The horse-drawn railway hiking trail between Neumarkt im Mühlkreis and Unterweitersdorf follows the original route of the horse-drawn railway. It runs away from roads through the valley of the Kleine Gusen, with historic stations and a river landscape shaped in part by its wildlife.
Horse-Drawn Railway and Experience Stations
The Stroblmühle is home to the first of ten experience stations along the horse-drawn railway hiking trail in the Kleine Gusen valley. A life-size side view of a passenger carriage is displayed there. The Stroblmühle connects the story of the historic railway with another local history: it is one of the many mills in the municipality where rye, barley or oats were once ground into dark flour.
Another experience station is located on the Burgstall Rundweg N4 trail. There, you can climb onto a mock-up of a passenger carriage and test your agility. This offers different ways to explore: the original railway route and its stations on the one hand, and an activity on the circular trail on the other.
The Kleine Gusen and Outdoor Activities
Nine rare bird species have been recorded in the Kleine Gusen valley, including hazel grouse, eagle owls and black woodpeckers. Otters, yellow-bellied toads and bullheads are also found there. Downstream from the Stroblmühle, the Kleine Gusen flows in tighter meanders between large granite boulders and a natural riverside strip. The wildlife observations and the river landscape described here offer different perspectives: one focuses on the valley’s wildlife, the other on the course of the river below the mill.
For fishing enthusiasts, angling in the Natura 2000 protected area in the Gusental Valley near Neumarkt is considered a special experience. Day permits for visitors are available at the Försterteich and Neumarkter Teich ponds. Horseback riding is another local option: Neumarkt has well-marked trails and reliable riding horses. These activities let you experience the landscape in different ways, either while fishing or on horseback.
Building Culture and Local History
The numerous Stoabloß farmsteads in Neumarkt im Mühlkreis are among the distinctive rural building styles. The term refers to farmsteads and rural buildings with façades of exposed granite stones, with only a little lime mortar between them. The visible interplay of stone and mortar makes this building style a tangible feature of the region’s architecture.
The parish church of St. James also preserves a link to the past: frescoes dating from 1350 were uncovered during its restoration in 1988. The dates mark two different points in time—the creation of the frescoes and their discovery during later restoration work.
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Two charging stations in the town centre are available for free e-bike charging. If you’re travelling by e-bike, this is a convenient place to charge in the centre. For a meal, Wirt z'Trosselsdorf serves home-produced cider and traditional snacks, including Mostbratl, Brettljause and Ziagalkas. Check the latest opening details before your visit.
Neumarkt im Mühlkreis offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: the horse-drawn railway hiking trail combines a historic route with experience stations, the Kleine Gusen is known for its river landscape and wildlife, and the Stoabloß farmsteads and church offer insights into building culture and local history. Which of these themes you focus on depends on whether you’re more interested in nature, outdoor activities or regional history.
Discover more destinations: Wullowitz, Hirschbach im Mühlkreis, Bad Zell, Sandl, Leopoldschlag, Kaltenberg, Lasberg, Tragwein.
For the full travel overview: Freistadt.
