A hilly idyll — Austria’s Mühlviertel Cycle Path

In Upper Austria on the left bank of the Danube between Bohemia, Lower Austria and Bavaria, lies the Mühlviertel. Gentle hills, romantic villages, small farms, forests and meadows are typical for this region. As it’s sparsely populated, it’s a dream for cycling off the beaten track.

The Mühlviertel Cycle Path is ideal for exploring this idyllic and unspoilt region. The 240-kilometre (149 mi) route is hilly with over 4,200 metres (13,780 ft) of elevation gain. It takes you along the northern border of the Mühlviertel from Niederranna near Engelhartszell on the Danube to Grein, which also lies on the Danube.

The Mühlviertel Cycle Path is an alternative to the Danube Cycle Path if you want to challenge yourself. It’s also very well suited for a road bike adventure, as it’s superbly asphalted almost throughout. Between the villages and hills there are many fantastic sights to discover, such as the Mühlviertel farms with their characteristic stone-block facades or small, peaceful lakes.

In preparation for your trip, I recommend booking your accommodation in good time. Getting to Niederranna by public transport is difficult; it's best to start in Passau (an extra 30 kilometres (18 mi) by bike) or from Linz (65 km/40 mi), both along the Danube Cycle Path. Or you can choose one of the many cycle tour operators who have the Danube Cycle Path in their programme; for a small fee you can have yourself and your bike transported to Engelhartszell.