Untermühl lies in the wooded gorge of the upper Danube, where the Große Mühl flows into the Danube. The riverside setting and history also shape the activities: the Mühltalweg reaches the village, while a cycling route crosses the river mouth and climbs 300 metres to the granite highlands. This gives you a choice of different ways to plan your day—a leisurely hike through the wooded valley, a cycling tour with a climb, or insights into the history of granite and shipping. You can base your choice on the kind of day you prefer.

Hiking and Cycling Around Untermühl

The Mühltalweg is an easy hike through the wooded valley of the Große Mühl and reaches Untermühl at its mouth on the Danube. The Donausteig also has a starting point here: “Untermühl” is located in the car park in front of the traditional Ernst inn. This makes it easy to identify the route’s starting point on site.

The R1.08 Danube–Granite Loop starts at the Untermühl boat landing, crosses the mouth of the Große Mühl and then climbs 300 metres to the plateau of the Mühlviertel Granite Highlands. The tours are therefore quite different: the Mühltalweg is an easy hike through the wooded valley, while the Granite Loop includes a river crossing and a climb. Stage 1 of the Granite Beer Route begins in the harbour village of Untermühl. A ride into the Große Mühltal is suggested as a warm-up.

In Untermühl, you can use the Untermühl–Kaiserhof–Bremsberg cable ferry to cross the missing section of the Mühltal Cycle Route. Ferry service may depend on water conditions. Check before setting out whether the crossing is possible for your planned tour.

River History and a New Beginning

Around 1200, Untermühl was established as a settlement of the lordly fishermen and ferrymen of Neuhaus Castle. In the 18th and 19th centuries, during timber rafting, up to 130,000 cubic metres of logs were stacked in Untermühl. At that time, the terminus of the Schwarzenberg timber-flume canal was located at the mouth of the Große Mühl on the Danube. Neuhaus granite was loaded onto ships in Untermühl for onward transport. The village also has a long tradition as a supply point for Danube shipping. The Schlosstaverne in Untermühl has been owned by the Ernst family since 1594.

A major change followed in 1964: during construction of the Aschach Danube power station, Alt-Untermühl was demolished and flooded. Untermühl was rebuilt on reclaimed land. The village’s history thus encompasses both the transport of timber and granite and this fundamental new beginning in its built environment.

Granite, Culture and Views

Nearby Plöcking is home to the Natural Stone Educational Trail and the Hammer Mill, both part of the Granite Experience World. The Hammer Mill is a small museum with film screenings and craft demonstrations. Another nearby option is the Feldbahn Trail, a half-day tour offering insights into the world of granite and its transport in the 19th century. The Kettenturm Danube Viewpoint offers views over the Danube Valley; the Kettenturm is said to be the only toll tower along the Danube still standing.

Discover more destinations: Hörbich, Lembach im Mühlkreis, Sankt Stefan am Walde, Berg bei Rohrbach, Sankt Veit im Mühlkreis, Neufelden, Sankt Ulrich im Mühlkreis, Julbach.

Return to the main travel overview: Rohrbach.