R1.08 Danube-Granite Loop
4040 Linz
"Of Danube waves, granite, and hops"
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Loop
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Geological highlights
- Botanical highlights
A mountainous bike loop from the Upper Danube Valley up to Kirchberg ob der Donau to the 360° panoramic observation tower "Danube on the Mountain" (613 m). Then follows leisure cycling over the hilly Mühlviertel granite highland: majestic vistas, rural cultural landscapes, hidden granite quarries... Cultural highlights: Neuhauser Granite (art), beer.
Highlights:
- Observation tower "Danube on the Mountain" (360° panoramic view, castle site)
- Granite Experience World (discover the fascination of granite)
- Neuhaus Castle / St. Martin
The Upper Danube Valley – One of the longest breakthrough valleys of the Danube with over 90 km (!). The starting point for this attractive granite highland loop is in a very quiet section of this deep narrow valley – in the port town of Untermühl. Today inconspicuous, it was once significant: a supply point for Danube shipping, loading port for the famous Neuhauser Granite...! After crossing the Große Mühl river mouth, the 300-meter altitude ascent begins onto the plateau of the Mühlviertel granite highland. In the natural mixed forest on the steep valley slope, it climbs in switchbacks on a quiet district road. The rural cultural landscape makes the steepness more gentle. In the neat hill village Kirchberg ob der Donau, you have made it. Congratulations! The surprising highlight: the magnificent 360° panoramic view from the observation tower "Danube on the Mountain" (613 m) – 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 from the Danube stream.
Now leisure cycling begins in the rhythm of the hilly Mühlviertel granite highland: meadows, fields, orchards, small farming hamlets, groves... pure rural idyll! On the way to Altenfelden, the plateau appears visually limited and secluded. You cycle over farm roads and a short forest/field path down to the lonely farmstead Hötzendorfer. On a rural district road, you climb uphill after Unteredt until you reach the market town of Altenfelden, located on a gentle ridge after a shady mixed forest. Congratulations, you are at the second highest point of the loop! The historic market town was once established as a church village (= church in the center), therefore it lacks a classic marketplace. At the village outskirts, the elevated location becomes apparent: the fantastic panoramic view deep into the hinterland of the plain conveys a sense of vastness! After a short detour into the settlement area of Neufelden, you cycle on the bike path beside the busy Rohrbacher street over the long Mühltal bridge. From Apfelsbach, you go through cultivated farmland over a gentle landscape ridge into the rural village of Kleinzell.
Further along, the Resilacke awaits at the village edge: an abandoned granite quarry now serving as an idyllic natural swimming area – a secret tip! In this environment, you also discover some of the well-known Mühlviertel hop gardens. The short descent into the hidden forest valley of the Diesenbach creek requires a short uphill ride on the opposite slope as well. In the granite village Plöcking, another highlight awaits: the Granite Experience World! This offers exciting insights into the uniqueness of the granite region. The famous Neuhauser Granite is, by the way, mined here in the vicinity. Through atmospheric farmland, up and down the hills, with majestic views... and passing Austria's oldest brewery, the Hofstetten Brewery, you reach St. Martin in the Mühlkreis. The charming village center tells of proud tradition and modern everyday life. The special feature of the village, however, only reveals itself with the knowledge of its history: a support point on the salt route to Bohemia! Tip: In the parish church, an intricate net rib vault made of Neuhauser Granite captivates. A brisk descent with two short uphill sections brings you down to the magnificent Neuhaus Castle. Then you dive back into the rustic gorge forest of the Danube narrow valley and shortly thereafter you are at the starting place. Of Danube waves, granite, and hops!
Tip:Explorations with a delightful stopover! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner:
- Hofstetten Brewery
The main part of this granite highland loop uses quiet, paved (secondary) roads and farm roads. The few sections along busier roads have separate, wide bike paths. Three sections – each between 300 - 400 m – run over natural forest/field paths. Basic shifting skills are advantageous for the long uphill ride. Basic braking technique is necessary for the long descent.
Signage:
To make orientation easier, the Danube bike loops have been marked with their own bike guidance system. This loop follows the signage "R1.08 Danube-Granite Loop".
Paths covering:
further information:
- Flatly
- Board possible
Public Transit
How to get to the Danube Region of Upper Austria?
The quick way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship, or plane.
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
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1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
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We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.
Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.
The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.
The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.
The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.
3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
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