Grande Granite Tour: Stage 1

Description:
Starting from the deep Danube Gorge, bike to the village of Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 metres) at the southern summit of the bevelled uplands and savour the panoramic views. After a fantastic downhill run with alpine scenery, the route follows the hilly agricultural landscape on the west slope of the mountain range. The second peak dash takes you from the forested summit of Ameisberg, the highest point of the uplands at 941 metres! Enjoyable downhills with a varied backdrop and a hilly stretch then take you up to the north end of the uplands. Then, it is a case of navigating a gently hilly highland with a harmonious patchwork of woodland and fields into the secluded village of Kohlstatt. A spectacular start!

 

Highlights:

• Upper Danube Valley Nature Reserve (rare, forested gorge)


• Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (highest village in the region, panoramic viewpoint)


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


• Schloss Altenhof palace (architectural gem)


• Overnight accommodation: A secluded Mühlviertel inn

Directions:
Starting from the deep Danube Gorge, bike to the village of Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 metres) at the southern summit of the bevelled uplands and savour the panoramic views. After a fantastic downhill run with alpine scenery, the route follows the hilly agricultural landscape on the west slope of the mountain range. The second peak dash takes you from the forested summit of Ameisberg, the highest point of the uplands at 941 metres! Enjoyable downhills with a varied backdrop and a hilly stretch then take you up to the north end of the uplands. Then, it is a case of navigating a gently hilly highland with a harmonious patchwork of woodland and fields into the secluded village of Kohlstatt. A spectacular start!

 

The Upper Danube Valley is over 90 kilometres long, making it one of the longest gorges along the Danube. Nestled in the deep gorge of the Upper Danube Valley, where the Ranna river flows into the Danube, the lonely hamlet of Rannamühl is the starting point for this choppy uphill blast. First, you will ride along the banks of the broad Danube downstream on quiet side roads. Around 1.7 kilometres after Niederranna begins the 550-metre summit dash! The first third of this ascent heads up the shady mixed forest in hairpin bends through the Danube Valley’s steep slope. At the legendary Schloss Marsbach castle, once a feared nest of robber barons in feudal times, the route swings up even more steeply for a short interval. Then the landscape opens up, with the first realisation of the elevation reached ensuring a welcome sense of success. You will subsequently pass through lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farmers’ hamlets, woods and more besides –  in short, idyllic Mühlviertel countryside! Relatively leisurely country lanes then lead up a small hill to the mystical Labyrinth der Verwandlung (“Labyrinth of Transformation”) installation. The magic of the place prompts visitors to think about the sort of transformation that multi-day biking tours awaken in us – mountain biking as philosophical inspiration! Following the rhythm of the hills, you will then ride uphill to the ridge at Emmerstorf. Here, you can get a first view of the village of Hofkirchen in the centre of a rolling high plateau. After a loop with a refreshing descent and an enjoyable trail climb, you will be at the edge of the historical market. Slightly above the village stands the Labyrinth der Begegnung (“Labyrinth of Encounters”) installation, which recalls the local history of salt trading and from which a majestic view of the Alps can be taken in. A dirt road, itself with a panoramic vista, then ascends to the next stretch of high land – with some steep sections along the way. The last climb leads through wonderful mixed forest on the mountainside – initially on trails, then finally on a quiet country lane towards the village of Pfarrkirchen, which boasts breath-taking views of the surrounding scenery. This is the highest village in Mühlviertel Granite Country’s highlands and uplands. At the edge of the forest above the centre of the village is a magnificent panoramic viewpoint (840 metres), which is sure to delight those visitors who make it up there. Congratulations, you are standing at the southern summit of the bevelled uplands! Sensationally beautiful views down the valley reinforce the elevation you have reached, while the Alpine backdrop is no less breath-taking. This is followed by a blissful, dreamy downhill stretch, encompassing historical forest trails, effortless asphalt surfaces with astonishing views over the Alps and a free-flowing frolic through the forest until heading down to Schloss Altenhof, which is well worth stopping to see. The inhabited private palace on a terraced hill is a true gem, from the avenue running through it to its stately gardens and architecture. Once it belonged to the House of Falkensteiner, a powerful ruling family that was significantly involved in developing settlements from the Mühlviertel’s primeval forests. The route now follows the hilly agricultural landscape on the western slope of the upland. After a short and fun descent through meadows comes a hidden mini valley full of the spirit of Mühlviertel rural life, after which you can conquer the heart-pumping ascent to Schlag (elevation gain: 160 metres). Following the rhythm of the hills, you can then whiz along down to Aumühle mill with some short counter-climbs. There begins the second summit dash (410 metres)! This involves riding 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 forest at the summit. Short, steep steps require some adroitness from the rider. 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. Congratulations! The castle-like viewing tower was built back in 1903 for tourist use, although today, it generally cannot be accessed. Next, a 3.5-kilometre downhill stretch 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 secluded farmland and 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 elevated terrain begins a final climb into the uplands – a bending uphill course with 150 metres of elevation gain through striking 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 up to the secluded village of Kohlstatt. All in all, a spectacular start!