Grand tour of castles and churches
4713 Gallspach
The Great Castles and Churches Tour includes five interesting castles and eight churches worth seeing over a distance of almost 40 kilometers. The tour covers a total of 130 meters in altitude and is easily manageable by e-bike. If you would like a greater sporting challenge, you can also cycle the route.
There are several rest and refreshment stops along the way.
Bikes and e-bikes can be hired from the Bad Schallerbach tourist information office.
Next to Parz Castle is the Parz Castle Gallery, which was first mentioned in documents as "Veste Parz" in the 14th century. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1820, which is why only remnants of the former moated castle remain. Exhibitions of works by local and international artists are regularly held in the gallery rooms.
Once you have inspected both castles, the cycle tour can begin. First you cycle to Gallspach, where you can cool off in the natural adventure pool.
The first church worth seeing on this tour is the Catholic parish church in Gallspach. This has existed since 1343, but was redesigned in 2005, with the old church tower and a modern ring-shaped building making the church truly unique.
Your next stop is Gallspach Castle. This is privately owned and can therefore only be admired from the outside. However, the round tower, which has been preserved from the former castle, and the pond-like moat around the castle make it well worth a stop.
Not far away is the Radler-Rast service station, where you can recharge your batteries and those of your e-bike, and the Kiener Chapel, which was built in 1885.
After you have recharged your batteries, the tour leaves Gallspach and the next destination is the parish church of Meggenhofen. The late Gothic church dates from the 14th or 15th century and the characteristic pointed tower roof dates from the 19th century.
The tour continues to Aistersheim.
The first stop here is the Maria Himmelfahrt parish church, built in 1700.
The second stop is the moated castle of Aistersheim, which is considered one of the most beautiful examples of late Renaissance architecture. The castle stands on numerous wooden pilasters and is surrounded by water. The two entrance gates can be reached via the massive wooden bridges. This beautiful building is well worth a visit!
Now the tour takes you to Weibern, to another church worth seeing - the parish church of St. Stephan. This late Gothic church was built around 1500 and the richly decorated high altar, which is the main feature of the church, was most likely created in 1687.
The route continues to Hofkirchen an der Trattnach, where the church is also worth a stop. The original church burned down in 1620 and the baroque church, which can still be admired today, was built between 1712 and 1716.
There are two churches in Taufkirchen an der Trattnach that are well worth a visit. The Church of St. Vitus dates back to the 14th century and was built in the late Gothic period. The parish church of St. Martin was built in the Renaissance style between 1670 and 1680.
From here, the route heads back towards Grieskirchen, first to Tollet Castle. The first fortifications of today's castle were built as early as 1170. The Renaissance style of the castle, which can still be admired in all its glory today, was created at the beginning of the 17th century. The ornately forged fountain in the courtyard and the arcade railings, which date back to the time of construction, are particularly worth seeing. The tower offers an impressive view of the Trattnachtal valley. Today, Tollet Castle houses apartments, the municipal office of Tollet and the district home association. The latter offers a representative cross-section of the district's cultural heritage, the Upper Austrian Provincial Bee Museum and a Wagner Museum in Tollet Castle. The premises are also used for various exhibitions and events.
On the way to the town center of Grieskirchen to the parish church , you will pass the Schwibbogen with its baroque fresco, which was erected in 1604. The church was first mentioned in a document in 1075 and its exterior was thoroughly renovated at the end of the 20th century. It is definitely worth seeing both from the outside and the inside. The associated tomb monument of Sigmund von Polheim and his wife Potentiana is an art-historical rarity from the 16th century.
From here, the route takes you back to the Parz castles.
On the way, you will pass numerous inns, cafés and restaurants, which invite you to linger and enjoy a refreshment.
Free cycle map available at the tourist information offices in Bad Schallerbach and Gallspach
Paths covering:
further information:
- Circular route
- Possible accommodation
- Board possible
by car:
On the A8 coming from Passau, exit Meggenhofen/Gallspach.
On the A8 coming from Linz, exit Meggenhofen/Gallspach
Federal road:
On the B 135 in the direction of Grieskirchen
by train:
Exit stations: Wels or Grieskirchen, then by bus to Gallspach
free of charge
- Free entry
- Suitable for groups
- Suitable for schools
- Suitable for seniors
- Suitable for families
- Suitable for friends
- Suitable for couples
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
Please get in touch for more information.
Hauptplatz 8
4713 Gallspach
Phone +43 7248 62375
E-Mail info@vitalwelt.at
Web www.vitalwelt.at
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1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.
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We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.
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The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.
2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.
The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.
The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.
3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.
We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.
4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:
Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.
a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.
b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.
c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).
It is obligatory to provide first aid!
d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!
Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.
e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.
f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.
g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!
h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!
i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.
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