Kleinzell im Mühlkreis lies in the southeastern granite highlands between the Große Mühl and the Diesenbach. Valley trails and viewpoints, a loop around the town centre, a bathing lake and traces of culture around Gneisenau Castle offer different ways to shape your stay. If you are looking for accommodation, you can start by asking yourself whether you mainly want to hike, discover art along the way, go on a cycling tour or get to know the town better.
Landscape between river, valley and views from the heights
Hiking trails run through the valleys of Kleinzell and across the surrounding hills. They offer relaxation away from major transport routes. From Edhügel, the panoramic view extends south across the Danube towards the Alps and north towards the Bohemian Forest. This brings two contrasting landscapes into view: the south, with the Danube and the Alps in the distance, and the north, with the Bohemian Forest.
Resilacke, also known as Resi-Lacke, is a bathing lake on the site of a former granite quarry in the municipality. The Mühltal Bridge above the valley of the Große Mühl offers a very different perspective on the valley: it opened in 1991, is around 100 metres high and 300 metres long, and is currently Upper Austria’s largest bridge.
Local trails, art and a challenging hike
The Zeller Runde is a well-marked 1.9-kilometre circular trail around the town centre. Places to rest and relax, as well as a newly built giant swing with far-reaching views, are among its notable features. It makes a good short walk in town and is distinct from “Von Wegen... Kunst”: this themed circular hiking trail is 6 kilometres long and includes around 20 stops.
At the stops along “Von Wegen... Kunst,” you’ll encounter various art objects made of wood, stone or textiles. They invite you not only to look, but also to create, alter and playfully interact with them. If you’re planning a challenging hike, the Großer Mühltalweg is another option: this circular trail starts in Kleinzell, crosses the Mühltal Bridge and runs through the valley of the Große Mühl. Check the latest route details before setting out.
A cycling tour is also described: the MTB-Mühltal-Runde starts at Kleinzell’s town square and passes Resilacke and the Partenstein power station. The tours therefore differ in both mode of travel and trail character, while the lake, bridge and valley each provide their own points of reference in the landscape.
Gneisenau Castle and the chapel
Gneisenau Castle is a former moated castle and is now a care home for older people run by Rohrbach District. Features that have been preserved include a three-storey tower with a Gothic drawbridge gate and onion dome, as well as a Renaissance loggia in the small courtyard. Because of later structural alterations, little of the original complex remains visible from the outside.
The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk stands in front of the castle’s main entrance. It is thought to date from around 1730 and is one of the oldest chapels of its kind. The castle and chapel thus offer a historical counterpoint to routes that focus on the landscape and outdoor activities.
Getting here and planning your stay
Take the Western Railway to Linz, then continue on the Mühlkreisbahn to Kleinzell station. From there, travel onward by bus or taxi. Check the latest timetables before your journey. Maps of hiking and cycling trails are available at Kleinzell Municipal Office.
Your planned activities can help guide your choice of holiday apartment: the Zeller Runde stays close to the town centre, the art trail combines hiking with around 20 stops, and the Großer Mühltalweg is explicitly described as challenging. The cycling tour starts at the town square. These differences can help you plan your stay around the activities you actually want to do.
Discover more destinations: Guglwald, Schwarzenberg am Böhmerwald, Julbach, Untermühl, Godersdorf, Schlägl, Arnreit, Neufelden.
Back to the overview of destinations: Rohrbach.
