EV13 Stage 1: Gmünd – Litschau
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Cycling tour Starting from Gmünd
Start: Gmünd / Finish: Litschau
Start: Gmünd / Finish: Litschau
The former Kuenringer town of Gmünd presents itself to its visitors with a multifaceted offer. The Old Town Hall dominates Gmünd's town square, which offers a magnificent view of the unique sgraffito houses and a wonderful ambience for strolling and lingering. The entire town square is now a listed area. Until 1989, the Iron Curtain divided the two towns of Gmünd and České Velenice. Gmünd was a divided city, similar to Berlin. Except that there was no wall between Gmünd and Ceske Velenice, but a barbed wire fence and watchtowers. The border ran through the middle of the town, sometimes even through houses, and the route leads north from Gmünd.
Please don't forget your passport!
The first stage is just right for beginners, as it runs along a pleasant, flat route to Brand-Nagelberg. You’ll come across the narrow-gauge railroad tracks time and again; these lead to Litschau and are still operated by diesel locomotives in the summer between Altnagelberg and Heidenreichstein. You can then marvel at traditional craftsmanship in the glass art village of Brand-Nagelberg. Here, you can follow the journey of the glass from the furnace to the finished product. Afterward, the route—rich in forests and featuring a beautifully varied landscape—leads via Finsternau to Austria’s northernmost town, Litschau, where you can relax wonderfully after your bike ride at the Herrensee beach.