Granite Beer Round: Stage 1

In the deep Danube gorge, unique flank surfing begins through magnificent hillside gorge forests - 3x high plateau and return. Impressive intermediate destination: the 360° panoramic observation tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (613 m) in Kirchberg ob der Donau. Afterwards, an excursion over the rural granite highland delights with a steep climb and a 7.5 km dream downhill ride over the heart of the natural wonder Schlögen Danube Bend. After relaxed Danube cycling, you bike to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (840 m), on the southern summit of the rump mountain range! Final delicacy: a flowing pleasure descent to Oberkappel. A magnificent start!

Highlights:

• Danube harbor town Untermühl (end point of the Schwarzenberg floating canal)


• Observation tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (360° panoramic view, Burgstall)


• Obermühl on the Danube (sunken Danube town, historic salt road)


• Natural wonder Schlögen Danube Bend & European protected area Upper Danube Valley


• Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (highest village in the region, panoramic viewing spot)

The Upper Danube Valley – with over 90 km (!) one of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube. In this deep gorge lies the starting point – the harbor town Untermühl. Today unremarkable, it was once significant: supply point for Danube shipping, end of the Schwarzenberg floating canal, ...! To warm up, you cycle gently into the romantic Große Mühl valley to the hidden Partenstein pumped storage power station. Here begins unique flank surfing through wonderful hillside gorge forests! The first climb (180 meters elevation) leads over a steep maintenance road along the power plant's pressure pipes onto the high plateau to the farming settlement Ramersberg. Congratulations! You speed down a steep forest path back into the depths of the Große Mühl valley – to Ebenmühle. The second climb (280 meters elevation) leads over a partly steep historic carriage road to the opposite high plateau. Up top, you cycle majestically through rolling farmland to Kirchberg ob der Donau to the imposing observation tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (613 m). Congratulations – halfway through the flank surfing! Magnificent 360° panoramic views over the Mühlviertel, the Danube valley, the Sauwald, ... up to the Alps. By the way, here you are standing on the highest elevation rising directly out of the Danube stream. Flowingly, the bike runs a short distance to the edge of the Danube gorge, then the demanding steep descent through the Danube valley flank on partly trail-like forest paths demands full concentration. For welcome regeneration, there is relaxed river cruising along the Danube to Obermühl on the Danube. Attentive bikers will notice the contrast between the historic grain store at the beginning of town and the contemporary architecture of the rest of the village. The reason: the historic town center sank in the floods of the Danube reservoir for the Aschach power station. At the modern „Gold“ church starts the third climb (260 meters elevation). An abandoned stone road leads briskly through the steep Kleine Mühl valley flank – the old salt road. Once, the salt of the legendary Salzkammergut was transported by ship to Obermühl and muleteers brought it to Bohemia. For cycling philosophers: „Today our jerseys are soaked with salt“ ;-) At the high plateau, the turning point is reached at the farming settlement Untered. Congratulations! A short regenerative cultural ride and then on demanding carriage roads the steep valley flank back into the depths of the Kleine Mühl valley – to the Bruckwirt.

A steep mixed forest climb (170 meters elevation) leads – partly with trail flair – to Lembach in the Mühlkreis (552 m). There begins a wonderful introductory round over the granite highland: majestic sea of hills, beautiful distant views, mosaic of meadows, fields and small forests, scattered farming settlements, ... harmony perfected! You cycle enjoyably over a panoramic hill, then approach the edge of the rump mountain range. At the farming settlement Starnberg (690 m) you stand at the highest point of this crossing! Congratulations! The 7.5 km long descent into the Danube valley is a dream: short forest sections, small rural plateaus, asphalt swooping, ... up to the roof of the famous natural wonder Schlögen Danube Bend! The deeply carved mythical Danube changes its direction here within a few kilometers twice by 180°. The last descent section – through the nature-protected hillside gorge forest of the steep Danube valley flank – delights with trail character.

Relaxed river cruising along the mighty Danube stream leaves room for reflection: about the fascination of „granite biking“, gratitude, happiness, ... After about 2 km begins the 550-meter elevation summit assault to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis! The first third leads in shaded mixed forest in serpentine bends through the steep flank of the Danube gorge. At the legendary Marsbach castle, once a feared robber knight nest, the route briefly climbs even steeper. Then the landscape opens – a first height feeling brings a welcome feeling of success. Now lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farming settlements, small woods, ... – pure Mühlviertel rural idyll! On leisurely country roads you pass the mystical installation „Labyrinth of Transformation“ and in a wide arc past the edge of the historic market Hofkirchen in the Mühlkreis. Slightly above the village, the installation „Labyrinth of Encounter“ surprises with a fantastic Alpine view! Over a panoramic field path it goes partly steeply to the next terrain balcony. The last ascent leads through wonderful mixed mountain forest – initially on trail-like forest paths, finally on a quiet country road – to the panoramic view village Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis. It is the highest village of the granite highland. At the forest edge above the village center, a grand panoramic viewpoint (840 m) delights. Congratulations, you stand on the southern summit of the rump mountain range! Magnificent deep views convey altitude and breathtaking Alpine views infinite expanse. Final delicacy: 8.4 km of pure downhill fun! The first part in the rush of speed through natural mountain forest with hidden distant views. The second part offers enjoyable landscape cinema with four small counter climbs to Oberkappel, today's stage destination.