R1.05 Sauwald Panorama Route
4040 Linz
"Sauwald – Cycling with grandeur and Alpine views"
Recommended season:
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Loop
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Geological highlights
Great highland cycling route over the rural Sauwald high plateau. The rugged highland south of the Upper Danube valley fascinates with mystical forests, a mosaic of fields and meadows, traditional farm hamlets, rolling landscape … and seemingly endless views. The first half leads through hilly landscape, the second over a panoramic high ridge.
Highlights:
- WaldEntdeckerWelt with the Treetop Path in Kopfing (world's longest treetop path, nature experience world)
- Meditation pyramid on the Etzinger hill (architectural highlight, Alpine view)
- Sauwald Panorama Road (staged panoramic viewpoints)
- IKUNA Nature Resort and Nature Adventure Park
- Four-quarters View (panoramic view over the four quarters of Upper Austria)
A great starting point for this varied cycle route across the Sauwald high plateau is the WaldEntdeckerWelt in Kopfing. Situated on a forest hill, the unusual perspective from the treetops lets you experience the vastness and beauty of the high plateau. Simply breathtaking! From the forest hill, you cycle down farmer’s roads into the charming elevated village of Kopfing – a typical clustered village of Sauwald! In the harsh climate, the land had to provide food; considerations about village appearance were secondary.
On Kopfing street, you climb hilly towards Entholz. Shortly after, you enter the mystical forests of Sauwald. Almost flat forest paths lead through magnificent mixed forest past the legendary Jungfraustein – a rocking stone and ancient cult site! Here you can atmospherically trace the original (Sau)wald landscape. Afterwards, you cycle leisurely on lonely side roads gently downhill through the extensive Hörzinger forest, softly hilly. Rural oases amid the forest sea recall the strenuous land cultivation. Towards the valley, lush meadows, fertile fields, scattered farms, and small woods dominate the route – pure Sauwald countryside idyll!
From Reiting, 2 km of a brisk descent to Natternbach provide a speed rush. The pleasant market town – also a clustered village – played a key role in the Upper Austrian Peasants’ War. The high elevation and beauty of Sauwald explain the proud self-consciousness of the locals. A short ascent to a plateau, then through a mosaic of fields to Neukirchen am Walde. The archetypal marketplace tells of historical importance; the former Spättenbrunn castle of medieval lordship. From the plateau, a 2.4 km delighting descent leads down to Willing, the lowest point (391 m) of the route! Through the steep forest gorge of the forest stream, the road quickly climbs opposite. In Hofstetten, the toughest part is done: you cycle gently hilly over lonely farmland – partly along natural field paths – upwards to the elevated village of St. Agatha.
Now begins the sublime ride over the roof of Sauwald! On gentle agricultural roads, you cycle over a hilly panoramic high ridge. A magnificent start is the imposing Etzinger meditation pyramid (642 m). Congratulations, you are at the highest point of the route! Afterwards, wonderful Sauwald farmland and breathtaking wide views into the Mühlviertel, over the Alpine foothills to the Alps captivate … pure bliss! After a short gorge, you reach Waldkirchen am Wesen on the next high ridge. The Sauwald high plateau presents itself once more from its most beautiful side. A highlight: the short detour to the extraordinary Four-quarters View. The 360° panoramic view allows limitless vistas into all four quarters of Upper Austria! A short regeneration descent takes you into the Waldgraben of Sittling. Then follows a 4.5 km ascent over a mountain ridge. Idyllic Sauwald farmland enchants, with increasing height the view expands. In St. Aegidi, you stand at the highest point of the third high ridge. Congratulations! After the altitude flight, the hilly descent through hidden valley folds provides relaxation. From Voglgrub, the final climb begins, taking you through undulating farmland and picturesque (pig) woods to the WaldEntdeckerWelt. Cycling in the highlands – a real treat!
Tip:Discovery journeys with a delightful stopover! This route passes directly by the following culinary partners:
Safety guidelines:
The majority of this highland cycling route uses quiet (side) streets and paved agricultural roads. In the Jungfraustein area, the route goes 1.5 km and before the WaldEntdeckerWelt 800 m over forest paths. Natural field paths are present before Hofstetten (600 m) and around Hausleithen (900 m, 800 m). Therefore, this route is hardly suitable for racing bikes. Basic gear shifting skills are advantageous for the uphill sections. Basic braking skills are necessary for the downhill sections.
Signposting:
To make orientation easier, the Danube cycling rounds have been marked with their own cycling navigation system. This route follows the signage "R1.05 Sauwald Panorama Route".
Paths covering:
further information:
- Circular route
- Board possible
Trade in automobiles;
Trade in tyres;
Trade in motor vehicle components,
motor vehicle technology
Hearty breakfast daily, beautifully served!
There is a new rest area with an e-bike charging station along the Sauwald Panorama-Runde R1.05 near the Litzlbauer "Wirt in Tal" inn, right next to the fire station of the Tal fire brigade.
Feel the pleasant atmosphere of our house. There is also a sunny guest garden.
We are a family-run business with 20 beds (comfort rooms), a dining room that seats up to 60 people, 2 adjoining rooms that accommodate 25–60 people, a hall that seats up to 300 people, and an outdoor dining area that seats up to 60 people.
Our wine cellar is particularly worth mentioning. We offer guided wine tastings of all kinds (Sommelier Maria Grüneis-Wasner).
We serve traditional Austrian cuisine, seasonal dishes, and game dishes almost year-round (awarded a plaque for excellent game dishes by the State Hunting Association) sourced from local hunting grounds.
A paradise for adventurers
Over 100 play stations on 200.000 square meter
Get the IKUNA feeling! What does it feel like? Little adventurers can really let off steam in the middle of nature, learn sustainably and give free rein to their creativity. But there is also something for big adventurers. Mom, dad or grandma and grandpa can also participate in many stations or relax comfortably on our loungers. And you always have the play stations and the kids in sight. Everything at a glance. Speaking of overview - you can also get it with the help of the following adventure map: https://ikuna.at/en
Opel dealer, self-service petrol station 5-24 including car wash, ÖAMTC towing service, body shop, accident and used car parts;
"JUNGFRAUSTEIN"
The "Jungfraustein" is an interesting historical natural monument. The two mighty Wacker stones have been shaped by the weather in such a way that the upper stone can be moved effortlessly with one hand, but its position cannot be changed even with great effort.
According to legend, three giant maidens brought the stones here in their aprons. In Celtic and Germanic times, the stone structure is said to have served as a place of worship. The Roman road passes not far from the Jungfrau stone. The Romans probably used this high route to bypass the then still marshy Natternbach valley basin on their way to the Danube.
Until 1779 - when the Innviertel region became part of Austria - the Roman road was part of the border between Austria and Bavaria. Today it still forms the border between the Innviertel and the Hausruckviertel as well as between the districts of Schärding and Grieskirchen. In the immediate vicinity of the Jungfrausteine are two boundary stones from the time of the ecclesiastical manorial lordships with the dates 1691 and 1731 respectively. The lordship of Vichtenstein extended into the parish of Natternbach.
Our family-run Gasthof Kirchenwirt (the Kramer family) is located right in the heart of the Innviertel!
For over 125 years, we’ve been treating our guests to warm hospitality and, above all, regional, down-to-earth cuisine.
We take special care to ensure that guests of all ages feel at home with us, and we look forward to welcoming every guest who walks through our doors.
The chef will spoil you with hearty home cooking and culinary specialities. For your events, we offer a barrier-free hall (divisible) with up to 220 seats. A stage with professional sound equipment is available for musical accompaniment. An e-charging station for cars and bicycles is also available. Generous parking areas, bus parking spaces and garage spaces for motorbikes are available.
The following delicacies await you at our cider tavern:
- Roast pork
- Roast pork
- Bacon
- Jellied meat
- Potato cheese
- Cooked cheese
- Curd cheese
- Meatloaf
- Homemade pastries
The Postwirt is located directly on the market square in Neukirchen am Walde.
The restaurant is popular with young and old alike. Several regulars' tables (male, female and mixed), which meet several times a month, also liven up the atmosphere
The chef takes care of the home-style cooking with classics, home cooking, vegetarian dishes, hearty snacks, pizza, various burgers, burritos and catering.Milena is responsible for the service with Czech charm and wit.
THURSDAY and FRIDAY LUNCH BUFFET
Info: Gemeindeamt St. Agatha
Tel.: +43 (0) 72 77 / 82 55-20
Wertvolle Kulturlandschaft…
Das Wechselspiel von naturnahen Bächen, Tobeln, Waldungen, landwirtschaftlichen Nutzflächen und Siedlungen sorgt für ein recht harmonisches Landschaftsbild im Sauwald. Die Hochlagen sind wichtige direkte Sichtverbindungen zu angrenzenden Landschaften wie dem Mühlviertel oder dem Donautal. Der Kulturlandschaftscharakter wird durch Dörfer, Weiler und Einzelgehöfte, kleine Hügel und Senken sowie große und kleine Bacheinschnitte geprägt. Diese Besonderheit des Sauwaldes gilt es zu erhalten – etwa die Sicherung und Entwicklung von Strukturelementen wie Feldgehölzen, Einzelbäumen, Hecken, Hohlwegen, Lesesteinhaufen und Wällen. Sie erfreuen nicht nur unser Auge, sondern sind wichtige Lebensräume für eine Vielzahl von Pflanzen und Tieren.
Der Schnaps - weithin bekannt als echtes Teufelszeug - geht angeblich wirklich auf den Leibhaftigen zurück. In "Der Teufel braut Schnaps" wird von der Enstehung des hochprozentigen Trunkes erzählt.
Information: Gemeindeamt
Tel.: +43 (0) 77 18 / 72 55-11 od. 12
Donauschlucht und kleine Täler…
Der Sauwald und die Donauschlucht sind über kleinere Gewässer eng verbunden. Ein weitläufiges Netz kleinerer Fließgewässer durchzieht den Sauwald. Zu einem großen Teil sind diese noch als sehr naturnah zu bezeichnen. Ein gewundener Verlauf, gehölzbestockte Ufer und vielfältige Bett- und Sohlstruktur sorgen für ein natürliches Erscheinungsbild. Die Gewässergüte hat sich in den letzten Jahren erheblich verbessert. Leider ist die Belastung der Gewässer durch Schadstoffeinträge dennoch so hoch, dass gewisse Tierarten wie Krebse, Steinfliegen und Flussperlmuschel – ursprünglich in diesen Gewässern heimisch - nicht bestehen können. Die Gewässer am Nordrand des Sauwaldes entwässern direkt in die Donau, manche von ihnen haben sich wildromantische Talschluchten geschaffen.
Zwischen Wesenufer und Schlögen, wo sich heute Felder ausbreiten, war früher eine reiche, prunkvolle Stadt. "Die Stadt, die unterging" riss auch ihre Bewohner mit sich - warum? Das weiß die Donau-Sage.
Located in the middle of the forest, it invites you to linger, relax and regenerate. At the Waldgasthof Oachkatzl we will spoil you with numerous homemade and regional delicacies.
For the annual Forest Christmas at the treetop path, the Waldgasthof invites you to warm up afterwards and spend many cosy hours!
The Litzlbauer inn, the "innkeeper in the valley", is a family-run inn in a quiet location close to the forest with a cosy restaurant and a shady garden with a children's playground. The inn is also the starting point of the cross-country skiing trail and offers refreshments on numerous hikes.
The inn (Wirtin 'z Atzersdorf) is located directly on the hiking trails (Donausteig, Donausteigrunde, ..........) and about 400 m away from the viewpoint/rest area 4/4-Blick.
Public Transit
How to arrive in the Upper Austria Danube region?
The fastest way to your destination – by train, bus, car, ship, or airplane.
- 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
