Granittrail 2nd stage: Langschlag - Gutenbrunn

Popis

As part of the Lower Austria Alpine tour, the Granittrail runs over a length of 157 kilometers and around 3,020 meters of altitude in 3 stages from the Waldviertel to the Danube, from the Czech border at Gmünd via Groß Gerungs, Bärnkopf, Gutenbrunn, and Altenmarkt to Persenbeug and Ybbs/Danube.

There are people who complete the entire route in ONE day – as training for a cycling marathon, for example. For normal cyclists, the Granittrail cannot be accomplished in one go, at best in two parts, but ideally leisurely in three stages with an overnight stay in the truly recommended accommodations mentioned.

Výchozí bod trasy

Langschlag

Cílový bod trasy

Gutenbrunn

Popis trasy Granittrail 2nd stage: Langschlag - Gutenbrunn

From the country road, we turn left onto Stierberg, where we pass by open fields at Kamelstein and the so-called Opferstein. Over Kasberg to Thail and via Wiesmühle to Groß Gerungs. The first approx. 60 km of the Granittrail are done.

It continues in Groß Gerungs, located in the middle of the Kraftarena and its five special power spots, home of the cardiovascular center known for its expertise. After a short downhill through the forest, we go via Hypolz and along the Zwettl through quiet forest and meadow terrain towards the sun. After Freitzenschlag, we reach Kottingnondorf. With evenly loose pedaling, we glide over the gently rolling plateau, interspersed with golden-brown fields, deep green forest patches, and colorful meadows. There is a very pleasant change between asphalt, field, and small forest paths. It is never exhausting, but never really relaxing either! Noticeable are the many small shrines marking the path like buoys in the sea of hills. As soon as we reach Kamp, the ruin of Arbesbach, the small but fine market town in the granite region, rises far ahead. Slightly off the road, ultimately on it, we approach it up to its foundations. The widely visible "Stockzahn des Waldviertels" (stock tooth of the Waldviertel), as the ruin is often called, rises 18 m high on a granite tower.

Immediately after the ruin, it goes with a short downhill back into the greenery. It's worth stopping now and then to look back and enjoy the wonderful view of Arbesbach and its ruin once more. After Altmelon, another decent downhill awaits us, or better said a "downwood," where the roots and stones rattle so that the brakes glow and the downhill rider's heart laughs. Not enough, now follows one of those impressive passages from which the trail gets its name. On the way to the "Luaga Luckn," granite blocks lie scattered as if thrown around. Moss-covered, flushed by streams, overgrown with ferns, the round stones sometimes tower house-high above our heads. About 300 million years ago, a mountain range is said to have risen here before wind and weather destroyed it.

A forest road now leads us around the Wachtberg before it starts an eternal long uphill. Distraction is provided by an idyllic mountain lake with a hut, boats, and campfire place. After the lake, it continues uphill to just below Hengstberg and the Große Föhrenscheibe, where the houses of Bärnkopf already shimmer between the trees. With this highest community of Waldviertel at the foot of the Weinsberg (at 1041 m one of the highest elevations in this country), the goal of the second almost stage is reached. We let the view wander over the Weinsberger Wald, the largest contiguous forest area in Austria, and drive past the very idyllic Stifter Teich downhill to Edlesberger Teich. After that, the landscape loses the gloominess of the forest and gains in width and brightness as we pass the sun-flooded fields of Martinsberg and Gutenbrunn. Here we stop at one of the local inns and let the day end comfortably.