R1.13 Alpenblick loop

Machland plain and high-altitude cycling? This cycling loop lets you experience the fascination of the Machland plain and surprises with a little-known facet – a breathtaking high-altitude cycling tour over the roof of the plain! The starting point is Mitterkirchen in the heart of the extensive Machland plain. From the rural market, you cycle out on a lightly trafficked main road to the Wallsee-Mitterkirchen Danube power plant. There begins top-class river cycling: On the embankment, you follow the legendary Danube cycling path towpath upstream along the mighty mythic Danube River. Primeval floodplain forests line the way and recall the time when the ancient Danube with numerous side arms created today's plain.

You leave the Danube through its riparian forests at the height of the Straß farmstead and cross the wide Machland plain on rural side roads. Large wheat, corn, and vegetable fields testify to fertility, beautiful farms to lively tradition. Near the town of Perg, the strictly regulated Naarn River catches the eye: a historic floating channel for transporting firewood to the metropolises of Vienna and Budapest. The edge of the plain is reached at the picturesque Auhof Castle (private property: no entry!). Now begins the 11 km long and 250-meter high climb to the roof of the plain! After a short, steep forest step, you cycle gently uphill on farm roads past Pergkirchen to the village of Dörfl. A short downhill fun into the Kropfmühlbach valley allows for recovery. Then it gets intense: a long, tiered mountain ridge leads sweat-dripping through rustic Mühlviertler cultural landscape up to Münzbach. The beautiful monastery village towers prominently in a terrain saddle and invites you to refresh at the drinking fountain in the village square. Congratulations, the worst is over!

After a few meters of altitude, you find yourself on the impressive roof of the Machland plain: full of happiness, you cycle the gentle ups and downs of the airy, rural high ridge. To the south, the view over the Machland plain to the Alps; to the north, the Mühlviertler hill sea ... pure king-of-the-world feeling! From the village of Fleck, a 2.5 km panoramic descent rounds off the intense altitude experience. In the Grafschaft oak mixed woods of the Gauninger Wood, a longer gravel road section connects you to nature, then a long avenue of oaks surprises with a noble flair. The associated manor? The imposing Clam Castle is just around the corner. A true castle gem! Fully furnished and inhabited by the Clam family since 1454, it offers an unusually personal access to history. Definitely worth a visit!

From the historic Clam castle market, the loop leads over quiet farm roads in a larger arc first uphill, then down through the forest valley of the Saxner Bach to the Machland plain, to Saxen. After the exertions of the climb, you cycle out comfortably in the ancient cultural landscape of the plain. Flood marks and protection structures recall the dangers of life in the floodplain. The short detour to the open-air museum Celtic village Mitterkirchen offers an impressive insight into the cultivation of the plain. Machland plain and high-altitude cycling? An unexpected cycling highlight!