Steyrtal/Ennstal & Bad Hall - water plays the leading role
From the hills between Bad Hall and Kremsmünster, the Limestone Alps look like picturesque silhouettes in the distance. In the Alpine foothills south of Linz, the mountains are still gentle hilltops and many cycle routes run along quiet country roads from village to village. Cultural spots such as Kremsmünster Abbey and the town of Steyr stand out here. The massive monastery complex is home to a collegiate church, an important library and the observatory in the Mathematical Tower, which is considered one of the first high-rise buildings in Austria.
The historic centre of Steyr, the third largest town in Upper Austria, can be described without exaggeration as an architectural jewel with buildings from different eras. The town hall on the town square alone is considered one of the most beautiful rococo buildings in Europe. It is quite easy to take a long break from cycling here. If you set off from Steyr towards the mountains, you can choose between the cycle paths along the rivers Enns and Steyr. Both lead through idyllic valleys to the Kalkalpen National Park.
A detour from the Enns Valley to the Hintergebirgsradweg R9 is a must. Nowhere else can you reach the high mountains by touring bike on such a spectacular and easy route. The Steyr is a more leisurely route into the mountains. This is because the cycle path runs for long stretches along the former route of the Steyrtal railway.
Tour 9: Ennstal cycle path R7 (92 km)
THE TOUR
If you have the time and inclination, you can of course start in Flachau in Salzburg, virtually at the source of the Enns, on a 263-kilometre cycle tour to the mouth of the Danube. But even the 92 kilometres in Upper Austria offer plenty of cycling and scenic enjoyment. Above all, the attractive route along the Kalkalpen National Park leaves a lasting impression. Not forgetting the diverse culture along the Enns, from the "Valley of the Feitelmacher" near Ternberg to the architectural masterpiece of the historic centre of Steyr.
VISUAL VALUE
Losenstein Castle One of the largest and oldest castle ruins in Upper Austria, with a fantastic view of the Enns Valley.
Suspension rope bridge in Großraming For a little adrenaline rush in between, cross the river in a swaying environment.
Ennstal National Park Centre Everything you need to know about the Kalkalpen National Park in Reichraming in the exhibition "Wunderwelt Waldwildnis".
Trattenbach Museum Village Pocket knives have been made in Ternberg since the Middle Ages.
DRIVING IN TIP
The Kirchenwirt in Großraming is not only a cosy place to sit, but also serves excellent regional cuisine.
TOUR INFO
Tour combinations Danube cycle path R1, Steyrtal cycle path R8, Hintergebirgsradweg R9, National Park Limestone Alps cycle path R31
Bike-friendly accommodation Schwechaterhof in Steyr
Tour 10: Steyrtal cycle path R8 (38 km)
THE TOUR
As an unusual start, not just for families, we recommend taking the museum railway from Steyr to Grünburg. Then cycle up the valley on tarmac roads, with a view of the Obergrünburg mountain church, past Leonstein Castle, with a detour to the themed trail "In the footsteps of the Black Counts". This refers to the once wealthy owners of the hammer mills in the region. Their wealth is impressively displayed in the Schmiedleithen open-air museum.
If you are interested in old crafts, you should take a look at the "Museum im Dorf" in Molln and the Jew's harp showrooms. At the end or start of the cycle path, the Klaus reservoir awaits with a connection to the R31 Kalkalpen National Park cycle path.
VISUAL VALUE
Knife museum in Steinbach The history of the knifemakers and bladesmiths in a house directly on the River Steyr.
Molln National Park Centre Tips and information about the Kalkalpen National Park in a modern, multifunctional atrium building.
Frauenstein pilgrimage church Small church on a 500 metre high hill above the Steyr, with a famous protective mantle Madonna.
Rinnerberg Gorge Exciting hike near Leonstein to the Rinnerberg waterfall and on to the gorge of the same name.
Schmiedleithen open-air museum Well-preserved manor houses, gardens, smithies and servants' quarters of the "Black Counts".
DRIVING IN TIPS
Café Rafaela in Grünburg near the museum railway station, Leonsteiner Hof in Leonstein, Landgasthaus Steiner-Kraml in Molln, Gasthaus Seeblick am Stausee in Klaus.
TOUR INFO
Tour combinations Ennstal cycle path R7, Kremstal cycle path R10, Voralpen cycle path R12, National Park Limestone Alps cycle path R31
Bike-friendly accommodation Sandner Linde Inn in Steinbach an der Steyr
Tour 11: Messererweg and cycle path 4 "Kultour" (35 km/21 km)
THE TOURS
The name Messererweg (35 km) already suggests it: From Bad Hall, the trail leads into the "land of hammers" in the middle Steyrtal valley to Grünburg and Steinbach. This used to be the centre of the Messerer and other craftsmen, with water wheels driving the hammers and grinders.
The "Cycle Route 4 Kultour" (21 km) connects the cultural highlights around Bad Hall and Kremsmünster. These primarily include Kremsmünster Abbey with its precious collections and observatory, the spa facilities in Bad Hall and Kremsegg Castle.
VISUAL VALUE
Kremsmünster Abbey Large Benedictine monastery with valuable art collections, a huge library and an impressive collegiate church.
Bad Hall spa gardens A 35-hectare park dating from the 19th century, centred around the Tassilo Spring and the Gradier Grotto.
Rococo church Pfarrkirchen The church is considered the most beautiful rococo village building in Austria.
Forum Hall Three museums under one roof with a local history centre, craftsmen's museum and unique collection of front doors.
DRIVING IN TIPS
Gasthof König in Kremsmünster, Gasthof Hametner in Bad Hall, Gasthaus Hohe Linde in Waldneukirchen.
TOUR INFO
Tour combinations Kremstal cycle path R10, Steyrtal cycle path R8, Voralpenradweg R12
Bike-friendly accommodation Parkhotel Zur Klause in Bad Hall
E-BIKE TIPS
The following cycle routes Ennstalradweg R7, Steyrtalradweg R8, Messererweg and the cycle route R4 "Kultour" can all be easily travelled by e-bike. There are e-bike hire stations in Steyr, Reichraming and Grünburg as well as at the Bad Hall tourist office.
Guided e-bike tours in the Enns Valley, Steyr Valley and in the Kalkalpen National Park with different themes and levels of difficulty organised from April to October E-mobility in Steyr...
About 20 day tours around Bad Hall and Kremsmünster for bikes and e-bikes with an overview map, route details and GPS data to download can be found at the web address www.badhall.at.
More info can be found here:
