Grande Granite Loop: Stage 1

From the deep Danube gorge, bike to the panoramic-view village Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 m), at the southern summit of the (core) mountains! After a dreamlike descent with views of the Alps, the route follows the rural hilly landscape on the western flank of the ridge. The second summit assault leads you to the mixed forest summit of Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (core) mountains! A varied fun descent and hilly ride take you to the northern end of the ridge. Afterwards, you cycle through gently rolling highlands with a harmonious forest-field mosaic to the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!

Highlights:

• Europe's protected area Upper Danube Valley (Rare slope gorge forests)


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


• Ameisberg (highest mountain of the region, observation tower)


• Altenhof Castle (architectural jewel)


• Accommodation: In a secluded Mühlviertel guesthouse

From the deep Danube gorge, bike to the panoramic-view village Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 m), at the southern summit of the (core) mountains! After a dreamlike descent with views of the Alps, the route follows the rural hilly landscape on the western flank of the ridge. The second summit assault leads you to the mixed forest summit of Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (core) mountains! A varied fun descent and hilly ride take you to the northern end of the ridge. Afterwards, you cycle through gently rolling highlands with a harmonious forest-field mosaic to the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!

The Upper Danube Valley – With over 90 km (!) one of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube. Located in the deep gorge of the Upper Danube Valley – at the Ranna estuary into the Danube – the remote Rannamühl is the starting point for this challenging summit assault stage. First, you warm up cycling downstream along the broad Danube river on quiet side roads. Around 1.7 km after Niederranna, the 550-meter ascent to the summit begins! The first third winds through shady mixed forest in switchbacks along the steep flank of the Danube Gorge. At the legendary Marsbach Castle, once a feared robber baron’s nest, the route climbs even steeper briefly. Then the landscape opens up – an initial sense of elevation provides a welcome feeling of success. Now lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farm hamlets, small woods, ... pure Mühlviertel rural idyll! Over gentler farm tracks, it goes to a small hill with the mystical installation "Labyrinth of Transformation." The magic of the place naturally invites reflection on the transformation that multi-day bike tours here evoke. Cycling as philosophical inspiration! In the rhythm of the hills, you cycle uphill to the ridge in Emmerstorf. Here, a first view opens on the village of Hofkirchen in the center of a rolling high plateau. After a loop with regenerating descent and enjoyable trail mid-ascent, you stand at the edge of the historic market. Slightly above the village, the installation "Labyrinth of Encounter" recalls historical salt exchange and surprises with an amazing Alpine view! Along a panorama-rich field path, partly steep, you go to the next terrain level. The final climb goes through wonderful mixed mountain forest – initially on trail-like forest paths, finally on a quiet country road – to the panoramic-view village Pfarrkirchen. It is the highest village of the granite (high)land. At the forest edge above the village center, a magnificent panoramic viewpoint (840 m) awaits. Congratulations, you are standing on the southern summit of the (core) mountains! Gorgeous views down bring the sense of height and breathtaking Alpine views unlimited vastness. Then follows a 6 km dream descent full of bliss: historic forest trails with trail character, breathtaking Alpine views while asphalt surfing, flowy forest path fun, ... down to the scenic Altenhof Castle. The inhabited private castle on a terraced hill is an architectural jewel overall: avenue, garden complex, buildings, ...! Once it belonged to the lordship of the Falkensteiners, a powerful noble family largely involved in the development of the original Mühlviertel forests. The route now follows the rural hilly landscape on the western flank of the (core) mountains. After a short fun descent on a meadow path, you overcome a lively Mühlviertel-rural idyll hidden ravine with a substantial climb (160 meters elevation) to Schlag. In the rhythm of the hills, you rush down at speed with short counter ascents to the Aumühle. There begins the second summit assault (410 meters elevation)! Over natural field and meadow paths or lonely farm roads, you cycle past scattered farm hamlets up a ridge. With increasing height, panorama and sweat pores open up. The plateau of Amesedt allows welcome regeneration, then you dive into the summit forest. Short steep sections require riding skill. After a relaxed country road section, you climb through fantastic mixed forest with tricky places the last few elevation meters. At the foot of the forest-surrounded observation tower, you stand at the highest point (941 m) of the (core) mountains as well as the granite (high)land. Congratulations! The castle-like observation tower was built in 1903 for tourism reasons by the way. Today, the tower is irregularly accessible. A varied 3.5 km long descent brings a happy smile: short trail fun in the summit forest, then opens up a delightful scenic cinema at its finest. Mollmannsreith is the lowest point reached. A hilly crossing with 140 meters elevation gain and a fast 2 km descent leads you through lonely conifer forests and hidden farm settlements to Kollerschlag. For the attentive: The name part "-schlag" means "clearing" and recalls the time of development of the Mühlviertel primeval forests: Here at the northern end of the (core) mountains starts a last high excursion into the (core) mountains, a mountain loop with 150 meters elevation gain through shady mountain forests dotted with rural oases. From the farmstead Geretschlag, a gently rolling highland with a harmonious forest-field mosaic pleases to the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!