Baroque towns and green meadows
The Innviertel is the youngest district in Upper Austria. Around 250 years ago, it still belonged to neighbouring Bavaria, and you can't help but get the impression that there is still something of the original Bavarian character in the Inn's genes. The relationship to Bavaria is evident in the love of beer, among other things. Many breweries, from the smallest wheat beer brewery in the world to the large monastery brewery, cultivate their beer specialities. And several cityscapes are dominated by baroque house ensembles, which are also typical of the Inn in Bavaria.
However, the Innviertel also has some interesting scenery to offer. For example the Ibmer Moor, the largest contiguous moorland landscape in Austria near the state border with Salzburg. Not forgetting the green alluvial forests in the Lower Inn European nature reserve, a real insider tip for nature lovers. And the region's highlight cycle route, the Inn Cycle Route R3 between Braunau, Obernberg, Schärding and Passau, runs right through the middle.
On long stretches, you can choose whether to roll along on the Austrian or Bavarian side, and even organise a circular tour if you wish. If you have developed a taste for the Innviertel, you should memorise the abbreviations R21 to R25. These are designations for interesting routes through quiet river valleys and gently rolling hills, such as the Pramtalradweg, Antiesenweg and Mattigtalradweg.
Tour 7: Inn Cycle Path R3 (63 km)
THE TOUR
Cycling along the river is the ideal combination of culture, sport and enjoyment. This certainly applies to the Inn Cycle Path from Braunau to Passau. In the Bavarian-Upper Austrian border region, the route not only takes you through the natural landscape of the alluvial forests in the 5,500-hectare Lower Inn European nature reserve, but also through several historic towns that once lived from the salt trade. The first stop is Braunau with its historic town centre, followed by Austria's most beautiful market square in Obernberg and the Obernberg Castle art gallery.
The Augustinian monastery of Reichersberg, the spiritual centre of the region, is also worth a stopover. The baroque monastery complex is impressively situated on a terrace high above the River Inn. Another highlight is the baroque town of Schärding with its magnificent facades. A TIPThe Inn cycle path runs along both banks of the river for long stretches, allowing for an extensive circular tour between Schärding and Burghausen.
VISUAL VALUE
Braunau First take a look at the old town - from the viewing platform on the church tower.
Schärding The highlight of the baroque town is the Silberzeile, the impressive ensemble of houses on the Upper Town Square.
Obernberg The market square with its rococo stucco façades takes centre stage.
Reichersberg Historic Augustinian monastery complex with baroque architecture.
DRIVING IN TIP
The traditional Wirtshaus zur Bums'n in the Denisgasse in Schärding. In a rustic and cosy inn atmosphere, you can enjoy a hearty meal and usually a tasty beer to go with it - inside in the restaurant in the old vaults and outside in the courtyard or in the pub garden.
TOUR INFO
Tour combinations Danube cycle path R1, Mattigtal cycle path R24, Roman cycle path R6, Pramtal cycle path R21, Antiesen cycle path R23, Apple cycle path, Rottal cycle path
Bike-friendly accommodation City Hotel Schärding
Tour 8: Three-city tour (86 km)
THE TOUR
In Braunau we leave the Inn Valley in the direction of Dietfurt. There you meet the Mattigtal cycle path R24, which runs partly along the Mattig river via St. Georgen, Burgkirchen and Helpfau-Uttendorf to Mattighofen. From there, the R200 leads over hill and dale through a rural landscape.
After views of the Alpine chain, the route descends to Ibm and heads north on the R25 towards Hochburg. The route crosses the old Salzach bridge to Burghausen in Bavaria. From there, the route turns onto the well-developed Tauern cycle path along the banks of the Salzach and later the Inn, taking cyclists through the river landscape of the Lower Inn European Nature Reserve to Ranshofen and back to Braunau.
VISUAL VALUE
Braunau The old town deserves more time than just a quick coffee stop between the town hall and the city gate tower.
Mattighofen The town square, castle and parish church are the architectural highlights. The opening of the KTM two-wheeler museum is planned for autumn 2018.
Burghausen The longest castle complex in Europe alone deserves the short detour across the Inn bridge to Bavaria.
DRIVING IN TIP
Waldgasthaus Naturfreunde in Ach. Simple, good inn in a quiet location with the best view of Burghausen and its famous castle.
TOUR INFO
Tour combinations Inn Cycle Route R3, Mattigtal Cycle Route R24, Roman Cycle Route R6, Salt Trade Route, Moorland Lake Tour R202, Pleasure Cycle Tour R201
Bike-friendly accommodation
Altstadthotel Mayrbräu in Braunau
E-BIKE TIPS
A special recommendation for pedelec riders is the Sauwald e-bike tour (52 km) - from the Pramtaler Knödelweg to the Baumkronenweg through the hilly region of the Innviertel. The tour starts in Andorf and is easily accessible from Schärding via the R21 cycle path. Info under www.tourismus-andorf.at.
Another tip is the R201 pleasure cycle tour on the Braunau-Mattighofen-Eggelsberg-Braunau route, covering 83 kilometres. This tour connects the various inns of the "Innwirtler". The tour can also be ridden as the "Braunauer Runde" (40 km) and the "Mattighofener Runde" (58 km), as there is a connecting route from Neukirchen to Uttendorf. Further information about the tour can be found at www.tourismus-braunau.at.
