01 - Overview
The Pielach Valley Cycle Path follows the river Pielach for some 55 kilometres from its mouth on the Danube at Melk upstream into the „Dirndltal“ to Loich. Almost level and gently climbing throughout, from Ober-Grafendorf running side by side with the Mariazellerbahn railway - one of the most relaxed family routes in the Mostviertel.
The start is the abbey town of Melk on the Danube, where the Pielach Valley path branches off the Danube Cycle Path and follows the Pielach inland. Through the open lower valley via Loosdorf and Prinzersdorf you reach Ober-Grafendorf; from here the path rolls up the narrowing valley alongside the narrow-gauge Mariazellerbahn, the “Himmelstreppe”. A gentle climb leads past Hofstetten-Grünau to Rabenstein an der Pielach with its castle ruin, on via Kirchberg to Loich. The valley owes its nickname “Dirndltal“ to the Dirndl, the cornelian cherry, whose spring blossom and whose juices and spirits shape the region. Because there is little climbing and the railway runs parallel almost the whole way, the route is easily ridden one way and returned by train - ideal for families and leisure cyclists.
- Regions
- Lower Austria
- Start
- Melk
- Finish
- Loich
- Surface
- Paved
- Network
- Regional
- Best season
- April - October
- Signposting
- fully signposted
- Families
- well suited
- Road-bike friendly
- Yes · Fully pavedwell documented
100 % paved, effectively paved throughout.
02 - Stages
3 stages · 55 km
01Melk - Ober-GrafendorfLoosdorf · Haunoldstein · Prinzersdorf29 km
Away from Melk Abbey and the Danube Cycle Path into the open lower Pielach valley: on field and side roads through Loosdorf and Prinzersdorf to Ober-Grafendorf, the gateway to the Mariazellerbahn. Almost level, quiet, an easy start.
- Ascent
- 95 m
- Descent
- 28 m
- Duration
- 2-2.5 h
- Surface
- Paved · gravel
Surface (measured): paved
02Ober-Grafendorf - Rabenstein an der PielachHofstetten-Grünau · Weinburg15 km
Now the “Himmelstreppe“ railway keeps the path company: a gentle climb up the narrowing valley to Rabenstein an der Pielach, watched over by its castle ruin. Shaded riverside stretches and recurring views of the narrow-gauge line.
- Ascent
- 78 m
- Descent
- 17 m
- Duration
- 1-1.5 h
- Surface
- Paved
Surface (measured): paved
03Rabenstein an der Pielach - LoichKirchberg an der Pielach11 km
The quiet finish in the upper Dirndltal: via Kirchberg with its model-railway museum up to Loich. More wooded, more peaceful, with the Pielach as a constant companion - an end point with a station for an easy return.
- Ascent
- 69 m
- Descent
- 11 m
- Duration
- 1 h
- Surface
- Paved · gravel
Surface (measured): paved
03 - Elevation
Elevation across the full distance - move the cursor to read altitude and kilometre.
Elevation profile over 55 km. Ascent 242 m, descent 56 m. Lowest point 211 m, highest point 399 m.
Elevation from OSM geometry + Digital Terrain Model (DGM) Austria (10 m).
Hover the profile to see the point on the map - and vice versa.
04 - POIs & Services
- Melk Abbey (UNESCO)
- Mariazellerbahn “Himmelstreppe”
- Dirndltal & cornelian-cherry blossom
- Rabenstein castle ruin
- Pielachtalbad lido
- Model-railway museum & gothic church
- Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park (excursion)
- Pielach river landscape
Services along the route
- Bett+BikeCyclist-friendly hosts in the Pielach valley and Mostviertel
- E-bikeRental and charging, including in Kirchberg an der Pielach and at inns
- Bike serviceBike shops and repair in the Mostviertel
- Refreshment stopsMost (cider) taverns and Dirndl specialities (juice, schnapps) along the valley
- Rail & bikeRide out or roll back with the Mariazellerbahn from Ober-Grafendorf
Service points along the route
- Drinking water12
- Repair station1
- Bike rental1
- Charging station27
Service points from OpenStreetMap. Coverage may be incomplete, some fountains are seasonal - verify before you rely on them.
05 - Impressions
The paved Pielachtal cycle path runs between meadows and pasture fences from Schwerbach toward Kirchberg an der Pielach into the valley.Photo: Pielachtal-Radweg between Schwerbach and Kirchberg an der Pielach · GT1976 · CC BY-SA 4.0 The cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Pielach river at Kirchberg an der Pielach.Photo: Cycle and footbridge over the Pielach at Kirchberg · Herzi Pinki · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Pielach river with the Rabenstein weir in the valley the cycle path follows.Photo: Pielach river with the Rabenstein weir · Herzi Pinki · CC BY-SA 4.0
06 - Public transit
- Mariazellerbahn (Himmelstreppe)Narrow-gauge St. Pölten-Mariazell through the whole upper valley; bike day ticket (about €5) with seat reservation, around 10 bikes per train
- ÖtscherbärWeekend excursion train (about May-October) with a dedicated bike wagon (around 30 bikes)
- ÖBB to St. PöltenWestbahn hub St. Pölten, change to the Mariazellerbahn at the narrow-gauge platform
- Reaching MelkÖBB or the Danube Cycle Path to Melk at the western end of the valley
The railway along the valley makes the Pielach route especially relaxed: ride up and take the Mariazellerbahn back (or the other way round). In peak season reserve a bike space; check the current Mariazellerbahn timetable before setting out.
07 - GPX & TCX download
Download for GPS devices & apps
Clean track with elevation - imports as a single tour, compatible with Komoot, Garmin, Wahoo, Strava, RideWithGPS, OsmAnd.
Download stages individually (3)
Route derived from OpenStreetMap geometry - may differ slightly from on-the-ground signage. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) · Elevation © DGM Austria (CC BY 3.0 AT). Redistribute with attribution.