Granite-Beer-Route: Stage 2

The summit attack from Oberkappel leads to the forest summit of the Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (Rumpf) Mountains. Congratulations! After 3.7 km of varied downhill fun, the route goes hilly to the northern end of the (Rumpf) Mountains and further uphill through gently rolling highlands. From Kohlstatt, you happily cycle – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – through a gently hilly mixed forest and meadow mosaic down to the northernmost point of the loop. The return route 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 steep valley flank, it goes to Peilstein in the Mühlviertel.

Highlights:

• Ameisberg (highest mountain in the region, observation tower)


• View of the Bohemian Forest ridge (Bohemian Forest, Central Europe's largest forest area)


• Northmost point of the Grande Bierrunde


• Tripoint Austria, Bavaria, and Czech Republic


• Julbach - The Merano of the Mühlviertel

The summit attack from Oberkappel leads to the forest summit of the Ameisberg (941 m), the highest point of the (Rumpf) Mountains. Congratulations! After 3.7 km of varied downhill fun, the route goes hilly to the northern end of the (Rumpf) Mountains and further uphill through gently rolling highlands. From Kohlstatt, you happily cycle – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – through a gently hilly mixed forest and meadow mosaic down to the northernmost point of the loop. The return begins with enjoyable mixed forest biking on the Zwischenmühl ridge. In Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel, you switch into the meadow valley of the Kleine Mühl. Over the steep valley flank, it goes to Peilstein in the Mühlviertel.

The tranquil market town of Oberkappel is the start of the summit assault (430 meters ascent) to the roof of the (Rumpf) Mountains! After Aumühle, you cycle over natural field and meadow paths and lonely farm roads past scattered farm hamlets up a ridge. With increasing altitude, the panorama opens and sweat pores increase. The high plateau of Amesedt allows welcome regeneration, then you dive into the rustic summit forest of the (Rumpf) Mountains. Short steep sections require trail skills. After a relaxed country road section, you climb the last meters through gorgeous mixed forest with tricky spots. At the foot of the forest-framed observation tower, you stand at the highest point (941 m) of the (Rumpf) Mountains and of the Granite Highlands. Congratulations! The castle-like observation tower was built in 1903 for tourist purposes. Today, the tower is irregularly accessible. A 3.7 km varied descent brings a happy smile: short trail fun in the summit forest, then an enjoyable scenic theatre opens in finest form. In Mollmannsreith, the lowest point is reached. A hilly crossing with 140 meters ascent and a brisk 2 km descent leads through lonely coniferous forests and hidden farm settlements to Kollerschlag. For the attentive: the name part “-schlag” means "clearing" and recalls the time of opening the primeval forests of the Mühlviertel. Here at the northern end of the widely visible ridge, a last height excursion starts into the (Rumpf) Mountains, a mountain loop with 150 meters ascent through shady mountain forests and farming oases. From the farm community Geretschlag, a gently rolling highland with harmonious forest-field mosaic delights. In the lonely forest above Kohlstatt, the highest point of this crossing is reached. Now you cycle in the tripoint Austria, Bavaria, and Czech Republic – with the Bohemian Forest ridge in view – full of bliss through a wonderful mixed forest-meadow mosaic gently rolling downhill to the "North Cape." At the farm Bräuerau 16, you have reached the northernmost point of this mountain bike loop. Congratulations! The return trip begins at the forest-rich Zwischenmühl ridge, the ridge between Großer Mühl and Kleine Mühl. Through refreshing coniferous forests with hidden clearings, you cycle uphill in a relaxed manner. After crossing the Bohemian Forest Golf Park (watch out for flying golf balls!), wonderful mountain mixed forest biking and a short "trail" ascent before the highest point (728 m) delight. Short forest descent, then you stand on a saddle with a beautiful view: Bohemian Forest ridge, Kleine Mühltal... Now the route shifts into the meadow-rich Kleine Mühltal. A steep asphalt road leads rapidly down to Julbach, the Merano of the Mühlviertel! Due to its south-facing basin location, the climate here is especially mild, so fruit trees thrive very well despite the high northern latitude. Tip: The Julbach Heimat Museum offers impressive insights into local life in the 19th century – learn to understand the Granite Highlands! Shortly you cycle majestically further on the valley flank, then flowing downhill fun on fast field paths in the meadow bottom of the Kleine Mühl delights. Harmony in perfection! The route leads sweat-inducingly on the opposite valley flank over Niederkraml, a challenging forest ridge (610 m), and a short intermediate descent to the historic market of Peilstein in the Mühlviertel, on a hill above the Kleine Mühl valley.