Granite Beer Tour: Total circuit

Description:
The Mühlviertel Granite Country’s highlands tower above the Alpine foothills, offering magnificent views, pristine mixed forests, amber-coloured streams, a scattering of farmers’ hamlets and much more besides. The old primeval mountains in the area eroded over millions of years, revealing a stunning granite core. In the west of the region stand uplands filled with forests; to the north, there is an idyllic ridge between rivers; and the south is home to a plateau dotted with farmsteads and offering a panoramic perspective. Over three days, this biking tour allows you to experience the timeless allure of the oldest landscape in Austria, with three mountain peaks, crunchy climbs, flowing downhill stretches, crossings, panoramic views … and a few techy sections along the way. In short, an amazing biking adventure through granite landscapes!

Overview:

• Section 1: Smooth sailing along slopes in the Danube Valley and a dash up to the peak with panoramic views from Pfarrkirchen village


• Section 2: Across the uplands’ highest peak to the “North Cape” and back


• Section 3: Biking along ridges, between rivers and across a plateau with stunning views

Directions:
Stage 1: Smooth sailing along slopes in the Danube Valley and a dash up to the peak with panoramic views from Pfarrkirchen village

A unique stretch of smooth sailing along the slopes of the Danube Gorge forges through magnificent forests, taking you up to the plateau three times and back. Impressive stopover: the 360-degree Donau am Berg panoramic lookout tower (613 metres) at Kirchberg ob der Donau. Next comes a trip through Granite Country’s farm-dotted highlands with a crunchy climb and 7.5 kilometres of blissful downhill riding past the Schlögen Danube Loop – a listed natural wonder. 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. Last but certainly not least, a delightful, free-flowing descent down to Oberkappel. All in all, a spectacular start!

Highlights:

• Untermühl Danube river port (toll tower with viewing platform, terminus of Schwarzenberg Canal)


• Donau am Berg lookout tower (360-degree panoramic view, former castle site)


• Obermühl an der Donau (submerged Danube resort, historical salt road)


• Schlögen Danube Loop (listed natural wonder) & Upper Danube Valley Nature Reserve


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

Stage 2: Past the “North Cape” and ridge between rivers to the top of the Bohemian Forest

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

Stage 3: Biking along ridges, between rivers and on a plateau with stunning views

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)