Granite Beer Route: Complete tour

Stage 1: Flank surfing in the Danube valley & summit assault to the panoramic viewpoint village Pfarrkirchen

In the deep Danube gorge begins unique flank surfing through magnificent hillside gorge forests – 3x high plateau and return. Impressive intermediate goal: the 360° panoramic observation tower “Danube on the Mountain” (613 m) in Kirchberg ob der Donau. Then a trip over the rural granite (high)land with a challenging climb and a 7.5 km dream descent through the heart of the natural wonder Schlögener Danube bend. After relaxed Danube cycling, you bike to the panoramic viewpoint village Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (840 m), on the southern peak of the (core) mountain range! Final treat: a flowing pleasure descent to Oberkappel. A magnificent start!

Highlights:

• Danube port town Untermühl (end point of the Schwarzenberg floating channel)
• Observation tower “Danube on the Mountain” (360° panoramic view, Burgstall)
• Obermühl on the Danube (sunken Danube village, historic salt road)
• European protected area Upper Danube valley & natural wonder Schlögener Danube bend
• Pfarrkirchen in the Mühlkreis (highest village in the region, panoramic viewpoint)

Stage 2: Over the highest peak of the (core) mountain range to the North Cape & back

From Oberkappel begins the summit assault to the forest peak of the Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (core) mountain range. Congratulations! After 3.7 km of varied descent fun, the route goes hilly to the northern end of the (core) mountain range and further uphill through gently rolling highland. From Kohlstatt, you happily cycle – with the Bohemian Forest ridgeline in view – through a gently rolling mixed forest-meadow mosaic down to the northernmost point of the route. The return journey begins with enjoyable mixed forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel, you switch to the meadow valley of the Kleine Mühl. Over the challenging valley flank it goes to Peilstein in the Mühlviertel.

Highlights:

• Ameisberg (highest mountain of the region, viewing tower)
• View of the Bohemian Forest ridge (Bohemian Forest, Central Europe’s largest forest area)
• Northernmost point of the Grande Beer Route
• Three-country corner Austria, Bavaria, and Czech Republic
• Julbach - the Merano of the Mühlviertel

Stage 3: Ridge biking, cross-river ridges & panoramic high plateau

Along the valley flank of the Kleine Mühl valley, varied ridge biking surprises with challenging climbs and lively descents. Over hidden hinterland hills it continues to Sarleinsbach. Two region-typical cross-river ridges now provide bike fun: the first challenging and sporty, the second pure pleasure biking. After a hearty forest climb from the Große Mühl valley, the rural panoramic high plateau delights: elevated cultural cycling meets trail fun between granite quarries. In St. Martin im Mühlkreis, a fantastic Danube valley view descent rounds off the loop perfectly to the Danube port town Untermühl. A grand finale!

Highlights:

• Neufelden (historic market square, hop gardens)
• Hidden granite quarries (quarrying area of the famous Neuhauser granite)
• Brewery Hofstetten (oldest brewery in Austria, granite beer)
• Neuhaus Castle (granite transport – end of the field railway, start of the cable railway to the Danube)
• Danube port town Untermühl (loading site of the famous Neuhauser granite)