R1.06 Penzenstein route

Located in the deep gorge of the Upper Danube valley – at the Ranna mouth into the Danube – the secluded Rannamühl is the starting point for this magnificent summit bike ride. Initially, you warm up cycling downstream along the broad Danube on quiet side roads. About 1.7 km after Niederranna, the 550-meter elevation summit ascent begins! The first third leads in shady mixed forest in switchbacks through the steep flank of the Danube narrow valley. At the mystical Marsbach castle, once a feared robber knights’ nest, the hardest section is done.

You continue higher through the narrow Marsbach gorge, then the landscape opens up – a first sense of altitude provides a welcome feeling of success. Now lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farm hamlets, small woods ... pure Mühlviertel rural idyll delight you! Over gentle farm roads, you climb to the ridge at Emmerstorf. Here, a first view opens onto the village of Hofkirchen in the center of a rolling high plateau. A hidden paradise is the first thought. The relaxed riding with gentle ups and downs to the village allows regeneration. In the charming village center, the large parish church, townhouses, village fountain, pillory ... tell of a long market history. A highlight: The plant labyrinth just above the village. An ancient power place staged symbolically and surprising with its sublime view!

Over a natural dirt road – partly steeper – you reach the next terrain balcony. There you ride relaxed on farm roads towards Hamet. The final climb leads through ancient mixed mountain forest to the panoramic view village of Pfarrkirchen. At the forest edge above the parish church is the “summit” – a magnificent panoramic viewpoint (840 m). Congratulations, you are standing at the highest point of all Danube bike rounds! Wonderful deep views let you feel the altitude and dreamlike Alpine views show boundless vastness. Simply breathtaking! Another reward: 2.3 km of pure downhill fun – rushing through natural mountain forest interspersed with magnificent distant views! The remaining 5.4 km downhill to Oberkappel offer with four small climbs enjoyable scenic highlights.

In the bourgeois market town Oberkappel, a short visit to the market square ensemble resembling a town square is worth it. After crossing the Ranna river, the last big ascent begins: you cycle about 3 km, partly steeper, uphill. Natural mountain forest sections direct your gaze inward, rural cultivated land gives a sense of altitude. Almost over the mountain you reach the rural village Neustift. After a short descent into the Stöcklbach gorge, a shady forest ascent follows to the Bavarian border. Congratulations! Now you are on the gentle landscape balcony of Pühret directly above the Danube gorge. Through rural cultivated landscape, you ride pleasantly down the long, slightly rolling ridge. The final highlight: The short detour to the legendary viewpoint Penzenstein with a magnificent deep view to the Danube and to Engelhartszell with its famous monastery! Shortly after the village, the fast forest descent begins, past Rannariedl castle, through the steep flank of the Danube narrow valley. Once at the Danube shore, you cycle downstream along the broad mythic river on the legendary towpath. A magnificent summit bike ride with plenty of scenic impressions!