Border crossing in the Mühlviertel
Sporty touring cyclists will also feel in their element on the Grenzlandradweg. At its starting point in Kramesau, it crosses the Danube Cycle Path and demands a good level of fitness on the first stage to Neustift, as it leads from the Danube valley up into the highlands of the Mühlviertel. In the Bohemian Forest, you cycle for kilometres in the border region with the Czech Republic, reaching interesting places such as Aigen-Schlägl with its canon monastery and Schwarzenberg with its wooden sculpture park.
Character:
The Grenzlandradweg is largely asphalted and is signposted R5 on field and forest paths as well as quiet country roads. The topography is quite hilly and there are some steep climbs. For this reason, the route is only recommended for older children aged 12 and over.
Tour dates:
194 km, 970 m elevation gain, medium (easy to manage in 3 to 4 day stages)
Route:
Kramesau an der Donau - Oberkappel - Kollerschlag - Ulrichsberg - Aigen im Mühlkreis - Vorderweißenbach - Bad Leonfelden - Schenkenfelden - Leopoldschlag - Liebenau - Arbesbach Connection options in Aigen to the R26, the Mühltal cycle path, and in Liebenau to the R32, the Mühlviertel cycle path - both cycle paths join the Danube cycle path.
E-bike:
Rental from the Böhmerwald holiday region information office in Aigen-Schlägl (15 euros/day) as well as in Haslach, Nebelberg, Schwarzenberg and Ulrichsberg. Further information at http://www.radfahren.at
Best time to travel: May to September
Journey:
The starting point can be reached by train via Passau. http://www.oebb.at
Railway Cyclists' Hotline on 01805/99 66 33 (14 ct/min. from landlines, max. rate for mobile phones 42 ct/min.).
Bike service:
Bike hire and repair facilities can be found in the larger towns, such as Aigen and Liebenau.
Cycling hotels:
Renowned hosts include Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Bad Leonfelden, http://www.falkensteiner.com/de/hotel/bad-leonfelden
Bärnsteinhof in Aigen, http://www.baernsteinhof.at
Pension Mühlblick in Ulrichsberg, http://www.pension-muehlblick.at
Further addresses under http://www.boehmerwald.at
Maps/literature:
Two-part Kompass map set no. 202 "Mühlviertel" 1:50,000 for 10 euros.
Information (general):
Böhmerwald holiday region, Hauptstraße 2, A-4160 Aigen im Mühlkreis, Tel. 0043-7281/20065, http://www.boehmerwald.at
Upper Austria Tourism, Freistädter Straße 119, A-4041 Linz, Tel. 0043-732/7277-100, Fax 0043-732/7277-130, http://www.oberoesterreich.at
Internet:
http://www.radfahren.at (Basic information about cycling in Upper Austria)
