Grande Granit Round: Entire route

The Mühlviertler Granite (High)Land – majestic above the Alpine foothills, magnificent distant views, rugged mixed forests, amber-colored brooks, scattered farm hamlets, ... Over millions of years, the former primeval mountain range eroded and revealed a wonderful granite core. To the west a forest-rich (trunk) mountain range, to the north idyllic inter-river ridges, and to the south a rural panoramic high plateau. This bike route lets you experience the fascination of Austria’s oldest landscape: with three peaks, challenging climbs, flowing descents, crossings, panoramic stretches, ... and individual technical sections. Pure granite bike fun!

Overview:

• Stage 1: Summit assault on the (trunk) mountain range of the Granite (High)Land


• Stage 2: Over the North Cape and inter-river ridges to the Bohemian Forest Roof


• Stage 3: Bohemian Forest biking, high ridge cruising & cult viewing peak


• Stage 4: Panoramic high plateau with valley side trips


• Stage 5: Bikers Heaven – flank surfing between Danube current and high plateau

Stage 1: Summit assault on the (trunk) mountain range of the Granite (High)Land

Biking from the deep Danube gorge to the panoramic view village of Pfarrkirchen im Mühlkreis (840 m), at the southern peak of the (trunk) mountain range! After an amazing Alpine view descent, the route follows the rural rolling hills on the western flank of the ridge. The second summit assault leads you to the mixed forest peak of Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (trunk) mountain range! A varied fun descent and rolling ride to the northern end of the ridge. Then you bike through gently rolling highlands with a harmonious forest-field mosaic into the secluded Kohlstatt. A magnificent start!

Highlights:

• Europe 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, viewing tower)


• Altenhof Castle (architectural jewel)


• Overnight: In secluded Mühlviertler guesthouse

Stage 2: Over the North Cape and inter-river ridges to the Bohemian Forest Roof

From Kohlstatt, you bike – the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – happily through a gently rolling mixed forest-meadow mosaic to the northernmost point of the round. Congratulations! The return journey starts with wonderful forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Meran of the Mühlviertel, you switch to the meadow-rich Kleine Mühl valley. Along the valley flank and over hidden inland hills, the route leads to Sarleinsbach. Final delights: three breathtaking inter-river ridges and a summit assault to the high village St. Stefan am Walde (805 m), on the Bohemian Forest roof!

Highlights:

• Northernmost point of the round


• Julbach – the Meran of the Mühlviertel


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


• High village St. Stefan am Walde (roof of the Bohemian Forest)


• Overnight: On the Bohemian Forest roof in the high village St. Stefan am Walde

Stage 3: Bohemian Forest biking, high ridge cruising & cult viewing peak

Magnificent start: Wonderful high biking on the Bohemian Forest roof – with wide views & forest trails! In Guglwald, a delightful descent into the Steinerne Mühl valley excites. A mountainous trip into the inland lets you experience solitude. Back at the Steinerne Mühl begins the dreamlike ascent to the Petersberg high ridge with a final panoramic high cruising! After flowing downhill fun, the challenging summit assault starts to the cult viewing peak Hansberg (850 m)! Long enjoyable descent into the Kleine Rodl valley and opposite uphill to the summit castle village Waxenberg (748 m).

Highlights:

• Bohemian Forest (Central Europe's largest forest area)


• Hansberg (cult viewing peak)


• Summit castle village Waxenberg (castle ruin, 360° panoramic viewing tower, castle)


• Overnight: In the summit castle village Waxenberg

Stage 4: Panoramic high plateau with valley side trips

From the summit castle village Waxenberg, the bike flows back into the idyllic meadow valley of the Kleine Rodl. A short forest ascent, then you stand on the last high ridge of the northern Granite land. The route leads through wide meanders down hidden valleys to Neußerling. There begins the rural panoramic high plateau, interspersed with deep forest ravines. Noble cultural cycling meets – partly tricky – biking fun in the ravines. In St. Martin im Mühlkreis, a legendary Danube valley view descent to the Danube port town Untermühl perfectly rounds off the stage.

• Highlights:


• Summit castle village Waxenberg (castle ruin, 360° panoramic viewing tower, castle)


• Pesenbachtal nature reserve (first nature reserve of the Mühlviertel) 


• St. Martin im Mühlkreis (quarry area of the famous Neuhauser granite, granite beer)


• Neuhaus Castle (granite transport – end of the field railway, start of cable railway to the Danube)


• Danube port town Untermühl (loading point for famous Neuhauser granite)


• Overnight: In the Danube port town Untermühl

Stage 5: Bikers Heaven – flank surfing between Danube current and high plateau

The grand finale! In the Danube port town Untermühl begins unique flank surfing through wonderful slope gorge forests – 3x high plateau and back. Impressive intermediate goal: the 360° panoramic viewing tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (613 m) in Kirchberg ob der Donau. In the Kleine Mühl valley follows the last flank ascent and a pleasurable farewell round over the beloved Granite (High)Land. Crowning conclusion: 7.5 km dream descent over the heart of the natural wonder Schlögener Danube loop and relaxed river biking along the Danube.

Highlights:

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


• Viewing tower „Danube on the Mountain“ (360° panoramic view, castle site)


• Obermühl on the Danube (submerged Danube village, historic salt road)


• Historic market Putzleinsdorf


• Natural wonder Schlögener Danube loop