Description
Shortly after the start, there is an approximately 4 km long ascent on asphalt and gravel over Ginselberg and further on to Reinsberg. The fast descent down to just before Gaming cools the sweat drops, and past the Kartause Gaming, it cycles rhythmically upward to Pfaffenschlag - an asphalt ascent next to the Ötscherland Express, the nostalgic train between Kienberg and Lunz am See. Once in the village, a short detour to the lake (including dining opportunity at the castle tavern at the end of the street) is worthwhile and back.
It continues idyllically along the Ois on a gravel road to Langau and further gently rising to Lackenhof, where you get a great view of the "Father Mountain" Ötscher. It goes into the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park - through forests and later along the Erlauf - far from civilization and traffic.
The last few kilometers lead back along the Erlauf Valley bike path to Scheibbs.
Starting point of the tour
Scheibbs station
Destination point of the tour
Scheibbs station
Route description Gravel tour Ötscherland
From the start at Scheibbs station, follow the "Ginselberg route" (MTB trekking tour) - an approximately 4 km long ascent, first on asphalt, then on gravel. Then follows a relatively long section on asphalt - you leave the Ginselberg route towards Hirmhof and shortly after reach the summit of Reinsberg or the intersection with L6155. Some quite tight curves on pothole-ridden asphalt (CAUTION!!!) characterize the descent down into the Erlauf valley up to just before Gaming.
A stretch on the Erlauf valley bike path through Gaming and past the Kartause before you leave the main road on the right at the beginning of the ascent towards Pfaffenschlag. A rhythmic, not too steep asphalt ascent follows - the descent to Lunz am See also has this character.
Quickly to the lake and back (very worthwhile!!) and after the village, turn towards Lackenhof, where you cycle - initially on asphalt, then over a narrow bridge to a gravel path - always along the Ois (=upper course of the Ybbs) flat. You go through Langau and follow the MTB signage "Ötscher Trekking Tour" and reach the Ötscher village Lackenhof 4 km later.
After the village round, a short ascent to Raneck (asphalt) follows, and immediately after, a long, partly quite steep (caution!) descent on gravel down to the Erlauf. You cycle downstream along it until the intersection with the Erlauf valley bike path and follow this for the last kilometers back to Scheibbs.
