrain. Wonderful views paired with shady paths through mixed forest, meadow tracks that bring you close to nature, and lonely farm roads combine to create a majestic, high-altitude, idyllic countryside experience. Highest point: Crossing below spot mark 685 (675 metres). Good job! Following the rhythm of the hills, the 7.5-kilometre descent offers an assortment of fast-flowing riding, wind in your hair and fun on the trail, guiding you down to the thickly forested Grosse Mühl valley. Passing Schönbergmühle mill, the route then briefly follows the river along a quiet country road.

 

Immediately from here, you will begin to cross your second ridge between rivers (8 kilometres, 303-metre ascent, 260-metre descent) into the Steinerne Mühl valley. After a high ridge used for farming and featuring traditional hop gardens in Marbach, a trail takes you on a forest descent – followed shortly after by a crunchy forest ascent. Shortly after the Hollerberger farmstead, a fast downhill to Fleckbach stream provides a welcome opportunity to reset and recharge. Then it is time to get pedalling again – initially on a steep farm road, finally, in ultra-direct, rough-and-ready fashion, across the meadow to the Denkmalhof Unterkagerer farmhouse museum, a treasured piece of rural cultural heritage. On the farm road just above, your heart will be racing as you take in the beautiful views at the highest point (660 metres). Nicely done! The 3.2-kilometre descent with a short counter-climb heads down into the heavily forested Steinerne Mühl valley. Follow the meanders of the secluded river on riding trails provided by Mother Nature.

 

At Zaglmühle mill comes the final summit dash towards the top of the Bohemian Forest (elevation gain: 350 metres). This will involve cranking up steeply, initially on an asphalted road towards a settlement, later in close proximity to nature along a meadow track, then finally on a super-crunchy forest path. After the houses of Haummer, it becomes – mercifully – more leisurely. The panoramic views open up, and you can enjoy sublime mountain biking thrills at their finest. A gently ascending farm road will then point you up to the highest point (860 metres) just before Sankt Stefan. Congratulations! One short descent later and you will have reached the hilltop village of Sankt Stefan am Walde (805 metres).